Film

Jacob Tierney’s ‘Heated Rivalry’ Transcended Scripts, Now Explores Its Origins in a New Book

By Rhys Dunbar, Film EditorMarch 8, 20241 note

From hit TV series to a behind-the-scenes script collection, Jacob Tierney’s journey reveals the layered storytelling behind ‘Heated Rivalry’ and its deeply personal roots.

Jacob Tierney’s ‘Heated Rivalry’ began as six scripts inspired by Rachel Reid’s queer ice hockey novel, but it quickly snowballed into a cultural phenomenon on Crave, capturing fans with its mix of toxic masculinity, covert love, and intense rivalry. Now, Tierney has gone beyond the screen, penning ‘I’ll Believe in Anything,’ a detailed collection of annotated scripts and behind-the-scenes insights that serve as a comprehensive guide for fans and aspiring writers alike.

The series, which charts nearly a decade of the tumultuous relationship between Russian prodigy Ilya Rozanov and Canadian star Shane Hollander, hinges on layered memory and emotional nuance. Tierney told IndieWire that his approach was rooted in using memory as a grounding tool, especially in scenes where characters’ recollections feel hazy—a technique that lends the show its intimate, layered texture. He emphasizes that the emotional core of ‘Heated Rivalry’ is deeply personal, drawing from his own understanding of longing, rivalry, and vulnerability. More context: Film.

Tierney’s creative process involves dissecting key scenes to understand their emotional impact. He describes how he crafted moments that juxtapose toxic masculinity with tender yearning, making the series resonate on multiple levels. His detailed annotations in ‘I’ll Believe in Anything’ reveal how each line, gesture, and shot was meticulously designed to evoke authenticity and emotional depth, giving fans a rare glimpse into the scriptwriting process. More context: Film.

The release of ‘I’ll Believe in Anything’ coincides with the start of production on Season 2, as Tierney prepares to bring more of Reid’s story to life. The book, which includes exclusive behind-the-scenes content, acts as a script bible for ‘Heated Rivalry’ devotees. Tierney’s insights clarify how the show’s emotional architecture was built, emphasizing memory, body language, and unspoken tension. This behind-the-scenes look underscores Tierney’s reputation as a meticulous storyteller whose work balances visceral emotion with nuanced character development.

FilmIndie film