Television Critics Association Awards: ‘Heated Rivalry’ named program of the year

It wasn’t a prestige juggernaut that critics had forecast for months — it was a Canadian hockey romance that caught fire. The Television Critics Association named Heated Rivalry its Program of the Year at the 42nd TCA Awards, a top-shelf win for a series that streams in the U.S. on HBO Max after first airing in Canada.

• Other Program of the Year nominees: The Comeback , Hacks, Industry, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, last year’s winner The Pitt, Pluribus , Shrinking and Widow’s Bay.

Adapted from Rachel Reid’s novels, the series centers on rival pros Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov — played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie — whose secret relationship simmers beneath the on-ice feud. The romance is the point, but the show’s cat-and-mouse secrecy gives it a tension that critics have obsessed over since premiere.

Heading into the ceremony, Heated Rivalry tied for the most nominations with Industry and Widow’s Bay at five apiece. Hacks, The Pitt and Pluribus followed with four nominations each.

The Television Critics Association named Heated Rivalry Program of the Year at its 42nd awards.

Widow’s Bay’s big haul

While Heated Rivalry took the marquee prize, Widow’s Bay was the night’s most decorated series, winning three TCA Awards for Apple TV+.

• Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
• Outstanding New Program
• Individual Achievement in Comedy — Kate O’Flynn

Created by Katie Dippold, the horror- comedy’s uneasy supernatural vibe mixed with sharp humor made it an immediate critics’ darling. It also landed an acting nomination for Matthew Rhys and matched the nomination lead with five overall, alongside Heated Rivalry and Industry.

The split made for a tidy snapshot of the year: Heated Rivalry claimed the TCA’s top honor, and Widow’s Bay walked away with the largest trophy count of the night.