Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie Talks about the Pressure of Filming First Intimate Scene

Actor Connor Storrie says filming the first intimate scene for HBO’s hit hockey series Heated Rivalry was more about technical precision than raw passion. The moment occurs early in the show when his character, the bold Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov, shares a charged encounter with his rival, Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams. In a recent interview, Storrie revealed the behind-the-scenes reality involved careful choreography, protective garments, and a constant focus on camera angles to maintain the scene’s integrity.

The show, which adapts Rachel Reid’s popular romance novels, follows the secret, years-long relationship between two professional hockey players from opposing teams. Since its debut on HBO Max and Crave, the series has quickly gained attention for its direct and story-driven approach to intimate scenes.

The Technical Reality Behind a Passionate Moment

For viewers, the early intimate scene between Ilya and Shane is a pivotal moment of intense connection. For the actors, it was a meticulously planned sequence. Storrie explained that a significant part of the process was a technical game of blocking and adjusting positions to ensure modesty garments, often called “cock socks,” remained out of the camera’s view.

“A lot of those sexual scenes, it’s about making sure that you move in a way that we don’t see our cock socks,” Storrie said. “It’s literally like, ‘My hand is going to be here. Your leg is going to be here. I’m going to hide myself with this.’ And then it’s a constant game of… ‘Oh, right. Yep, that’s great.’ ‘No, no. OK, now, we see it.’”

The show’s intimacy coordinator, Chala Hunter, was instrumental in creating a safe and clear environment. She used a kit with various padding options and intimacy garments to simulate action while protecting the performers. For instance, what might look like one actor’s face in another’s lap could be achieved by anchoring a forehead just above the groin area. Hunter also made discussions about involuntary bodily reactions a standard part of her pre-scene talks, normalizing it as a natural possibility and empowering actors to call for a pause without shame.

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Building Chemistry and Navigating Awkwardness

Before filming any scenes, Storrie and Williams dedicated a half-day rehearsal to walk through every intimate moment in the script with Hunter. This allowed them to establish boundaries and choreography in a low-pressure setting. Storrie admitted to initial nerves about kissing his co-star, whom he considers a good friend, but said the professionalism of the process quickly eased those feelings.

Interestingly, Storrie noted that he felt more nervous about his first regular speaking scene with Williams than their first intimate one, as both types of acting require deep vulnerability. On set, the actors used humor to handle awkward moments, and Hunter followed their lead, allowing space for laughter to relieve tension. Storrie also stayed in his Russian character accent from the moment he arrived on set until filming wrapped each day, which helped maintain the necessary creative space between his real self and Ilya.

Intimacy as Essential Storytelling

The intimate scenes in Heated Rivalry are not used as simple garnish. According to the actors and critics, they are the primary vehicle for the characters’ emotional development. The story follows two closeted athletes in the hyper-masculine world of professional hockey, where they have few opportunities for emotional honesty. Their physical connection becomes the only space where they can be vulnerable.

“Hopefully, this show proves how if you skip the sex scenes… you miss the story,” co-star Hudson Williams stated. “Most of the story is in that [intimate] 29%.”

The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, intentionally portrays Ilya as “sensitive and empathetic” in these moments, using them to reveal the caring nature beneath the character’s rebellious public persona. Each scene marks a step in the relationship’s evolution, from tentative first experiences to more emotionally charged encounters.

A Shift to Emotional Territory in Latest Episode

The most recent episode, “Rose,” which debuted on December 12, shifts the dynamic significantly. The characters move from secret hotel hookups to spending a day together at Ilya’s home in Boston. They cook tuna melts, talk about their lives, and cuddle on the couch—actions that feel more like a real relationship.

Storrie described these new scenes as feeling “new and uncomfortable and exciting in a different way” for the characters. The production reflected this change visually by shooting the scenes in the warm, natural daylight of a home, a contrast to the dim, moody lighting of earlier hotel encounters.

This new intimacy ultimately overwhelms Shane, leading to a panic-driven exit that sets the stage for new conflict. The episode ends with both men sparking public relationships with women, leading to a tense, jealous confrontation at a nightclub. The next episode, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” is scheduled for release on Friday, December 19.

The Actor’s Journey to Landing the Role

Storrie’s path to playing Ilya was unconventional. He was working as a waiter in Los Angeles and was on a final written warning for poor performance when he got the call that he had booked the role. For his audition tape, he made the deliberate choice to film shirtless, wanting the producers to see the physicality required for the part.

The actor has also recently finished his directorial debut, a low-budget feature film shot entirely on an iPhone. As for the future of Heated Rivalry, the series was officially renewed for a second season on December 12. Storrie believes the creative team will continue to stay true to Rachel Reid’s source material, which has seen a surge in popularity since the show’s release.

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