Why Connor Storrie Got an Emmy Nod While 'Heated Rivalry' Was Shut Out by Eligibility Rules

Despite becoming a pop culture phenomenon in the past year, the Heated Rivalry television series did not receive any nominations for the 2026 Emmy Awards. However, Connor Storrie was nominated in a category this year, just not for the hockey romance show in which he had a lead role.

The ceremony took place on 14 September, presenting awards to shows such as The Pitt, Beef and Pluribus. So why did Heated Rivalry not receive a single nomination?

Why 'Heated Rivalry' Was Not Eligible for an Emmy Nomination

Heated Rivalry was released between 1 June 2025 and 21 May 2026, the time frame required to be nominated for the Emmys this year. However, in the awards' 'Criteria For Eligibility', it states:

'Foreign television production is ineligible unless it is the result of a co-production (both financially and creatively) between US and foreign partners, which precedes the start of production, and with a purpose to be shown on US television.'

Even though Heated Rivalry was broadcast through HBO Max in the US, the show was financed entirely by Canadian companies, leaving it ineligible to be nominated for the 78th Primetime Emmys. HBO Max acquired the US rights after the series had been produced, rather than being involved as a US co-production partner from the outset.

Despite this, Connor Storrie, who plays Ilya Rozanov in the show, received an Emmy nomination for something entirely different. He was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series after hosting Saturday Night Live in February.

Storrie was absent from the main Emmys, but he attended the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies on 5 and 6 September. A total of 101 categories were awarded across the two ceremonies ahead of the main 19 categories given on 14 September. He did not win in the category for which he was nominated, as Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series was won posthumously by Rob Reiner, who appeared in The Bear.

'Heated Rivalry' Is Still Eligible for the International Emmy Awards

Heated Rivalry isn't out of the race for an Emmy just yet, though. Because the show is a Canadian production, it is still eligible for the International Emmy Awards later in November this year. The Academy also selected Heated Rivalry for the Television Academy Honors Award, a special honour dedicated to television programming that advances positive social change.

Outside of the Emmys, Heated Rivalry has scored a slew of accolades. The series has been nominated 68 times for several awards and won 45 of them in the short time since it premiered.

Connor Storrie, who is an American, was ineligible for consideration at the Canadian Screen Awards due to a rule change which restricts eligibility to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The show would have also needed to wait until the 15th Canadian Screen Awards in 2027 for consideration due to premiering two weeks after the eligibility cutoff date for the awards.

However, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television acknowledged that the producers submitted a request for consideration via the appeals process. The Academy granted the request, and Heated Rivalry won 16 of its 19 categories, including Best Drama Series.

Season 2 of Heated Rivalry is currently in production, and fans of the book adaptation are eagerly anticipating both new and returning characters in the queer hockey romance.