How Former First Lady Jill Biden Almost Won Heated Rivalry Role

5 hours ago 6

Hudson Williams Teases Heated Rivalry Season 2

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have a fan in Jill Biden

In fact, the former First Lady is such a fan of Heated Rivalry—and the actors that skated into every fan’s heart, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie—she was willing to put major money down for her own chance to get involved in the series.

During a live auction at the NYC LGBT Community Center’s annual fundraiser, the Center Dinner, on April 16, Jill bid $35,000 for the chance to have dinner with the hockey series’ cast and to be given a walk-on role in the beloved show’s second season.

And while the five-figure amount would be enough to make even the most seasoned skater trip on the ice, the 74-year-old was quickly outbid. The prize package ultimately ended up going for a whopping $125,000—twice. (Two separate bidders committed to the six-figure amount.)

But for Jill, who has been married to President Joe Biden for almost five decades, the loss was one she took on the chin. After all, the bidding was all in the name of a good cause.

“Guess I won’t be heading to the cottage after all—but it was worth a shot,” she wrote on X after the event, adding alongside a pink heart, “What a wonderful evening supporting @LGBTCenterNYC.”

During the event, Heated Rivalry’s creator Jacob Tierney—who adapted the show from Rachel Reid’s book series—and his producing partner Brendan Brady were both honored.

Grant Baldwin/Getty Images & Emilio Madrid/Getty Images for Creative Artists Agency, LLC

“Tierney and Brady have elevated and centered queer characters as fully realized leads whose desires, conflicts and tenderness are treated with dignity,” Center CEO Dr. Carla Smith said ahead of the event, per Variety. “By championing our voices, they have brought queer joy and storytelling to the mainstream media and have created work that affirms and advances our community.” 

When the series debuted on HBO in November, it quickly became a phenomenon as fans fell in love with Shane and Ilya’s love story, as well as the romance between François Arnaud’s Scott Hunter and Robbie Graham-Kuntz’s Kip Grady.

Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait too long to see their favorite hockey players back in, well, action. In fact, the team behind the show is hoping for an April 2027 premiere.

Plus, Jacob confirmed in February that the series will start filming in August, adding to Gayle King during his appearance on CBS Mornings, "We're writing it now. We're getting ready to start shooting this summer. There will be more Heated Rivalry on your TVs, like, truly, as soon as humanly possible."

Sabrina Lantos/Warner Bros. Discovery

And by “as soon as humanly possible,” Jacob means it: In March he told Variety he keeps himself in a room all day writing.

As for how he’s handling the pressure of making another season that lives up to the first, he said it’s all about keeping his head in the game—and the source material.

“I realized a little while ago that what I have to do is go back to where my head was at the first time I wrote,” he explained, “which was love these books and try to make the smartest thing I can make of it.”

And that includes keeping “faithful” to Rachel’s books: “I’m not going to bail on that now.”

But while next April can’t come soon enough, there is plenty of heart-racing TV to consume until then. Read on for more. 

HBO Max

The Dark Wizard (HBO Max) - Apr. 14

The Dark Wizard is an up-close and unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, one of the world’s most influential and controversial climbers, BASE jumpers, and highline walkers. The series traces the jaw-dropping feats that made him a legend, as well as the personal turmoil that defined his life.

Apple TV+

Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV+) - Apr. 15

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a bold, heartwarming, and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Elle Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooter’s waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Nick Offerman), as she’s forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them. 

Geoff George /FOX

MasterChef (Fox) - Apr. 15

Gordon Ramsay returns for season 16 as a host and judge, alongside renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef and entrepreneur Tiffany Derry. MasterChef will welcome a fresh batch of home cooks to vie for the chance to win $250,000 and the MasterChef trophy.

Jocelyn Prescod/Peacock

Love Island: Beyond the Villa (Peacock) - Apr. 15

The Love Island spinoff returns for season two with fan-favorite bombshells from season seven.

