Jacob Tierney Created 'Heated Rivalry’

Key Points:

• Jacob Tierney, creator, writer, and director of the hit Crave series "Heated Rivalry," discusses his writing process and the adaptation of Rachel Reid’s queer ice hockey novel into a beloved show about rival players Shane and Ilya.
• The show uses memory as a narrative framework, blending reflection and imagination to explore the characters' internal struggles and relationship, with body language playing a key role in conveying emotions beyond dialogue.
• Tierney reveals deleted scenes and the selective storytelling approach focused tightly on Shane and Ilya’s relationship, emphasizing a ruthless editing process to keep the narrative centered on their emotional journey.
• The recently released book "I’ll Believe in Anything" offers annotated scripts and behind-the-scenes content, providing fans with insights into the show's creation, including rewrites, actor contributions, and setting up for Season 2.
• Tierney highlights the collaborative nature of the production, encouraging actors to bring their characters to life with personal nuance, which contributed to some of the show’s most memorable unscripted moments.