Hudson Williams Calls Connor Storrie His 'Emotional Support Person'

Fans have expressed widespread enthusiasm after Hudson Williams described his Heated Rivalry costar Connor Storrie as his "emotional support person"in a recent interview at the Golden Globes. The comment, made during live coverage on January 12, 2026, underscores the pair's close professional and personal rapport as they promote the breakout series.

Heated Rivalry, adapted from Rachel Reid's bestselling "Game Changer"book series by writer-director Jacob Tierney, follows the decade-long secret romance between closeted professional hockey players Shane Hollander, played by Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Storrie. The series portrays the two team captains as fierce rivals on the ice who navigate their growing feelings off it, blending intense sports action with intimate queer relationships in a hyper-masculine environment. Tierney has emphasized the project's goal of showcasing queer joy, stating on the What Chaos! podcast, “That’s the whole appeal. That’s why I made it. What I wanted to put out into the world was queer joy: The idea that we’re allowed to exist, we’re allowed to have sex, we’re allowed to be in love, we’re allowed to live. ”

Williams, 24, spoke exclusively with E! News host Zuri Hall during Live From E! : Golden Globes 2026, reacting to the show's sudden popularity. He described feeling "grateful"but "nervous, "noting the overwhelming influx of emails and messages following the series'success. Addressing his chemistry with Storrie, Williams said they connected instantly but worked to differentiate their characters'dynamic: "Connor and I had chemistry instantly, but then we had to find a way to have Shane and Ilya to have chemistry, which is different than our own. " He characterized Storrie's Ilya as a "Slavic rock"contrasting his expressive nature, while Shane is more reserved.

The "emotional support person"reference, highlighted by Gay Times, has fueled fan gushing on social media, with many celebrating the actors'supportive friendship amid the show's rise. This moment aligns with broader fervor around Heated Rivalry, including appearances by Williams and Storrie at high-profile events like the Golden Globes and late-night shows. Social media buzz has extended to brands and media, such as Ottawa Tourism updating its profile to reference Shane Hollander's fictional birthplace and appearances on Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

The series has resonated deeply within LGBTQ+ communities and beyond, drawing even straight hockey podcasters known as Empty Netters, who became emotionally invested while reviewing episodes. One podcaster, Chris Powers, reacted viscerally to a tense finale moment, yelling, “I was told this was *not* this type of show and this would *not* happen! ” before stepping away. Williams has received messages from closeted professional athletes since the premiere, and the show is viewed in Russia, where public coming out remains risky. Additionally, author Rachel Reid, diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2023, connected with a treatment expert after Tierney shared her story.

A standout scene features Storrie delivering a four-page Russian monologue in episode five, learned just before filming, leading into a dramatic NHL finals sequence. Tierney called it his proudest career moment, pouring years of experience into creating emotional impact. With cinematography by Jackson Parrell, production by Brendan Brady, and music by Peter Peter, the series has been hailed as a "hat trick"blending romance, sports, and representation. As queer stories gain mainstream traction in sports media, Heated Rivalry exemplifies affirming narratives for transgender people, gay men, and broader LGBTQ+ audiences seeking visibility and joy.