‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Nearly Lost Its Famous Cabin After Owner’s Emotional Dilemma

Some television locations become just as famous as the shows themselves, and few examples in recent memory have gone quite as viral as the remote cabin at the center of ‘Heated Rivalry.‘ The Canadian hockey romance became an unexpected pop-culture phenomenon after debuting on Crave before making its way to HBO Max, turning its cast, and even one particular filming location, into overnight sensations.

That location belongs to Michael Kutryk, a Toronto-based doctor whose Muskoka retreat served as the setting for Shane Hollander’s private getaway with Ilya Rozanov in the show’s now-iconic Season 1 finale, “The Cottage.” The episode became a defining moment for the series, catapulting both the storyline and Kutryk’s home into the spotlight almost overnight.

With production on Season 2 already underway, Kutryk has now opened up about what it took to let the show return to his property. Speaking with HGTV, the homeowner revealed that agreeing to a second round of filming wasn’t an automatic decision, describing a period of genuine reflection before saying yes again.

“I did a little bit of soul searching about allowing them to come back,” Kutryk said. “I know they need it, and I realize I [could] be difficult and try to squeeze them, but I [couldn’t] bring myself to do that.”

According to Kutryk, negotiations for the return visit played out with a surprising amount of goodwill on both sides. “When they called, they said, ‘How much do you want?’ First, I told them they scratched my table, then I named a very reasonable price,” he recalled. “They were shocked and appreciative. I actually didn’t even get them to replace my table.”

That generosity echoes the arrangement Kutryk struck the first time around. He explained that the production had a “very small budget” when they initially approached him, and he ultimately agreed to let them film for what he described as “almost nothing,” a decision he says he nearly came to regret once filming actually began.

Kutryk’s home was discovered through a location scout who tracked down the property’s architect before eventually connecting with the doctor directly. He recalled being caught off guard by just how quickly the production moved once filming got underway, remembering a moment when black SUVs pulled up outside his home as crew members began discussing logistics like porta-potty placement.

Despite the disruption, Kutryk says he was ultimately pleased with how the finished episode turned out, though he admitted being surprised by just how much of his actual home ended up onscreen. His willingness to open his doors again speaks to the unusual bond that can form between real homeowners and the productions that transform their private spaces into television landmarks.

With filming on ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 having begun August 10 and expected to continue through early December across Muskoka, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, fans can look forward to seeing the beloved cottage return to screens once the new season arrives.

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