Before the world saw Robbie G.K. serving up smoothies on screen as Kip Grady in the hit TV series Heated Rivalry, many Islanders saw him on stage at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, performing in the Charlottetown Festival.
G.K., who’s originally from Mississauga, Ont., spent several summers on P.E.I., and appeared in productions like Mama Mia!, Jesus Christ Superstar, Alice Through the Looking-Glass and — of course — Anne of Green Gables.
“I remember the first summer I was coming to work at Charlottetown Festival, and everyone was kind of telling me that there’s just something special about the Island and something special about Charlottetown,” G.K. told Mainstreet P.E.I. host Steve Bruce.
“I had done a fair amount of travelling up until that point so I didn’t really believe everyone, and then once I got there and spent a summer there I really fell in love.”
G.K. said having steady summer gigs with the Confederation Centre and being part of the Charlottetown Festival was “massive” at that point in his career.
“Though my world is kind of getting very big all of a sudden right now it seems, it’s nice to have some comfort coming from the Island and people celebrating the work,” he said, noting that the kind messages he’s received from Islanders are lovely to read.
“I wouldn’t have this opportunity without the support and guidance and mentorship that I received at the Confed Centre.”
‘All the stars aligning’
Prior to Heated Rivalry, G.K. said he decided to move away from focusing on musical theatre and “really wanted to put all my eggs in the TV and film basket.”
Living in Toronto, he juggled on-screen work with a sales job. When the opportunity to audition for Heated Rivalry came up, he took it.
“It was an interesting take on … a very told story, but it was coming at it from a completely different angle and a very human and kind of love-infused angle,” he said.
“Having grown up playing competitive sports as well as growing up doing theatre, I’ve seen kind of both sides of this story and I was just very grateful that Jacob Tierney and Brendan [Brady] — who are the producers of the show — chose me for the role.”
Although G.K. said he saw the script’s potential, he “definitely couldn’t anticipate the way it’s been received.”
“It’s all the stars aligning,” he said, pointing to a combination of factors like source material, writing, filming, lighting and acting.
When the crew got to set and started filming, G.K. said he could feel the care and quality that the whole team was taking with Heated Rivalry. He said he remembers seeing some initial edits and thinking to himself, “This looks like a world-class show.”
“To quote my mom … ‘If this finds its audience this will be a big hit.’ And I think it’s found its audience.”
Canadian pride
Even though it’s been weeks since the final episode of Heated Rivalry‘s first season was released, G.K. said the attention it’s received still feels surreal.
To be part of a show that’s sparked conversations about hockey culture, LGBTQ+ love and inclusivity in professional sports is something G.K. said he’s still taking in.
“I think that is still developing for me and the impact that it has,” said the actor, who recently attended the Vancouver Canucks Pride Night game.
“I have read some news here and there of pro hockey players or previous pro hockey players who are now feeling comfortable to come out of the closet and talk about their sexuality because of the show and, you know, that warms my heart…. It’s great to feel like I’m supporting somebody.”
The fact that the show is a Canadian production adds another layer of meaning to its reception, he said.
“That’s something that I’ve carried with me and has really kind of grounded me throughout all this experience…. It’s amazing to feel like this tiny, small Canadian TV show has the reach that it has,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be a part of that — the success of the show, but also the message that it’s spreading.”
What’s next?
Fans around the world — including here on P.E.I. — have been wondering whether G.K. will be back for season two of the mega-popular show.
While G.K. said he knows for sure that there will be a second season, he isn’t sure what his involvement will be.
“Whether I’m back or not, I’m just happy to be along for the ride,” he said.
“I hope to be busy doing the stuff that I love to do, and whether that be on stage again or whether that be in a studio somewhere filming or whatever, I’m just excited for the future.”
