Heated Rivalry Star Sophie Nélisse Says ‘Why Not?’ To A Rose And Svetlana Arc

Feature Image: Valery HACHE / AFP

Heated Rivalry Star, Sophie Nélisse has a message, and it’s one the dykes have been manifesting since Season 1’s finale: what if Season 2 had a sapphic addition? 

While appearing on Young Hollywood, Nélisse—who plays Rose Landry, Shane Hollander’s famous actress girlfriend-turned-lifelong bestie—floated the concept of a lesbian (or at least lesbian-adjacent) spin-off centered on Rose and Svetlana Sergeevna Vetrova. Yes, that Svetlana: Ilyana Rozanov’s best friend, occasional hookup and fan favorite scene-stealer. 

When asked whether fans might see a Rose-Shane-Miles love triangle down the line, Nélisse quickly redirected the fantasy.

“A lot of people are saying Rose and Svetlana, and I’m like ‘Why not?’ A little spinoff,” she said. “I’m here for it. The more, the merrier.” 

And she did not stop there. 

Pressed on whether she was pitched Rose + Svetlana specifically—or a full-on ménage situation—Nélisse handed the decision over to the internet. “People in the comments can say which they prefer,” she shrugged, an agent of chaos if we’ve ever seen one.

For those keeping score at home, Rose Landry doesn’t end up with a woman in Rachel Reid’s game changer book series, which the show is based on. In fact Rose’s primary narrative function is being the emotionally intelligent, unflinchingly supportive confidante once she realizes Shane is gay. But let’s be real: lesbians love a far-fetched yearning arc. A “they’ve never even met” situation has never stopped us. Just ask your local dyke, if they don’t have a story, they’ll know someone who does. 

And if monogamy feels limiting? Nélisse has thoughts. While she stopped short of officially proposing a Rose-Ilya romance, she did confess she’s “team Rosanov,” noting she’d happily keep Rozanov in the mix, “Bring them all in,” she said. “All the boys and all the girls. It’s going to be a wild show.”

Beyond Heated Rivalry, Nélisse has quietly built a resume that screams queer icon. She also stars in Yellowjackets, where she plays the teenage version of Shauna Shipman (now Sadecki); and Ellie Gains in upcoming horror movie, Whistle, both roles that further cemented her status as someone deeply comfortable in morally messy, emotionally intense ensembles—exactly the skill set required for a potential sapphic spinoff that would immediately ruin lives (affectionately).

Is a Rose–Svetlana romance a stretch? Sure. They haven’t shared screen time, the books don’t go there, and prestige TV remains allergic to sapphic longevity. But with Heated Rivalry’s built-in fanbase—and the women of the series already serving as the emotional backbone—stranger things have happened. And frankly, we deserve nice things too.

For now, fans will have to wait. Heated Rivalry, which streams on HBO Max in the U.S., is set to return in spring 2027 for a six-episode second season, according to creator Jacob Tierney. Until then, GO readers, the floor is yours.

Rose/Svetlana? Rose/Ilya/Shane? Full poly chaos?

Comment wisely.