Years of miscommunication, an everlasting will-they-won’t they and intimate scenes full of passionate chemistry are the common denominators between Normal People (2020) and Heated Rivalry (2025). But although the shows initially gripped audiences through their overtly sexual themes, they encapsulate so much more than this: the difficulty of relationships that those around them wouldn’t necessarily approve of, abuse and mental health issues, to name a few.

On the surface, these two book-to-TV adaptations have a lot in common. Both have inspired a cult following and binge-watching frenzy, with fans obsessing over the actors’ relationships and a rapid onslaught of TikTok videos and edits. But are they comparable? And can Heated Rivalry really be said to be the new Normal People?

Fresh Faces, Finally

I am surely not the only person sick of seeing Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney on my screen (not least because of the controversies so often wound up with these celebrities). There is something refreshing about lesser-known actors being cast in book-to-screen adaptations rather than the usual Hollywood faces, both Heated Rivalry and Normal People benefit from this massively.

Audiences are not caught up in memories of the actors’ previous performances, so there is nothing to distract from the events of the show or inhibit its immersive potential, which explains why Heated Rivalry has followed in Normal People’s footsteps.

Soundtrack

It is also crucial for a show to be re-watchable, its soundtrack must be fitting, memorable and original. We can see this in Heated Rivalry, with stand-out tracks being ‘My Moon My Man’ by Feist, ‘I’ll Believe In Anything’ by Wolf Parade and a male cover of ‘All the Things She Said’ by t.A.T.u., as well as stellar original tracks that seem to be cut from the same cloth as those from the 2024 film Challengers.

Normal People on the other hand features a much more sombre soundtrack, fitting for the slower lifestyle of their fictional Irish town, Carricklea, compared to the intense ice-hockey battles around the US and Canada in Heated Rivalry. ‘Hide and Seek’ by Imogen Heap and ‘La Lune’ by Billie Marten really showcase this, and the relative novelty and use of non-mainstream songs in both shows allow somewhat smaller artists to shine.

Celebration of Identity

Of course, the main difference between the two shows is their relationships. Heated Rivalry explores the struggles of queer men within the hyper-masculine space of ice hockey – at a time when despite same-sex marriage being legal, LGBTQ+ individuals still faced adversity, stigma and discrimination.

The show, despite the author, Rachel Reid, worrying it would be ‘too steamy for TV’ (BBC, 2024) and discussions taking place as to whether women’s love for the show is supportive or fetishising, is much more than just sex.

It explores the difficulties of coming out to families, especially through Ilya’s experience, whose Russian family are homophobic and sometimes abusive. The show also heavily implies that Shane is neurodivergent, and fans believe this will be further explored in later seasons.

Normal People depicts a heterosexual relationship and similarly does not shy away from on-screen sex, but it also shines a devastating light on mental health struggles e.g. Connell’s experience of depression at university, toxic masculinity and the difficulty of being in a relationship that most people around you wouldn’t approve of.

Like Ilya, Marianne’s relationship with her family is strained and additionally she suffers an abusive relationship with a boyfriend. As the title suggests, the show is not full of elaborate plot twists and dramatic red herrings; it depicts a reality that many viewers can relate to.

Heated Rivalry is not as relatable per se, considering its characters are top-class celebrity athletes. Nonetheless, it echoes Normal People’s concern with the struggles of daily life and appeals to the masses.

Classic Romance Tropes – or are they?

Heated Rivalry, despite the title, is anything but a Booktok lover’s dream of an immediately intense enemies-to-lovers romance. Shane and Ilya’s rivalry is barely even lukewarm – their desire for each other, and soon enough deep care and concern for each other, is what fans live for.

Just like in Normal People, the couple struggle to communicate the gravity of their feelings for each other, instead spending years in a secret situationship. The shows depict the reality of how hard it is to speak up and defy expectations, which I’m sure resonates with many people.

But Heated Rivalry embodies what Normal People couldn’t. It fills audiences with hope that the one you love, no matter how much time passes or how many of your darkest moments they’ve seen… will always love you back. While Normal People ends with a loving separation and an emphasis on the importance of self-growth, Heated Rivalry depicts the couple stronger together, with no promise of a breakup.

Final Thoughts

So yes, Heated Rivalry and Normal People have a lot in common that make them both successful. But it is not fair to say Heated Rivalry is the ‘new’ Normal People. Its primary focus is on the struggles of queer relationships, and it shows audiences that queer joy is possible within mainstream media and in real life.

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