The actress behind Svetlana in Heated Rivalry, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, has shared the comic book character she would most love to bring to life on screen. In a recent discussion about her interests beyond the hit hockey drama, Kharlamova revealed her passion for a specific DC Comics hero. The actress stated she would want to play Starfire in filmmaker James Gunn‘s new DC Universe.
Heated Rivalry Star Reveals Superhero Ambitions
During an interview about her role in the popular series, Kharlamova talked about her current personal obsessions, which include major fantasy franchises and comic books. She expressed a particular enthusiasm for the world of Avatar and noted she has been reading a lot of X-Men comics. Her comic book interest extends specifically to DC’s Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman series, which offer fresh takes on classic heroes. This deep dive into superhero lore naturally led to questions about her own casting dreams within those universes.
When asked which cinematic world she would like to join, Kharlamova did not hesitate. She directly named Starfire as the character she would love to portray. Starfire, also known as Koriand’r, is a fan-favorite alien princess from the planet Tamaran. She is a core member of the Teen Titans, known for her bright orange skin, vibrant red hair, and ability to fly and project ultraviolet energy. The character has been adapted in several animated series and was previously portrayed in live-action on the television series Titans.
Fan Reactions to the Potential Casting Idea
The idea of Kharlamova taking on the role of Starfire generated immediate discussion on social media. Many fans who saw her comments agreed that her look and background made her a fitting choice for the Tamaranean hero. One supporter pointed out, “She would kill it, and she speaks Russian in the show so I bet she would be good at speaking Starfires language, not to mention her hair is pretty much spot on”. Others noted that her striking features matched the character’s iconic appearance from the comics.
Some fans saw the potential benefit of casting a rising actress who is not yet a household name for such a significant role. One comment read, “I have no idea who she is’ EXACTLY, which would make this casting pretty great! unknown + the look”. Other reactions playfully considered the physical transformation, with one fan joking about the need for “a orange spray tan and some boots” to complete the look.
From The Boys to Heated Rivalry: Kharlamova’s Career
Kharlamova’s interest in joining a major superhero project follows her own path in the industry. The Toronto-based actress began her on-screen career with a role on Amazon Prime’s superhero satire The Boys in 2016. She has since appeared in other series like CBC’s Strays and Roku’s Slip. Her breakout role, however, came with the 2025 series Heated Rivalry, where she plays Svetlana, the supportive and understanding friend to lead character Ilya Rozanov.
The role of Svetlana was significant for Kharlamova as it marked the first time she performed in Russian, her first language, for a television part. She has spoken about the importance of her character, who represents unwavering acceptance and allyship. “I hope people see that if this show has gotten so much love, that these people can as well โ if theyโre closeted, or living in more conservative countries,” Kharlamova said, highlighting the show’s impact.
The Future of Starfire in James Gunn’s DC Universe
The actress’s comments are specifically tied to the upcoming DC Universe being developed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Gunn, who directed Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, is now the co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios. He is overseeing a complete reboot of DC’s film and television slate, which is set to include new, interconnected stories for characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. While projects like Superman: Legacy are in active development, official plans for the Teen Titans or Starfire have not been formally announced.
Kharlamova’s fan casting joins a long tradition of actors publicly expressing interest in iconic comic book roles. Whether this leads to an actual audition or consideration remains to be seen, as casting for most DC Universe projects is still in early stages. For now, Kharlamova is focused on her current success. She has expressed hopes for Heated Rivalry Season 2, wishing to see her character, Svetlana, become more involved in the hockey world and potentially meet Shane Hollander, Ilya’s love interest. She will also appear in the upcoming Amazon series Sterling Point, scheduled for 2026.
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