'Heartstopper' stars Kit Connor and Joe Locke admit they still haven't watched 'Heated Rivalry'

Heartstopper stars Kit Connor and Joe Locke have confessed that they still haven't watched HBO's breakout hockey romance Heated Rivalry, despite the series becoming one of television's biggest queer hits.

Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Weekly while promoting Netflix's Heartstopper Forever, the actors admitted they have simply been too busy to catch up with the viral drama starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams.

Locke acknowledged that the omission probably sounds surprising to fans.

"It's terrible," he joked, explaining that he and Connor have yet to find the time to watch the series.

Although they haven't seen the show, Locke said he would love the opportunity to meet stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams because he believes the casts likely share similar experiences.

"We probably have very similar experiences," Locke said, referring to the sudden global attention that comes with fronting a successful queer romance series.

Connor agreed, noting that both productions have developed passionate fan communities despite telling very different kinds of love stories. While Heartstopper has become known for its heartfelt coming-of-age romance, Heated Rivalry has earned acclaim for its more mature, emotionally intense portrayal of a secret relationship between rival professional hockey players.

The interview comes as Heartstopper reaches its conclusion with the release of Heartstopper Forever, the feature-length finale that wraps up Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring's journey after three acclaimed seasons on Netflix.

Meanwhile, Heated Rivalry continues to build momentum following its breakout first season. HBO has already renewed the series for a second season, which is expected to premiere in spring 2027.

Although Connor and Locke haven't yet watched the hockey romance, their comments reflect the growing impact of queer-led television in recent years. Both Heartstopper and Heated Rivalry have cultivated devoted global fanbases while placing LGBTQ+ relationships at the centre of their stories, albeit with very different tones and audiences.

For now, Connor and Locke remain focused on saying goodbye to the characters that launched their careers, but judging by their interview, Heated Rivalry has officially earned a place on their watchlist.