One of my long-standing rules is to read the book before watching the movie. The reason is simple: books usually provide more insight into the characters’ inner lives and help me understand them better. Breaking that rule might explain my experience of Heated Rivalry.
I was won over by Ilya at “Goodnight” in the first episode, but even after watching the entire series twice, I still struggled to understand Shane’s perspective. So I decided to read Rachel Reid’s novel to connect more deeply with both characters.
What surprised me most was not what I discovered in the book, but what I missed from the series. While reading, I kept noticing all the moments I had loved on screen that were nowhere to be found in the novel. I began to see Jacob Tierney’s work as an adaptor.
Going back and forth between the series and the novel, I started noticing the choices that shaped the story on screen—and the quiet lessons behind them.
Lesson 1: Hard Work in Action
In a novel, an author like Rachel Reid can rely on words to guide the reader. With the right descriptions, a writer can make us see, hear, smell, or even feel what the characters are experiencing. The possibilities of a book are almost limitless.
On screen, the challenge is different. Television must work within the constraints of time, budget, and location—and within the unspoken rules of what can or cannot be shown. Feelings cannot always be explained with words; they must be revealed through behavior, gestures, and small interactions.
Scene after scene, turning written emotion into a visible experience requires careful work. Rather than explaining what the characters feel, Jacob Tierney often allows emotion to emerge through small, human moments.
My favorite example comes in the players’ locker room in Episode 2, when J.J.’s misuse of English makes everyone laugh. But Shane doesn’t laugh. He looks confused. The other players continue their light-hearted conversation, completely unaware of Shane’s inner turmoil. His glances, pauses, and subtle reactions reveal to the audience his hesitation about meeting Ilya that night, as well as his fear that his teammates might discover his secret. On the surface, it’s funny—but every tiny gesture carries real emotion, giving the audience insight into his mind and heart.
Jacob Tierney shapes timing, trusts the actors, and orchestrates even the smallest gestures so that emotion emerges naturally, turning a brief, humorous moment into something lived-in and authentic.
Lesson 2: Details Matter
One of my favorite moments occurs in Episode 6. After coming out to Shane’s parents, both men sit down to eat with them. Shane signals with one hand for Ilya to wait before starting, and Ilya obeys—at least for a second. The moment Shane looks away, he swallows a mouthful of spaghetti.
The first time I saw it, I replayed the scene to make sure I hadn’t imagined it. This tiny gesture isn’t in Rachel Reid’s novel, nor is it necessary to the plot. Yet, in those two seconds, I saw them as a couple—and it meant more to me than the “I love you” scene.
Jacob Tierney uses these subtle touches to make their relationship feel real, far removed from the usual formulas of fast-food romance. And I believe that is what gives the moment its truth and allows it to resonate with the audience.
Lesson 3: See the Light in People and Give It Space to Shine
The fearless and talented actors chosen to bring Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rosanov (Connor Storrie) to life played a major role in bringing Jacob Tierney’s vision to the screen—but they were far from the only contributors.
What I loved most about Heated Rivalry was the soundtrack by Peter Peter. I surprised myself by noticing it—I usually don’t. Yet the music spoke to me as strongly as the dialogue or the visuals, playing a meaningful role every step of the way.
A significant part of Jacob Tierney’s success seems to come from his ability to surround himself with the right people—and to give them the space to bring their own creativity to the project.
Allowing people to be fully themselves is, in my view, one of the best ways to unlock their potential. A good leader needs to create an environment where actors and collaborators feel free to follow their instincts while still serving a larger vision.
I remember seeing an interview with Jacob Tierney (I wish I had saved it) in which he explained that the staircase kiss (Episode 2) was softer than he had originally planned. But when he saw how the actors played the moment, he realized how powerful it was and chose to trust their instincts and keep it.
The quality of his leadership seems to show not only in the success of the series itself, but also in the visible camaraderie between the cast and him on social media.
I’m curious to see what challenges he will face as he leads the team into the next season of Heated Rivalry, now that his lead actors are stepping further into the spotlight and no longer working entirely under his protective guidance.
The Long Game
I’m grateful to Jacob Tierney for showing me the invisible work that brings a story to life—the careful adaptation of words into images, the small human details that reveal character, and the creative vision that allows everyone involved to shine.
Storytelling isn’t just about what happens on the page or screen—it’s about the thought, care, and creativity behind every choice. Experiencing the series, reading the book, and noticing how they connect taught me to appreciate it all.
While reading The Long Game (the sequel), I found myself imagining the opening scene of the next season. I closed the book and turned off the screen, but the small, human moments Tierney has shaped lingered, making me wonder how the next season will bring them to life again.
LittéralementMarie 