Owner of“ Heated Rivalry” Cottage Had Doubts About Letting Show Return for Season 2 — Here’s Why

**Local Doctor Opens His Cottage to Film Hit Series ‘Heated Rivalry’**

In a recent interview, Michael Kutryk, the owner of a picturesque cottage located in Ontario, has shared the journey of how his beloved retreat became a backdrop for the LGBTQ+ hockey romance series, ‘Heated Rivalry’. As he embraces a return to the show for its upcoming second season, Kutryk reflects on the decisions that led him to feature his home yet again.

Kutryk, a physician based in Toronto, has long cherished the cottage, describing it as his sanctuary from the hectic pace of city life. Initially hesitant to involve his private space in a television production, Kutryk conducted a thorough introspection before ultimately deciding to allow the filming to proceed once more. His feelings of trepidation stemmed from not only a desire to protect his privacy but also from the unexpected scale of the production team that had descended upon his property during the filming of the inaugural season.

“When they first contacted me for the second season, I really had to think it through,” Kutryk explained. “I’ve always built this cottage to escape from the world, so inviting cameras in was a big decision for me.”

Kutryk reminisces about the initial filming process, both in terms of logistics and his own surprise at what the production involved. He thought he would be hosting only a small crew, but to his astonishment, about 45 crew members arrived to discuss arrangements that included everything from porta-potties to an outdoor kitchen. This overwhelming presence made him second-guess his involvement, though the assurance that filming would take place on weekdays helped him ease his concerns.

Interestingly, Kutryk admitted that he had no prior knowledge of the series’ content before granting access to his property. In fact, it was only after producers mentioned the show’s adaptation from a popular series of romance novels that he decided to listen to the audiobooks. What he discovered left him both shocked and amused. “Listening to the book made my jaw drop,” he recounted with laughter. “The explicit nature of the content made me wonder just what they would be filming on my property.”

Set to premiere in April 2027, ‘Heated Rivalry’ continues to follow the passionate romance between two professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Building on the source material from Rachel Reid’s ‘Game Changers’ series, fans of the show have already expressed immense anticipation for the unfolding of Shane and Ilya’s journey in the upcoming season.

Kutryk’s cottage made its debut in the final episode of the first season, which has received considerable acclaim online. Following this exposure, the cottage was also made available on Airbnb, albeit after some initial reluctance on his part. “Their offer was too good to refuse,” he affirmed, as he explored opportunities for extra income. What began as a proposal for a few weekends in May extended through the summer, indicating the strong interest generated by the show’s success.

Looking ahead, Kutryk remains contemplative about the future of his cottage as a rental property. “We’ll see what demand looks like after Season 2 airs,” he stated, highlighting that while he appreciates the attention, he also values the serenity his retreat offers. “I am a private person, and I built this place to escape from it all.”

Amidst discussions of rentals and filming, he was quick to mention the natural surroundings that accompany his cottage life. “There’s a huge buck that lives here with his harem. Also, while I was planting flowers, I stumbled upon three different patches of turtle eggs,” Kutryk remarked, emphasising the balance he strikes between sharing his cottage and preserving the wildlife that inhabits it.

Further adding to the uniqueness of his space, Kutryk noted that most of the decor seen in the cottage during the series is indeed his own, apart from a few notable exceptions like a new mattress that was required for one of the more memorable scenes between Shane and Ilya.

With the renewed commitment to a second season of ‘Heated Rivalry’, the excitement is palpable among fans eager to see how the story develops. Kutryk himself is gearing up for another round of filming and remains proud that his cottage serves as a vital part of a narrative that resonates deeply with its audience.