How Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie Aced Chemistry

Hudson Williams scored more than just goals on Heated Rivalry.

The Canadian actor, who plays Shane Hollander in the Crave/HBO Max series, clearly had great chemistry with his co-star, Connor Storrie (Ilya Rozanov). He explained how they built that connection while attending the Golden Globes on January 11th, hosted by Nikki Glaser at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Hudson, looking sharp in a custom white Armani suit, told Zuri Hall during an interview on Live from TopMob: Golden Globes 2026 that she and Connor immediately connected. However, they then faced the challenge of creating a similar connection between Shane and Ilya.

Oh my gosh, you wouldn’t BELIEVE how close Sam and Alex got while filming! They seriously hung out all the time off-camera, really working on that bond between Shane and Ilya. Sam even said their characters are totally different from who they are as people, so they had to build that connection from scratch, and they really did! It was amazing to watch.

Connor is very animated and full of expression. Ilya, according to the 24-year-old presenter, has a strong, almost rugged personality – like a Slavic rock star. And Shane is the opposite – quiet and solid, like a brick. So, it’s a bit of a contrast: one is a lively ‘Slavic rock’ and the other a ‘dense brick.’

Hudson and Connor’s dedication really shone through. Their series, Heated Rivalry, quickly became incredibly popular and resonated with viewers worldwide. Many LGBTQ+ athletes, including those who aren’t openly out, have even contacted the actors to share how much the show meant to them.

Hudson shared that he’s been receiving messages from current professional athletes who are not openly gay. These athletes are reaching out anonymously, and Hudson explained that they’re also contacting the book’s author, Rachel Reid, sharing their stories with her directly. He discussed this on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM show, Radio Andy, on January 7th.

He mentioned that athletes from hockey, football, and basketball have been contacting him, sometimes privately through Instagram. He said these personal messages are particularly impactful, showing that while the show is enjoyable and positive, it also deeply resonates with people on an emotional level.

Check out all the celebrities who made a splash on the red carpet at the 2026 Golden Globes!