A quiet tribute in the closing moments of Heated Rivalry’s first season has touched viewers. The final episode featured a dedication to Sam Willetts, a lighting technician who worked on the show. Willetts died in an accident in the summer of 2025.
The dedication appears during the last scene of the season finale. Fans see the show’s main couple, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), driving away from Shane’s family home. As this peaceful scene plays, a simple message shows on the screen for those watching the credits: “In loving memory of Sam Willetts”.
Where The Tribute Appears In The Finale
The tribute is part of the final sequence in Season 1, Episode 6. The episode concludes with Shane and Ilya heading to Shane’s cottage for a summer together. The last shot is filmed from the back seat of their car, showing the two characters driving into the distance. This reflective moment is paired with the written dedication to Willetts in the end credits.
This placement gives the tribute a special feeling. The quiet, hopeful ending of the characters’ story is linked with the real-life memory of a crew member. It is a common practice in television and film to dedicate an episode to the memory of someone connected to the production.
Who Was Sam Willetts?
Sam Willetts was a lighting technician for Heated Rivalry. His job on set was to help create the look and mood of each scene through lighting. This work is important for shows like Heated Rivalry, where lighting helps tell an emotional story.
Beyond his work on the show, Willetts was a young filmmaker from Canada. He was born in Toronto on September 25, 1996, and grew up in Ottawa. He graduated from York University’s film production program in 2019. His goal was to become a cinematographer.
Outside of work, Willetts loved the outdoors, art, and photography. His personal Instagram account showed pictures from his travels and everyday life. Friends and family remember him as a person with a gentle nature and many creative talents.
Tragically, Willetts died on July 31, 2025, at the age of 28. Reports state he was in a cycling accident while on his way to work. His mother shared the news of his passing on his Instagram account on August 7, 2025. A memorial bike ride was held in his honor in September of that year. Willetts was also an organ donor.
The Role Of A Lighting Technician
The dedication highlights an often unseen but important role in filmmaking. A lighting technician, also called a gaffer or best boy electric, works under the direction of the cinematographer. Their team sets up, adjusts, and controls all the lights on a film or TV set.
Lighting shapes how a scene feels. It can make a moment look warm and romantic, cold and lonely, or tense and dramatic. For a series like Heated Rivalry, which focuses on the private and public lives of athletes, lighting helps show the difference between the bright, public arena and their more intimate personal moments. The tribute to Willetts shows how much the show’s creators valued this behind-the-scenes work.
Fan And Viewer Reactions
Since the finale was released, many fans have asked about the dedication they saw. Online discussions show viewers were moved by the simple message and wanted to know more about who Sam Willetts was. The tribute has made some fans think more about the many people who work hard to create the shows they love.
The show’s first season became available for streaming on November 28, 2025, on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the United States. The season was confirmed to have a second season on December 12, 2025.
