HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry has ignited a wave of fan fervor since its debut on November 28, 2025, drawing viewers into the simmering romance between rival hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Starring Hudson Williams as Shane and Connor Storrie as Ilya, the six-episode series has been praised by critics for its emotional depth, while social media has exploded with posts celebrating the chemistry between the actors and their characters.

The show, adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel of the same name, follows the high-stakes tension of two competitive athletes navigating both their professional rivalry and a burgeoning personal connection. While much of the series is set on ice rinks, locker rooms, and hockey arenas, the Season 1 finale transports viewers to a dramatically different environment—a sprawling “cottage” where Shane and Ilya finally explore what life together might look like beyond the rink.

Fans quickly noticed that the so-called cottage was far from what many expected. American audiences, accustomed to imagining cozy, modest vacation homes when they hear the word “cottage,” were surprised to discover that the finale’s setting is, in reality, a luxurious lakefront property on Muskoka Lakes in Ontario, Canada. Reid, the book’s author, has explained that in Canadian usage, a “cottage” can refer to anything from a quaint cabin to an elaborate lakeside mansion. “If it’s a secondary property where you go to relax, it’s a cottage… even if it’s basically a small mansion,” she joked during an appearance on the Late Night Scrolling podcast.

The production team found their perfect location in Barlochan Cottage, a property designed by architect Trevor McIvor. The home boasts an expansive, light-filled layout, complete with high ceilings, natural wood tones, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the surrounding Muskoka landscape into every room. Inside, plush furnishings and a cozy granite fireplace provide the ideal environment for the show’s intimate moments. The structure was built as a prefabricated Douglas fir design, with locally sourced materials used to maintain a natural aesthetic. Its design allows for a seamless transition between the outdoor environment and indoor spaces, making it ideal for capturing the sense of privacy and closeness essential to Shane and Ilya’s storyline.

In the series, the cottage becomes a secluded refuge from the pressures of professional hockey. It allows the characters to explore their feelings freely, share vulnerable conversations, and experience private, tender moments away from the eyes of teammates and the public. However, the intimacy is briefly interrupted when Shane’s father inadvertently discovers the couple, forcing them to confront the reality of being outed to family—a pivotal moment in the series that diverges from the book’s ending.

Series creator Jacob Tierney explained that this deviation was intentional. While he sought to maintain the emotional core of Reid’s story, he wanted the finale to feel intimate rather than epilogue-like. “I wanted to replicate the emotions I felt at the end of the book—the happiness Shane and Ilya deserved—without mimicking the exact actions,” Tierney said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. By concluding the story with a quiet, heartfelt conversation rather than a public announcement or press conference, Tierney allowed the series to end on a note of personal resolution and contentment.

The cottage, both in reality and on-screen, has captured fans’ imaginations as much as the chemistry between Williams and Storrie. The lakefront retreat, with its warm interiors and serene surroundings, provides the perfect backdrop for the series’ final emotional beats. For many viewers, it’s not just a set—it’s a symbol of the characters’ newfound freedom and intimacy, a space where their love can exist without judgment or interruption.

In combining breathtaking architecture, lush natural scenery, and nuanced performances, the finale of Heated Rivalry exemplifies how setting can elevate storytelling. The Muskoka cottage is more than a location; it is a character in its own right, enhancing the romance and giving fans a visual and emotional anchor for Shane and Ilya’s journey.