Dan Levy compares ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Heated Rivalry’ success, says Canada backed before Hollywood caught on

The actor and producer urged the industry to support more LGBTQ+ storytellers rather than chase past successes

Dan Levy used a major LGBTQ+ celebration in Los Angeles to highlight the importance of investing in queer voices, while reflecting on the success of both Schitt’s Creek and the breakout hockey romance series Heated Rivalry.

Speaking at the Critics Choice Association’s third annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television on May 29, Levy was honoured alongside a number of LGBTQ+ performers and creatives, including Hannah Einbinder, Noah Schnapp, Jane Lynch and Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney.

During his speech, Levy discussed the pressures often placed on queer creators and the expectation that projects featuring LGBTQ+ stories must succeed in order to justify future opportunities. He expressed hope for a future where queer artists can create without carrying the burden of representing an entire community.

Levy argued that the entertainment industry frequently underestimates audience demand until a project becomes an undeniable hit. Pointing to both Schitt’s Creek and Heated Rivalry, he noted that each series found early support in Canada before attracting wider international attention.

The Emmy winner said both shows existed because Canadian decision makers recognised their value first. He added that the lesson from their success was not that studios should search for identical programmes, but that they should invest more resources into original queer voices and creators.

Levy’s comments arrive as Heated Rivalry continues to build a passionate fan base. Adapted from Rachel Reid’s bestselling novel, the series has become one of the most talked about LGBTQ+ television successes of recent years. Demand for a second season remains high, and creator Jacob Tierney used a video message during the event to reassure fans that work on new episodes is continuing.

Tierney told attendees he was working hard on season two and hoped to deliver it to audiences as quickly as possible. The update was welcomed by viewers who have eagerly awaited news about the show’s future following its strong debut.

Elsewhere during the ceremony, Noah Schnapp reflected on his experience portraying Will Byers throughout the run of Stranger Things. Schnapp explained that Will’s journey involving identity, loneliness and coming out became increasingly personal for him over the years. He said that publicly coming out at the age of 18 helped him realise how closely his own experiences mirrored those of the character.

Hannah Einbinder was also recognised during the event. The Hacks star spoke about the significance of authentic queer storytelling and described her character Ava Daniels as one she felt proud to represent. Her remarks came shortly after the conclusion of the acclaimed comedy’s run.

Levy’s speech ultimately served as both a celebration and a challenge to the entertainment industry. While acknowledging the success of groundbreaking shows such as Schitt’s Creek and Heated Rivalry, he stressed that genuine progress will come from creating more opportunities for diverse LGBTQ+ storytellers rather than relying on a handful of standout hits.