Heated Rivalry’s Christina Chang plays Shane Hollander’s mother

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details about Episode 6 of “Heated Rivalry,” now streaming on HBO Max.

In what proved to be one of the most powerful scenes of the six-episode queer romantic sports drama “Heated Rivalry,” professional hockey player Shane Hollander has a heart-to-heart with his mother Yuna as he comes out to his parents as gay.

Not only has Shane told his mom and dad about his sexuality, but he’s also revealed that he’s dating his career nemesis, Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

Yuna, played by “The Good Doctor” actress Christina Chang, apologizes to Shane for making him feel like he couldn’t talk to her sooner. “I’m so proud of you,” she says as she hugs her son. “Please forgive me.”

Shane responds, “I forgive you, Mom.”

“You really have a choice about how you love someone, and sometimes it’s a split-second decision,” Chang tells me over Zoom from her home in Vancouver, Canada. “I wanted to make sure that when she steps out, it’s not about her… It’s about a lot of things. You don’t know what she’s going to say. There’s a moment of suspension.”

Yuna could have opened up to Shane and told him she’s concerned about his career and his endorsements. “It could have gone that way, but in the end she chooses Shane,” Chang says.

Williams recently told me that it was this mother-and-son conversation that was the driving force behind the desire to play Shane. “That scene was the scene that screwed me up the most when I read the script,” he said. “It was the scene where I thought, ‘If I don’t get to play Shane Hollander.’ It’s also a scene that doesn’t appear in the book, but to me it’s the quintessential closing scene of that arc for him and his mother. Period.”

“Heated Rivalry” is from creator Jacob Tierney and is based on Rachel Reid’s gay hockey romance novel series “Game Changers.” Chang read the scripts for the six-episode season after he was offered the role of Yuna.

“I thought, ‘Is this softcore porn? What’s going on? It’s hot. What the hell is happening now? This is amazing. It’s like ‘Fifty Shades of…’ Oh, my God!'” she says, before adding with a laugh, “Thank God I wasn’t the one who got naked.”

What was it like filming the scene with Hudson? Did it feel heavy?

Not on the day. I think Jacob said in an interview that these guys were so dedicated and so focused. First of all, because of the way they ate and the way they maintained their health and physique, and in addition they received skating lessons. And then of course Connor had his Russian lessons, which is a whole other impressive situation. So they were very focused. That said, we always knew how to have a good time and joke around. And while there was a lot of laughter on set, which is a great outlet for when things are intense, no one was joking while filming the scene. It was the last scene of the day, which I appreciated. I thought, “Well, fine. I don’t want to feel like they have to rush to another scene.” When I read the scene I was emotional, and I’ve been emotional ever since.

What is your advice to parents who have a child who has come out?

Your love for your child and his well-being comes first. Everyone has a different definition of protection, but loving and protecting them means seeing them for who they are and embracing that. If your child has the courage to tell you this, know that it probably wasn’t easy. So just love them and work through it together.

What did you think when you heard that HBO Max has acquired the show from [Canadian streamer] Craving?

I thought, ‘Now we have a chance. Now we’re going to be seen.’ Didn’t know yet how it would be received.

An NHL spokesperson has said they welcome any opportunities that new hockey fans bring. And then the next phenomenon is everyone in the gym asking their trainers how to get hockey butts.

Isn’t that crazy? Those guys [Williams and Storrie] are the nicest. Obviously I’m not their mom, and I like to have a good time with them because I’m their friend, but I also feel protective of them.

Are you worried about them?

I don’t experience [their fame] not at all, but I look at it, and it’s really weird, and I think it’s weird for them. I’m not worried yet. The online conversation about their own personal lives is quite an interesting topic. I understand the different perspectives.

What are your expectations for season 2?

May I spend as much time as possible with Hudson and Connor. Jacob only expanded Yuna’s role slightly from the books. I hope we see this next chapter fleshed out with them, and that we see her and Ilya start a relationship. I think it will be beautiful and fun to do.

This Q&A has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.