Why Heated Rivalry was not eligible for the 2026 Emmys and why Connor Storrie missed the ceremony

Heated Rivalry was notably absent from the 2026 Emmy Awards despite becoming one of the biggest television hits of the past year. The Canadian series was not eligible for nominations at the Primetime Emmys because of the Academy’s rules surrounding foreign productions.

The series aired between June 1, 2025 and May 21, 2026, putting it within the eligibility window for the 78th Emmy Awards. However, Emmy rules state that a foreign television production is ineligible unless it is a co-production financially and creatively made with US partners before production begins and intended for US television.

Although Heated Rivalry was available to US audiences through HBO Max, the series was produced and financed by Canadian companies and was not a US-Canadian co-production. As a result, it could not compete at the Primetime Emmys. The series is instead eligible for the International Emmys, which will take place on November 23, 2026.

Connor Storrie, meanwhile, did receive his first Emmy nomination this year, but it was not for his role as Ilya Rozanov in Heated Rivalry. The actor was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting Saturday Night Live in February.

Storrie did attend the Creative Arts Emmy Awards earlier in September and brought his mother, Linda, as his guest. However, he did not win the award, which went posthumously to Rob Reiner for his appearance in The Bear.

While Heated Rivalry missed out on the 2026 Primetime Emmys, the series and its cast could still receive recognition at the International Emmy Awards later this year.