Love Island: Beyond the Villa follows former Islanders as they return to their homes after a life-altering summer in Fiji and navigate their newfound fame. Surrounded by familiar faces and past connections, these Islanders test their romantic relationships in the real world, resolve unfinished business with their exes and discover that life outside of the villa comes with its own set of challenges.  

Netflix

Beef (Netflix) - Apr. 16

The series returns with a new cast and a new "beef," as a Gen-Z couple witnesses an alarming fight between their Millennial boss and his wife. Newly-engaged Ashley Miller (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin Davis (Charles Melton), both lower-level staff at a country club, become entangled in the unraveling marriage of their General Manager, Joshua Martín (Oscar Isaac), and his wife, Lindsay Crane-Martín (Carey Mulligan). Through favors and coercion, both couples vie for the approval of the elitist club's billionaire owner, Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh-hung), who struggles to manage her own scandal involving her second husband, Doctor Kim (Song Kang-ho).

Disney

Vanderpump Villa (Hulu) - Apr. 16

Lisa Vanderpump returns home to England to challenge her staff to the most lavish, drama-filled summer yet. This year she’s invited back not only Stassi Schroeder, but also stars from the biggest reality franchises on TV, who are trying to escape the “real" world…but can’t shake the consequences of it. These guests with messy pasts, hidden agendas, and unresolved feuds arrive ready to sip champagne, spark romance, and stir the pot as old rivalries reignite and new hookups heat up. Fan-favorite staff return seeking redemption while eight ambitious newcomers fight for their place to meet Lisa’s high standards. With a life-changing bonus on the line, some will thrive but not everyone will survive the wildest summer ever at Vanderpump Villa.

Tubi

Big Mood (Tubi) - Apr. 16

It’s been a year since Maggie (Nicola Coughlan) and Eddie (Lydia West) last saw each other, without any contact between the best friends. When Eddie suddenly returns for a wedding, she isn’t alone - Maggie has competition, in the form of an infuriatingly positive spiritual healer named Whitney (Hannah Onslow). Can Maggie and her special brand of chaos find space in Eddie’s new life? Or will Maggie lose Eddie forever?

Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios

Jerry West: The Logo (Prime Video) - Apr. 16

Jerry West: The Logo examines the price of greatness and the man who paid it, as the notoriously private and enigmatic West opens up with rare candor about his private struggles with depression, the marriage that crumbled under the weight of his obsession, his complicated relationship with fatherhood, and the persistent feeling of being an outsider even as he achieved what others only dream of.

Netflix

Full Swing (Netflix) - Apr. 17

This season, Full Swing features some of the most exciting moments in this generation of golf history: a Grand Slam coronation at the Masters, a U.S. Open comeback for the ages and fan-favorite Tommy Fleetwood coming into his own by winning the FedExCup for the biggest money prize in the sport.

Season four highlights fresh, emerging champions as well as legends of the game as we build to arguably the most significant golf event in history, The Ryder Cup at New York's famed Bethpage Black Course.

Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios

American Gladiators (Prime Video) - Apr. 17

Each episode of the fan-favorite competition features amateur male and female Contenders from across the nation stepping into the Arena to face 16 powerful new American Gladiators. From classic events like Joust, Powerball, Hang Tough, and The Wall, to high-impact new events including The Ring and Collision, every showdown demands strength, strategy, and pure grit. Only one man and one woman will conquer the Arena, claim $100,000, and earn the title of American Gladiator Champion.

Netflix

A Gorilla Story: Told By David Attenborough (Netflix) - Apr. 17

This intimate documentary blends the remarkable story of David Attenborough’s first encounter with the baby gorilla Pablo with a deep dive into how Pablo’s direct descendants are doing today in the mountains of Rwanda. Weaving together contemporary and archival footage of the gorilla group and narrated by Attenborough—including excerpts from his 1978 journals—A Gorilla Story is packed with extraordinary gorilla behavior never filmed before. 

