François Arnaud, star of the hit series “Heated Rivalry,” recently shared an exciting tidbit about receiving a congratulatory message from Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt. This acknowledgment comes as the series has gained significant traction and acclaim since its release in late November 2025.
During his appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Arnaud revealed that Hunt reached out to him after watching the show. “Helen Hunt slid into my DM yesterday,” he disclosed, prompting a curious response from Cohen about what she said. Arnaud explained, “She said, ‘I love you in this and everything else.’ Which means she’s, like, going through my filmography.”
When asked if he replied to Hunt’s message, the 40-year-old actor playfully remarked, “Nope,” before quickly confirming that he indeed responded.
Hunt’s admiration for the show has been evident beyond her direct message. Just days prior, she took to Instagram to express her enthusiasm, posting a scene from “Heated Rivalry” and praising the talented cast. Her energetic caption read: “This f#%king show is incredible. They are so good. What is happening!!??!!!”
The journey of “Heated Rivalry” has been remarkable. Premiering on November 28, 2025, the show initially struggled to gain viewers, recording only 30 million streaming minutes on HBO Max at its launch. Yet, by the end of its first season, its popularity soared, reaching a staggering 324 million streaming minutes. Additionally, it achieved the status of the most-watched original series on Bell Media’s Crave platform in Canada.
The series, created by Jacob Tierney, explores the tumultuous relationship between rival ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The cast also includes Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, and Franco Lo Presti, all contributing to the program’s dynamic storytelling and engaging performances.
As “Heated Rivalry” continues to captivate audiences, responses from esteemed figures like Helen Hunt highlight the show’s growing influence in the entertainment industry.