London’s missed shot at hosting ‘Heated Rivalry’ production

The City is disappointed they missed out on being a filming location for the hit show Heated Rivalry. CTV London’s Reta Ismail reports.

London’s film industry may have missed out on a major opportunity after coming close to landing scenes from the hit series Heated Rivalry, only for production to move elsewhere due to timing and communication challenges.

The Canadian series, which streams on Crave, was created by Jacob Tierney and is based on novels by Rachel Reid. It follows two professional hockey players who maintain a secret romantic relationship while playing for rival teams.

Although London was considered as a filming location, producers ultimately chose other Ontario cities, including Guelph, where hockey scenes were shot at the Sleeman Centre.

City officials say the missed opportunity came with economic consequences.

Andrew Dodd, the manager of Technology and Creative Industries with the London Economic Development Corporation, said productions of this size bring significant benefits to local communities.

• How ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a global TV player

“They come with a large economic footprint,” Dodd said. “Crews stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and shop locally. And it can turn into a tourism destination.”

Dodd said delays in connecting with property owners and local institutions made it difficult to secure locations within the production’s tight timeline.

“A quick response goes a long way,” he said. “Even if dates don’t work, it’s better to respond than leave people hanging.”

He also notes that many areas near the Greater Toronto Area are becoming overused on screen, while London remains largely untapped by the film industry.

Dodd believes the city offers a wide range of potential settings, from urban streetscapes to rural farmland and historic homes, making it well-suited for film and television productions.

“We have a huge variety of different locations,” he said. “We can double as a bigger city or a smaller town. We just want to make sure that when opportunity knocks, we’re able to answer the door.”

With more productions showing interest in the region, Dodd hopes the experience will serve as a lesson for future projects, emphasizing the importance of quick communication and flexibility.

He says with stronger coordination, London could position itself as a regular destination for film and television crews in the years ahead.