New Delhi, March 7 -- Heated Rivalry, the global smash is finally available in India. Connor Storrie, one of its breakout stars, just hosted Saturday Night Live-a very particular kind of American coronation. A mere 12 weeks ago, Storrie was a virtual unknown. Even in the fickle and algorithm-obsessed entertainment industry, the speed of his ascent is extraordinary.

That alone would be a story. But what makes it a bigger story is what his stardom is built on: a bawdy, queer hockey TV romance (based on books by Rachel Reid, who writes "cute smut about hockey"), whose primarily female and queer fandom isn't just large but also passionately, ravenously participatory. The social media frenzy around Heated Rivalry is unprecedented and alarming...