BookCon 2026 was packed with fans of ‘Heated Rivalry,’ eager to hear the series creator, Jacob Tierney, and author Rachel Reid, whose books inspired the show. The first panel drew lines well before starting time, with attendees donning t-shirts with actor images and jerseys from the series’ teams. Moderated by Versha Sharma, the discussion covered the collaboration from initial meetings to the show’s impact. Tierney highlighted the rapid adaptation process, noting HBO bought the series before completion. Reid expressed her involvement in script and casting phases. Though actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storie weren’t present, they participated through questions. Tierney emphasized the show’s genuine portrayal of intimacy, using music as a key storytelling element. He’s writing season two, based on Reid’s ‘Long Game,’ while Reid works on ‘Unrivaled’ for 2027. The session ended with consensus on the series’ portrayal of a desirable world.
BookCon 2026: First-Ever Conversation Between ‘Heated Rivalry’ Author Rachel Reid and Show Creator Jacob Tierney
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