Montreal Star Sophie Nélisse Astonished by Heated Rivalry's Phenomenal Success
Montreal actress Sophie Nélisse remains in awe of the unexpected global triumph of the steamy gay hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, which she describes as a groundbreaking show that honors queer relationships like no other program on television.
A Surreal Encounter with the Prime Minister
In a recent interview, Nélisse revealed she was still processing the surreal experience of meeting Prime Minister Mark Carney, who showered effusive praise on the Canadian series. "Meeting the prime minister was a bit surreal," Nélisse confessed. "I was texting all my friends about it so casually. They're like, 'Where are you in the world right now?' and I'm like, 'Oh I just needed to pop into Ottawa for a second to meet the prime minister.'"
The actress, who plays Hollywood actress Rose Landry in the series, emphasized that none of the cast anticipated the show's overnight success. "I don't think any of us expected this overnight success. That's definitely not why I did the show," she stated during an interview at Entract Films' Old Montreal offices.
Groundbreaking Representation in Canadian Television
Nélisse believes the show's remarkable resonance stems from its authentic portrayal of gay relationships and its refreshing departure from typical television content. "I can't think of any other show that dives in so deeply to gay representation on screen and honours queer relationships," she asserted. "There's something so pure and honest and real about it. And it gives a voice to a community that hasn't really been seen before."
The Montreal-born actress highlighted how the series offers much-needed hope and levity during challenging times. "There's so much darkness in the world right now and the stakes seem so high," she observed. "So I think people wanted some hope and levity and something that made them feel good. I think that's what this show offers."
The Canadian Essence of Heated Rivalry
Prime Minister Carney praised the series for its distinctly Canadian character, celebrating what makes the nation different. The show features numerous Canadian elements:
- A central hockey rivalry between Montreal and Boston teams
- Scenes set in Montreal, though filmed in Hamilton and Guelph
- A soundtrack featuring numerous Quebec artists
- Based on gay hockey romance novels by Halifax author Rachel Reid
Series creator Jacob Tierney, a former Montrealer, chose to produce the show in Canada after Hollywood attempted to tone down its content. The series was financed by Bell Media's streaming service Crave, which has received significant praise for taking a chance on the edgy production.
Nélisse's Career and Character Development
Nélisse, who first gained recognition at age 11 in the Oscar-nominated film Monsieur Lazhar, sees Rose Landry as a particularly meaningful character. "I love the character," she expressed. "People root for Rose and she's a great ally of the LGBTQ community."
The actress hinted at potential developments for her character in the upcoming second season, suggesting Rose might play a larger role and possibly even star in a lesbian spinoff. "I'd like to see a lesbian spinoff with Rose having an affair with Svetlana Sergeevna Vetrova," she mentioned, perhaps with tongue in cheek.
The New Wave of French-Canadian Talent
Nélisse represents part of a growing wave of French-Canadian actors achieving international recognition, alongside her Heated Rivalry co-star François Arnaud and Théodore Pellerin. She attributes their success to their authentic approach to acting. "I think it's so refreshing to see actors who are not cookie-cutter American stereotypes," Nélisse remarked. "There's something maybe honest about us, there's something less desperate and less about Hollywood and the industry. We just come as we are."
Despite the show's massive popularity transforming co-stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie into global stars, Nélisse maintains a grounded perspective on her experience. "The amount of love we've been receiving, I've welcomed it with open arms," she said, reflecting on what she describes as "just crazy" phenomenon that continues to surprise everyone involved with the groundbreaking series.
