The 78th Emmy Awards nominations have arrived, and as always, they've stirred up plenty of debate. But one of the most jaw-dropping omissions is Heated Rivalry, the HBO Max sensation that took 2025 by storm. Despite being one of the platform's most-watched shows and a pop culture juggernaut on par with KPop Demon Hunters, it didn't land a single nomination. So what gives?
The answer isn't a conspiracy or a quality issue—it's a dry, technical rule. According to Emmy regulations, a series produced outside the U.S. can't compete unless it's financially and creatively co-produced for American television. Heated Rivalry was originally created for Canada's Crave, and its production stays north of the border. That's a stark contrast to Netflix's Lord of the Flies, which qualified thanks to its British production company owned by Sony Pictures Television. For Heated Rivalry, the door was closed before nominations even began.
Don't Cry for Heated Rivalry—It's Cleaning Up Elsewhere
While the Emmys may have snubbed the show, other awards bodies have embraced it with open arms. Earlier this year, Heated Rivalry swept the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, taking home an impressive 16 trophies. It also won Outstanding New TV Series at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, a huge honor for an LGBTQ+ focused series. Clearly, the lack of Emmy love hasn't hurt its momentum.
This awards season success is a reminder that the Emmys aren't the only game in town. The Critics' Choice Television Awards and the Golden Globes often spotlight shows that critics adore. Plus, Heated Rivalry is eligible for the International Emmys later this year, where it will face off against Hulu's Rivals for Best Drama Series. If it keeps winning, it could draw even more viewers—great news for the already-renewed second season.
One Star Brings Heated Rivalry to the Emmys After All
In a twist worthy of the show itself, one of Heated Rivalry's stars did earn an Emmy nomination—but for a different project. Connor Storrie, who plays Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov, is up for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his February stint hosting Saturday Night Live. During the episode, he showed off surprising comedic chops and even reunited with co-star Hudson Williams in a hilarious sketch parodying the series.
Storrie told The Hollywood Reporter that hosting SNL was a dream come true. "It was a formative part of my life growing up, so to be recognized by the Academy for hosting feels incredibly surreal," he said. He's up against heavy hitters like Michael J. Fox (Shrinking) and the late Rob Reiner (The Bear), but his nomination ensures Heated Rivalry has a presence at the ceremony—even if the show itself doesn't.
For fans of the series, the Emmy snub is a letdown, but it's far from a defeat. Heated Rivalry continues to dominate other awards circuits, and with a second season on the way, its cultural impact is only growing. As the show's characters would say, the rivalry isn't over—it's just getting started.
