The author of the “Game Changers” novels initially envisioned an actor with authentic Russian heritage to play the role, a condition that series star Connor Storrie did not meet at first glance.
Heated Rivalry has become a global television phenomenon, praised for the electric chemistry between its leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. For author Rachel Reid, seeing Storrie embody Ilya Rozanov was a surreal experience, but her initial vision for the character was far from the American actor who now wears number 81 for the Boston Raiders. In a recent interview, Reid revealed the fundamental casting requirement she and showrunner Jacob Tierney originally agreed upon, and how Storrie’s unforgettable audition completely changed their minds.
The Author’s Initial Requirement: Authentic Russian Heritage
When discussions about adapting Heated Rivalry for television began, Rachel Reid had one non-negotiable condition for the actor playing Ilya Rozanov: he needed to be believably Russian. The character’s Moscow-born background, complicated relationship with his homeland, and native language are central to his identity and the story’s conflict.
Reid was firm on this point with showrunner Jacob Tierney. “It was a thing where we said that he pretty much has to be actually Russian because if he’s not, it’s going to be so distracting,” Reid explained. “People will be able to tell. The whole thing falls apart if he’s not believably Russian.”
So, when Tierney later told her he had found a talented actor for the role who was American with no Russian heritage, Reid was understandably skeptical. Her reaction was, “Well, OK, if you say so.” This actor was Connor Storrie, a 25-year-old from Odessa, Texas, who was working as a waiter and on the verge of losing his job when the casting call came through.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Connor Storrie’s approach to his audition tape was as bold as the character he hoped to play. Understanding the physical and intimate nature of the role, he made a decisive choice. “I was like, ‘If we’re doing a show that heavily involves sex,’” Storrie recalled. “So I took off my shirt, even though it didn’t say that. I had my shirt off the entire time because I was like, ‘If we’re doing that, you all have to see what these people look like naked.’”
The gamble worked. Tierney was impressed, but the true test came with the chemistry read alongside actors auditioning for Shane Hollander. Hudson Williams, who would eventually win the part of Shane, read with several potential Ilyas. He noted that while others were good, something was different with Storrie.
“I read with one other possible Ilya, and it was good,” Williams said. “But something about Connor… There was an inexplicable X-factor that just felt realer than what I thought it could possibly be.” That “X-factor” was so potent that Williams later told Tierney a now-famous quote about the audition. The showrunner recalled, “Hudson told me, ‘The other guy was good, but Connor felt like he was going to pin me down and f*ck me.’ That is literally what he said. And I was like, ‘Well, I think I cast this right.’”
Tierney has emphasized that casting the two leads together was the only way to approach the series. “They were essentially cast at the same time. It was very clear to us that we needed to find Shane and Ilya together,” he stated. “This show lives and dies with them.”
Meeting Ilya: The Author’s On-Set Revelation
Rachel Reid’s first encounter with Connor Storrie did not happen in a casting office but on the closed set of the series’ first and longest sex scene. Storrie, staying in character, approached her.
“He looked so much like Ilya and he speaks with a Russian accent all day while on set,” Reid recalls. “He was asking all these thoughtful questions about the character. I couldn’t even talk to him because it’s like I’m explaining Ilya to Ilya. It was very weird, but I could tell right away he was really smart and funny and charming. He’s so talented and fearless. I mean, introducing yourself to the author for the first time while doing a Russian accent is, I think, a fearless choice.”
This meeting dissolved any lingering doubts. Reid admitted that based on early photos, she hadn’t been able to see the actors as her characters. Seeing them in person, performing with a palpable, intense connection, was the final proof she needed. The authenticity she had initially sought through heritage was achieved instead through Storrie’s deep commitment, intensive language work with dialect coach Kate Yablunovsky, and a performance that has resonated with millions.
The Aftermath of a Smash Hit
The success of Heated Rivalry has been meteoric. The series, initially produced for Canadian streamer Crave, was acquired by HBO Max and became its top debut for an acquired, non-animated title since the platform’s 2019 launch. Almost overnight, Storrie and Williams transitioned from relative unknowns to stars navigating newfound fame, celebrated at industry events and recognized on the street.
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For Reid, the show’s triumph has had a profound personal impact beyond bestseller lists and a renewed cultural spotlight. The author, who has been public about her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, shared that after Tierney discussed her health on CNN, a world-leading Parkinson’s expert reached out to her. This connection has led to new medical consultations and treatment adjustments, directly stemming from the show’s visibility.
The series has been renewed for a second season, with Reid and Tierney aligned on its direction. The focus will remain on Ilya and Shane’s story, primarily adapting the sequel novel The Long Game. As for the actor who defied the author’s original casting vision, Connor Storrie’s faith is in the source material and the team behind it: “The only way to make this make sense is to stick to the books and also honor the fandom of the people who are really spearheading this whole thing.”
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