Amazon MGM Studios

From (MGM+) - Apr. 19

From unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all those who enter. As the unwilling residents fight to keep a sense of normalcy and search for a way out, they must also survive the threats of the surrounding forest – including the terrifying creatures that come out when the sun goes down.

In season four, the closer the residents of town get to the answers they seek, the more terrifying their search becomes. Who is the Man in Yellow, and what does he want? Will Jade and Tabitha’s revelation be the key to finally going home? How much longer can Boyd hold the town together, even as his body and mind are falling apart? And what role will the town’s most recent arrival play in the events to come? Season Four will open doors that some in town will end up wishing had remained closed.

Lifetime/A+E Networks

Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out (Lifetime) - Apr. 20

This season, Dr. Lee and her team tackle never-before-seen cases that push the limits of dermatology, delivering life-changing transformations and emotional journeys that go far beyond the surface. As she molds the next generation of poppers, Dr. Lee continues her mission to restore confidence and improve lives—one pop at a time. But this season, Dr. Lee encounters an unexpected challenge that could change everything.

Disney/Hulu

4x20: Quick Hits (Hulu) - Apr. 20

4X20: Quick Hits is a new anthology series highlighting cannabis and the people who love it.  Made up of four, twenty-minute films, each by a dope director in celebration of what is arguably the world’s most beloved plant.

Investigation Discovery

Hollywood Demons (Investigation Discovery) - Apr. 20

Over the course of five new episodes, season two will continue to offer rare, first-hand accounts revealing how the pursuit of fame can reshape identities, strain relationships, and leave lasting emotional fallout in its wake. In addition to unprecedented access to key figures across the pop culture landscape who weigh in with their personal stories, Hollywood Demons will continue to offer expert analysis and insider perspective from Dr. Drew Pinsky, as well as Emmy-nominated journalist Simone Boyce, who help contextualize the psychological and cultural forces at play. Episodes this season will explore iconic touchstones like The Jerry Springer Show, Saved by the Bell, 16 and Pregnant, among others.

KEVIN KWAN/NETFLIX

Funny AF With Kevin Hart (Netflix) - Apr. 20

Netflix and global superstar Kevin Hart are on a mission to crown the next big name in stand-up with a new comedy competition series. Guided by Kevin Hart and a crew of comedy titans, this unfiltered, uncensored and unapologetic competition will pull back the curtain on the gritty, hilarious and often unpredictable path of a stand-up career.

FOX

Running Wild With Bear Grylls (Fox) - Apr. 21

Running Wild With Bear Grylls follows legendary adventurer Bear Grylls as he takes some of the most famous people on the planet into the wild for a 48-hour journey of a lifetime. With thrilling action and revealing conversations, Bear takes his guests on unforgettable adventures in breath-taking wilderness and reveals a side of some of your favorite people like you've never seen before. This season, Bear Grylls leads cast members on a globe-spanning adventure through some of the planet’s most unforgiving landscapes — from Norway’s glacial wilderness to the legendary mountains of Eryri in Wales.

Michael Becker/FOX

Farmer Wants a Wife (Fox) - Apr. 21

Season four will see farmers Sean, Braden and Brett search for love.

Netflix

This Is a Gardening Show (Netflix) - Apr. 22

This Is a Gardening Show is a refreshing and whimsical take on gardening, hosted by Zach Galifianakis. Rather than positioning himself as an expert, Galifianakis approaches the subject with curiosity and self-effacing humor, admitting that his goal is to learn alongside the audience. The series blends lighthearted comedy with a sincere appreciation for people and the planet. Ultimately, This Is a Gardening Show is about the joy of connecting with the earth and people.

Netflix

Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool (Netflix) - Apr. 22

The documentary film follows Lainey Wilson as she redefines what it means to be a modern country star, proving that staying true to yourself can lead to major success. The film captures a pivotal moment in her career, exploring the country icon’s personal journey and chronicling her struggles and triumphs as she captivates fans on stage across the country.

