ICE Fears Cost Margaret Cho Her Heated Rivalry Role

Here’s a bit of Hollywood what-could-have-been: Margaret Cho nearly ended up in 'Heated Rivalry', the buzzy queer sports romance that’s all over HBO Max right now. But if you were wondering why Cho didn’t pop up in the cast, it’s not about creative differences or scheduling conflicts. Actually, it’s a lot messier—and honestly, I’ve never heard a story quite like this one.

Margaret Cho: Spooked at the Border

Cho recently dropped this nugget on the 'I Never Liked You' podcast, where she was talking about roles that got away. Turns out, she was offered a part in the pilot for 'Heated Rivalry.' Only problem? The shoot was in Canada, and this was during the Trump-era ICE crackdown—a time when, if we’re being real, a lot of folks were nervous about border crossings for reasons that went way beyond forgot-your-passport issues.

Cho, who’s never exactly been shy about her opinions, especially when it comes to immigration and ICE, said her activism made her extra cautious. In her words:

'I’m so vocal about hating ICE and hating this administration. I was like, "I will get detained at the border, and I will be put in ICE detention if I go."'

She actually wrestled with the decision, even checked in with friends and colleagues, but in the end decided it wasn’t worth the risk. And yes, she’s still bummed about it. She admitted that passing on 'Heated Rivalry' is one of those career regrets that still stings.

What Makes This Sting Worse?

Cho isn’t just any would-be cast member—she’s a legit fan of the show's creator, Jacob Tierney (yes, the same guy from 'Letterkenny'). So you can imagine that skipping the project hit a little differently. Especially since the show actually turned out to be good in her eyes: Cho says she’s watched 'Heated Rivalry' and even hosted rewatch parties. Talk about twisting the knife.

• Role: Unspecified part in 'Heated Rivalry' pilot
• Reason for passing: Fear of getting flagged at the Canadian border due to outspoken criticism of ICE and Trump-era immigration policies
• Regret level: High—she admits it’s still bugging her
• Fan status: Big! She's watched the show (multiple times) and loves Jacob Tierney’s past work
• Possible comeback: She’s been in touch with the creators about popping up in Season 2... so stay tuned

Could Cho Still Show Up?

Don’t count her out just yet. Season 2 is a done deal—it’s adapted from Rachel Reid’s 2022 book, 'The Long Game,' and is due to drop in spring 2027 (so, patience required). Cho teased that she’s asked about joining the cast, but nothing’s official. We’ll see if she gets her shot—or if that ICE ghost keeps haunting her Hollywood choices.

Side note: if you’re late to all this, 'Heated Rivalry' is currently streaming its first season on HBO Max in the U.S., and the original story comes from Rachel Reid’s 'Game Changers' novel. So, yes, plenty to binge while you speculate about Cho’s possible second-act cameo.