If you haven’t seen Heated Rivalry or haven’t discussed it in some way, you may find yourself in a new and interesting minority. Especially since it’s all anyone is talking about.
Jacob Tierney’s adaptation of Rachel Reid’s book series has become such a sensation, it has made stars of its two leads, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, the latter of whom hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live just a couple weeks ago.
The show’s success has stretched far beyond the series itself. It has also reminded the industry just how important Toronto is. Aside from the huge amount of talent that comes from north of the border, there’s also all the filming that’s done there, and the below-the-line talent, production companies and agencies that facilitate it all.
Key Insights
- A breakout hit can reshape an entire market. Heated Rivalry didn’t just succeed, it reignited global attention on Toronto as a creative hub and proved Canadian-led projects can dominate cultural conversation.
- Local storytelling is finally taking center stage. Canadian creators are increasingly telling distinctly Canadian stories, rather than masking them as “anywhere,” signaling a shift toward authentic regional identity.
- Infrastructure and talent depth are Toronto’s secret weapons. From agencies to casting directors to production companies, the ecosystem is already robust and quietly powering major international projects.
Is there another show shooting right now that could become the next Heated Rivalry-like sensation? “Honestly, the only thing people care about up here is Heated Rivalry, season 2,” Toronto-based casting director Ilona Smyth says with a laugh. She continues, “It’s really inspired a lot of Canadian creatives to get on board and realize that [multimedia company and CTV owner] Bell Media supported them and took a big swing.”
In Smyth’s view, seeing a Canadian success story like this one has a snowball effect. “I think what it’s really done is inspired a lot of Canadian filmmakers to tell Canadian stories and not hold back, trying to place us as somewhere else in the world. I think Britain’s done a really good job doing that. Australia, local networks have done that, whereas, historically, can you tell me where Schitt’s Creek is based?”
So aside from expecting more Canadian fare about Canadians that is actually set in Canada, there’s also plenty of other action happening in the Queen City. Shows like Boston Blue, Ginny & Georgia, Brilliant Minds, Vought Rising and Einstein all shoot there, as did the limited series Vladimir, which just dropped on Netflix.
Whether or not we’ll see another Heated Rivalry come across the border any time soon is anyone’s guess. Probably not, considering how often we get a genuine, bonafide sensation on our TV screens, but there are plenty of people laboring to try. There are plenty of agents, casting directors and production companies doing excellent work, which should be on your radar.
AGENTS
Toronto has an abundance of good talent agencies, and while here are just a half dozen, as Smyth says, “If an agent doesn’t try to charge you money, they’re a great agent.”
Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency
CASTING DIRECTORS
Aside from Smyth, of course, there is a plethora of great casting directors. Here are just a few:
Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay
Ashley Hallihan and Ian Bender
PRODUCTION COMPANIES
There is no shortage of quality production companies north of the border. Here’s a small selection:
Key Takeaways
- Position yourself where momentum is building. If you’re in entertainment, Toronto isn’t “emerging” anymore, it’s actively producing opportunity across multiple levels.
- Build relationships with the right gatekeepers. Agents, casting directors, and production companies in this market are essential connectors, not optional extras.
- Follow the wave of authenticity. Projects rooted in real cultural identity are gaining traction, so aligning with that shift increases your relevance and booking potential.
