The new television series Heated Rivalry is sparking major conversations, and a big reason is the electric chemistry between its lead actors. In a recent interview, stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, along with showrunner Jacob Tierney, shared how that powerful on-screen connection was not something the directors had to create—it was there from the very first moment they met in the audition room.
The show, which started airing on November 28, tells the story of two top professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. While they are public rivals on the ice, they share a secret, years-long romantic relationship away from the public eye. For a story built so completely on the tension and passion between two people, finding the perfect pair was everything.
The Audition That Changed Everything
For Connor Storrie, the actor who plays Russian-American player Ilya Rozanov, the process of finding his co-star involved reading with several actors. He described the early auditions as good, but said everything changed when he met Hudson Williams.
“Hudson was the third actor that I read with,” Storrie said. “The first two I was like, ‘Okay, this is cool,’ and then Hudson came on. Jacob actually texted me directly and was like, ‘What do you think?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, Hudson, for sure.’ Instantly.”
The feeling was strongly mutual. Hudson Williams, who takes on the role of Canadian star Shane Hollander, also read with another actor first. While he thought it was good, his experience with Storrie was on another level entirely.
Williams struggled to describe the difference, pointing to a unique and powerful spark. “I read with one other possible Ilya, and it was good. But something about Connor… There was an inexplicable X-factor that just felt realer than what I thought it could possibly be,” Williams explained.
A Frank Review That Sealed The Deal
That “X-factor” was so intense that Williams gave showrunner Jacob Tierney a very direct, unfiltered review after the chemistry test with Storrie. During the interview, Williams could not remember his exact words and asked Tierney to share them.
Tierney revealed, “Hudson told me, ‘The other guy was good, but Connor felt like he was going to pin me down and f*ck me.’” He added, “That is literally what he said. And I was like, ‘Well, I think I cast this right.’”
This honest feedback was a clear sign to Tierney that he had found the right combination. For Storrie, hearing this story during the interview seemed to be a surprise. His reaction was one of amused shock: “Damn! Is that what it is?!”.
Why Casting The Pair Together Was Non-Negotiable
The show’s creative team knew from the start that they could not cast the roles of Shane and Ilya separately. The entire story depends on the dynamic between these two characters, making their chemistry the most important element of the show.
Jacob Tierney emphasized that the two actors were essentially hired as a pair because of their instant connection. “They were essentially cast at the same time. It was very clear to us that we needed to find Shane and Ilya together,” Tierney stated. He explained that many talented actors might be great on their own, but for this project, they needed to feel like they belonged in the same world from the very beginning. Tierney concluded, “This show lives and dies with them.”
From Page To Screen: How The Actors Found Their Characters
Heated Rivalry is based on the popular “Game Changers” book series by author Rachel Reid. Both actors approached the source material carefully. They did not read the books before their initial auditions, choosing to focus first on the scripts provided by Jacob Tierney.
Once they were further along in the process, they read the first book in the series to understand the heart of the story. Williams, however, made a specific choice to save the sequel, The Long Game, for after filming. He wanted to experience his character’s journey moment by moment without knowing his future.
Both actors spoke about deeply connecting with their roles. Williams said he “fell in love with Shane immediately,” even crying by the time he finished reading the script for episode six. He described Shane as a “pretty, neurotic character” who projects confidence but is filled with deep anxiety, which he found challenging and fun to play.
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Where And When To Watch The Show
Heated Rivalry premiered with two episodes on November 28, 2025. New episodes are released every Friday. The series is available on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the United States and Australia. The show’s full season is scheduled to run for six episodes.
The series also features a supporting cast including François Arnaud, Robbie GK, Sophie Nélisse, and Christina Chang.
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