The new HBO series Heated Rivalry has quickly become a major topic of conversation. At the center of the show’s success are its two lead actors, who bring a beloved book romance to life with striking authenticity. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie play the rival hockey players turned secret lovers, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. For both actors, this series marks their first major leading roles, and their immediate chemistry has captured the attention of viewers and critics alike.
The show is a television adaptation of Rachel Reid’s popular hockey romance novel of the same name, which is part of her Game Changers book series. It premiered with two episodes on November 28, 2025, on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the United States and Australia. New episodes are released every Friday.
From Audition Room to On-Screen Spark
The powerful connection between Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie was evident from their very first meeting. During the audition process, the actors’ chemistry was so strong it became a defining factor in their casting.
Williams recalled reading with other actors for the part of Ilya, but said something was different with Storrie. He described an “inexplicable X-factor” that felt more real. Jacob Tierney, the show’s creator, shared the memorable quote Williams gave him after that audition.
“Hudson told me, ‘The other guy was good, but Connor felt like he was going to pin me down and fuck me,’” Tierney told Out Magazine. “That is literally what he said. And I was like, ‘Well, I think I cast this right.’”
Storrie had a similar instant reaction, telling Tierney “Yeah, Hudson, for sure” right after their first read together. Tierney has emphasized that the show’s success depended entirely on finding the right pair of actors who could share the screen believably.
Hudson Williams: The Golden Boy Shane Hollander
Hudson Williams portrays Shane Hollander, the captain of the Montreal Metros. In the story, Shane is a Canadian-born player celebrated for his skill and his clean, respectable public image. He comes from a supportive family but struggles with the fear that his sexuality could end his hockey career if discovered.
Williams is a Korean-Canadian actor from Vancouver. While Heated Rivalry is his breakthrough leading role, he has previously appeared in TV series like Tracker on CBS and Allegiance. He has also acted in several Canadian short films. In interviews, Williams has spoken about his mother’s initial concerns about his acting career, as she worried her Asian heritage might limit the roles available to him.
Connor Storrie: The Fiery Ilya Rozanov
Playing opposite Williams is Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov, the confident and complex captain of the Boston Raiders. Ilya is a Russian-born player whose tough exterior hides the pressures of coming from a cold, distant family and a country with harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Connor Storrie is a 25-year-old American actor who undertook a significant physical transformation to play the elite athlete. He is best known for a role in Joker: Folie à Deux and has also appeared in Hulu’s Tiny Beautiful Things and the film Riley. Despite being American, Storrie worked to master a Russian accent for the role and has expressed a long-time fascination with Russian language and culture.
The Supporting Team and Story
The series features a strong supporting cast that includes other characters from Rachel Reid’s literary universe. François Arnaud plays Scott Hunter, a character who is the protagonist of the first Game Changers novel, Game Changer. Robbie G.K. plays Kip Grady, Scott’s love interest. The third episode of the series, scheduled for December 5, 2025, will focus specifically on Scott and Kip’s story.
Other cast members include Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Shane’s parents, and Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry. The show is created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney, known for his work on Letterkenny and Shoresy.
Fan Reaction and Rising Fame
The response to the series and its stars has been swift and dramatic. Social media metrics show both actors have experienced a meteoric rise in popularity since the show’s premiere. In the 72 hours following the November 28 debut, Connor Storrie gained approximately 84,000 new Instagram followers, bringing his total to around 128,000. Hudson Williams gained about 87,000 new followers in the same period, reaching roughly 126,000. Just before the premiere, each actor had fewer than 50,000 followers, indicating how quickly the show has boosted their profiles.
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A Focus on Performance Over Personal Life
As the show draws attention, some viewers have questioned the real-life sexualities of the lead actors. Show creator Jacob Tierney has addressed this directly, stating that an actor’s personal life is not relevant to their ability to play a role.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to get into that stuff,” Tierney said in an interview. “What you have to gauge is somebody’s enthusiasm and willingness to do the work. And that’s what’s so impressive about both of these guys is they came into this being like, ‘Yeah, we’re here to do this, and we are here to make this story feel authentic.’”
The full first season of Heated Rivalry consists of six episodes. Following the two-part premiere, the release schedule continues with Episode 3 on December 5, Episode 4 on December 12, Episode 5 on December 19, and the season finale on December 26.
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