Netflix

Hulk Hogan: Real American (Netflix) - Apr. 22

Before he was Hulk Hogan, he was Terry Bollea. Uncover the man behind the legend in this unfiltered documentary featuring his very last interview.

Apple TV

Criminal Record (Apple TV) - Apr. 22

Criminal Record is a powerful, character-driven drama set in the heart of contemporary London, exploring the impossibility of policing when the truth is up for grabs. In season two, when a young man is stabbed to death at a political rally, rival police officers June Lenker and Daniel Hegarty are forced into an uneasy alliance. But what starts as a hunt for a murderer escalates into an undercover operationto foil a far-right bomb plot in the heart of London.

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Running Point (Netflix) - Apr. 23

Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is no longer the surprise choice to lead the Los Angeles Waves, she’s the one everyone is watching. With the franchise finally rebounding after last year’s scandal, Isla is determined to prove she’s not just keeping the seat warm for her brother Cam (Justin Theroux). What she doesn’t know is that Cam is quietly maneuvering behind the scenes to reclaim his post, turning every misstep into ammunition. As she tries to balance the pressure of running a franchise with devoting time to her personal life, every decision on and off the court counts. To survive the family power plays and the scrutiny of the board, she’ll have to rip up last season’s game plan and come up with a whole new playbook if she wants to close out the season on top. Season two of Running Point raises the stakes, deepens the family drama, and finds even more comedy in what it takes to run a modern sports empire.

BritBox

After the Flood (BritBox) - Apr. 23

Returning for a compelling second season, After the Flood continues its tense exploration of a community shaped by tragedy, where new investigations unravel hidden truths and long-buried secrets come to light. 

Anne Binckebanck/HBO

Half Man (HBO) - April 23

Niall and Ruben are brothers. Not related in blood but the closest you can get. One, fierce and loyal. The other, meek and mild-mannered. Inseparable youth. Brought into each other’s lives through death and circumstance, all they have is each other… But when Ruben turns up at Niall’s wedding three decades later, everything seems different. He is on edge. Shifty. Not acting like himself. And soon, an explosion of violence takes place which catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. Capturing 30 years in the lives of these broken men, Half Man is a six-part limited series exploring brotherhood, violence, and the intense fragility of male relationships. After all, when things fall apart… It is sometimes the closest relationships which break the hardest.

Bravo

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 15 Reunion (Bravo) - Apr. 23

Host Andy Cohen joins Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, Bozoma Saint John, Sutton Stracke, and new housewives Amanda Frances and Rachel Zoe as they reflect on an emotional season 15 marked by shocking revelations, shifting alliances, and friendships tested like never before. Friends Kathy Hilton and Jennifer Tilly also join.

Disney/Ser Baffo

Nikki Glaser: Good Girl (Hulu) - Apr. 24

The comedian gets a little naughty in her latest TV special.

Apple TV

My Brother the Minotaur (Apple TV) - Apr. 24

A thrilling mix of folklore, mystery, and adventure about a young minotaur – half boy, half bull – found and raised in the human world. With the help of his fiercely loyal human brother, he recruits a bold group of friends to uncover the mystery of his minotaur past and fulfill his destiny, all while battling dark forces determined to see him fail.

Amazon/Prime Video

The House of the Spirits (Prime Video) - Apr. 29

The House of the Spirits is a magnificent family saga that tells the epic tale of a proud and passionate family, secret loves, and bloody revolution. The Trueba family's passions, struggles, and secrets span a century of violent social change, culminating in a crisis that hurls the proud, tyrannical patriarch and his beloved granddaughter towards opposite sides of the fence.

Apple TV

Widow's Bay (Apple TV) - Apr. 29

Widow’s Bay is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true, start happening again. 

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App