The Winter Olympics are gaining extra attention thanks to two stars from Heated Rivalry: Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
The actors from the popular Crave/HBO Max drama have been chosen to serve as official torchbearers for the Olympic Torch Relay, which culminates in Milan on Feb. 6 ahead of the opening ceremony. HBO Max confirmed the selection, though it has not yet revealed the specific locations or times when Williams and Storrie will carry the torch. The relay was passing through Trieste on Thursday and was scheduled to move on to Udine on Friday.
“HBO Max today announced that Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, stars of the Crave Original series Heated Rivalry, have been selected to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay as official torchbearers for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026,” the streamer said in a statement.
As part of HBO Max’s European expansion, the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be available to stream on the platform for viewers in Europe. In the United States, broadcast and streaming rights remain with NBC and Peacock.
Since its November debut, Heated Rivalry — adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels — has become a global phenomenon. The series earned an official renewal for a second season in December, and a third book focused on Shane and Ilya’s relationship, titled Unrivaled, is slated for release in September.
Williams and Storrie have quickly risen to widespread recognition for their portrayals of closeted rival pro hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the steamy romance. Williams recently described the experience of sudden fame as something he hadn’t been able to prepare for during an appearance on the Shut Up Evan podcast.
Before his breakthrough, Williams supported himself by waitressing in Canada. He said he’s now trying to carve out “a sort of semblance of privacy” while adjusting to the unusual dynamics of rapid celebrity.
“It’s hard to complain because for a long time I’ve been a cliché of an actor — you know, struggling server, paycheck to paycheck, desperate for any role, let alone a good one,” he said. “I was just talking with one of my agents yesterday, and she said Connor and I have had to learn what a lot of actors get in five years in like 30 days.”
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
