'Heated Rivalry' Creator Jacob Tierney Announces Netflix Series on Alexander the Great and Aristotle
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Jacob Tierney, known for creating the queer romance series Heated Rivalry, has partnered with Netflix for a new limited series titled Alexander, focusing on the formative relationship between Alexander the Great and his tutor Aristotle. The announcement, made public on March 5, 2026, positions Tierney as writer, director, and executive producer of the project, which draws from Annabel Lyon's 2009 historical novel The Golden Mean.
Tierney expressed enthusiasm in a statement: "I fell in love with Annabel Lyon's book The Golden Mean years ago and have been dreaming of telling this story ever since. Brendan and I couldn't be more excited to be partnering with Aggregate and Netflix to bring this insanely compelling world to life." He is developing this project alongside work on the second season of Heated Rivalry, a series celebrated in LGBTQ+ media for its portrayal of a passionate rivalry-turned-romance between two gay hockey players.
Joining Tierney as executive producers are Jason Bateman under his Aggregate Films banner, alongside Michael Costigan and Brendan Brady. Bateman, known for his work in film and television production, brings additional industry weight to the endeavor. Netflix, a global streaming platform with a track record of investing in LGBTQ+ affirming content such as Heartstopper and Young Royals, has not yet announced a release date or casting details for Alexander.
The project carries potential significance for transgender people and broader LGBTQ+ communities, given historical interpretations of Alexander the Great's life. Some scholars and queer historians have explored ambiguities in ancient accounts of Alexander's relationships, including close bonds with male companions like Hephaestion, often framed through a modern queer lens. Tierney's background with Heated Rivalry, praised by outlets like Attitude for its authentic depiction of gay men in sports, suggests the series may approach these dynamics with sensitivity and nuance.
LGBTQ+ media coverage highlights the "heated rivalry" parallel in the Attitude article title, drawing connections between Tierney's prior work and this historical drama. Community responses on social platforms have noted excitement over Netflix's continued support for creators like Tierney who center queer narratives, though no formal statements from organizations like GLAAD were available at the time of reporting. The series arrives amid growing interest in queer historical retellings, such as those in Fellow Travelers and It's a Sin, which have elevated person-first storytelling for LGBTQ+ identities.
This development underscores Netflix's strategy to blend high-profile historical figures with intimate relational stories, potentially broadening representation for LGBTQ+ audiences worldwide. Tierney's dual commitments signal a busy period for Canadian talent in international streaming, with Alexander poised to examine power, mentorship, and desire in antiquity through a contemporary affirming perspective.
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