The obsession continues: Heated Rivalry picked up 18 Canadian Screen Awards nominations when the 2026 nominees were unveiled Wednesday morning, officially making it one of the year’s biggest TV hits. Then again, anyone who watched its breakout run probably doesn’t need an awards show to confirm that. The six-episode romance drama (which filmed in Toronto and Ontario) follows two fresh-faced NHL rookies as their secret fling evolves into a powerful love story. It was a huge hit for Crave, becoming the streamer’s most-watched original series debut ever, while the show’s HBO Max rollout helped turn the leads into mainstream pop culture fixtures across the globe!
Not to be outdone, comedy series North of North led the TV categories overall with 20 nominations. Together, the two series became the headline-makers of this year’s awards rollout, with Heated Rivalry landing a nomination in Best Drama Series and North of North contending for Best Comedy Series.
Beyond Best Drama Series, Heated Rivalry earned nominations for Jacob Tierney in both direction and writing; lead performer nods for François Arnaud (who plays supporting character Scott Hunter) and Hudson Williams (Shane Hollander), who recently made headlines for a playful red-carpet moment with Prime Minister Mark Carney; supporting nominations for Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova (Svetlana Vetrova) and Sophie Nélisse (Rose Landry); a guest performance nod for Nadine Bhabha (Elena Rygg); and a long list of craft mentions including photography, editing, sound, production design, costume design, visual effects, original music and original song.
In case you’re wondering where the nomination is for Connor Storrie — Williams’ co-star who plays Shane’s rival-turned-lover Ilya Rozanov — the Texas-born actor unfortunately doesn’t qualify for the Canadian Screen Awards!
North of North received noms for performances by Canadian Inuk actress Anna Lambe (who plays the lead character, Siaja), Braeden Clarke and Maika Harper, as well as nods for ensemble, direction and writing.
On the film side, 40 Acres led the field with 10 nominations, including Best Motion Picture and directing recognition for R.T. Thorne. Right behind it were Follies, Honey Bunch and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, with eight nominations each, while Blue Heron and Mile End Kicks each picked up seven noms.
The digital categories also delivered some standout contenders. Settle Down earned the most digital media nominations (nine), including Alexander Nunez for Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series, followed by 18 to 35 with five noms, and Coming Home, Cows Come Home and Dying Seconds with four each.
“Canada’s creative community has experienced an extraordinary year, with bold storytelling and world-class talent capturing attention at home and around the globe,” Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, said in a statement. “The momentum we’re seeing across film, television, and digital media speaks to the power of our industry, and we’re proud to celebrate the innovation and diverse voices that carry Canada’s screen sector to new heights.”
Nominees are chosen by voting members of the Canadian Academy and by nominating juries, with the process conducted virtually by representatives from the film, television and digital media industries. Next up: Members will cast their votes between March 26 and April 13, 2026, to determine the winners.
This year’s awards will take place during Canadian Screen Week in Toronto from May 27 to May 31, with the main ceremony set for Sunday, May 31 at 8 p.m. Kim’s Convenience alum Andrew Phung is hosting, and the show will be simulcast across CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global and STACKTV.
Visit academy.ca/nominees for a complete list of 2026 Canadian Screen Award nominees!
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