Connor Storrie, who plays Ilya Rozanov in the popular series Heated Rivalry, recently shared that he was deeply worried fans of the original book would dislike his performance before the show even premiered. On the Shut Up Evan podcast, the actor revealed he prepared for the worst possible reaction by adopting a mindset he calls “optimistic nihilism.” Despite his fears, the show has since become a major success, breaking records on streaming platforms and earning praise for the chemistry between Storrie and his co-star, Hudson Williams.
Storrie’s Fear of Fan Backlash and “Optimistic Nihilism”
Before Heated Rivalry debuted, Connor Storrie was acutely aware of how passionate fans can be about book adaptations. Having seen other adaptations criticized online, he admitted to entering the project with significant anxiety.
On the podcast, he explained his personal philosophy for dealing with the pressure:
“I’m very optimistic, but I’m also a firm believer in optimistic nihilism: accept the worst, but expect the best. I went through this entire process… accepting the worst case, which is that they’re going to hate my performance, I’m so wrong for the part [and] it’s going to be torn apart by people who love the book.”
Storrie said that by mentally accepting this negative outcome, he freed himself to focus solely on giving an honest performance. He placed his trust in showrunner Jacob Tierney, who adapted the series from Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changers romance novels, believing Tierney deeply understood the source material.
The Challenge of Adapting a Beloved Book
Heated Rivalry centers on the secret, slow-burn romance between two professional hockey players: the Russian Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and the Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams). The series quickly became a breakout hit after its November premiere, growing a passionate fan base almost overnight.
Storrie discussed the specific challenge of portraying iconic moments from the book that fans have strong expectations for. He mentioned the now-viral line, “I’m coming to the cottage,” delivered at the end of episode five. While he had ideas about how to please book readers, director Jacob Tierney guided him to focus on the emotional truth of the scene rather than trying to mimic a pre-existing idea from the page.
The actor emphasized the importance of this approach, noting that trying too hard to please fans can undermine the authenticity of the art.
“Honestly, I think with acting or art in general, trying to feed too much into what you think other people want is kind of the death of anything that’s actually humane and inspiring.”
Overwhelming Positive Response and Show’s Success
Contrary to Storrie’s early fears, the response to his performance has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans have praised his portrayal of Ilya Rozanov, highlighting his ability to capture the character’s complexity, warmth, and emotional depth. The chemistry between Storrie and Hudson Williams has been a central point of discussion and a key driver of the show’s popularity.
The series’ success is also measured in viewership. Heated Rivalry became Crave’s most-watched original series in Canada. In the United States, it became the top-rated non-animated acquired series on HBO Max. This rapid rise from a project its star feared would be rejected to a chart-topping hit underscores the connection the show has forged with audiences.
Where to Watch the Season Finale
For fans eager to see the conclusion of the first season, the finale is titled “The Cottage.” The sixth and final episode of Heated Rivalry’s first season is scheduled for release on December 26, 2025. The episode will be available to stream on HBO Max in the United States and on Crave in Canada. The show has already been renewed for a second season.
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