Russell T Davies pushes back on 'Heated Rivalry' being called 'revolutionary'

Davies emphasised that queer storytelling on television has been pushing boundaries for decades, not just recently

Russell T Davies is weighing in on the success of Heated Rivalry, pushing back on claims that the hit queer hockey drama is “revolutionary.”

The Queer as Folk creator addressed comparisons between his groundbreaking 1999 series and the newer show, which has quickly become a global streaming hit.

Davies said he has seen fans suggest that Queer as Folk “walked so Heated Rivalry could run,” but strongly disagreed with that framing. “We were f---ing running from the start!” he said, defending the impact of his earlier work.

While acknowledging the popularity of Heated Rivalry, Davies emphasised that queer storytelling on television has been pushing boundaries for decades, not just in recent years.

Queer as Folk, which followed the lives of gay men in Manchester, is widely credited with helping transform LGBTQ+ representation on television when it first aired.

Davies’ comments highlight an ongoing debate about how modern queer series are positioned in relation to earlier groundbreaking shows, especially as Heated Rivalry continues to gain critical acclaim and a growing global audience.

Despite his critique of the “revolutionary” label, Davies has previously praised the series, signaling both respect for its success and a desire to recognize the legacy of earlier LGBTQ+ storytelling.