Heated Rivalry was the juggernaut no one saw coming. Based on the Game Changers series of male–male romance novels by Rachel Reid, the television series was created, written, directed, and produced by Jacob Tierney. Building off Reid’s work, it takes a narrative built largely on fleeting sexual encounters and expands it with layers and layers of real — and relatable — emotion.
Much of that success comes down to the performances, which are absolutely pitch-perfect — especially those from series leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
Williams is Shane Hollander. A phenom in the hockey world, Shane was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, the cherished center of a small and steady universe. As an only child, he was raised in a home of warmth and love. Half-Japanese (on his mother’s side), Shane wanted for little.
Born on 13 February 2001 inin Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, Williams is of Korean and Dutch descent.
Growing up, Williams played basketball and practiced mixed martial arts
After graduating from the Film Arts program at Langara College in 2020Williams began writing and directing short films while waiting tables between auditions.
Hudson Williams Socials
Storrie is Ilya Rozanov, who was raised in Russia by a father and brother who saw him as little more than a meal ticket. Serious and stern, and as a bisexual man in one of the world’s most homophobic countries, Rozanov’s life was a far cry from the one Hollander was brought up in.
Born on 22 February 2000 in Odessa, Texas, Storrie spent his childhood flipping between worlds — literally. Early gymnastics training gave him a sense of discipline and flight, while a budding fascination with acting and languages hinted at the storyteller he would later become – as did several adorable YouTube videos.
When his family moved to the Conejo Valley near Ventura, California, those interests found room to bloom. Storrie began chasing acting with real intent, juggling auditions in Los Angeles with shifts as a restaurant waiter.
Connor Storrie Socials
Despite being so different Rozanov and Hollander found common ground in the game — and in the slow bloom of the unmistakable feelings they share for one another.
While the steam and sensuality were the initial grab for what I thought was going to be a guilty pleasure, the story that evolved was nothing short of binge-worthy.
Williams played into Hollander’s autistic tendencies with simplistic choices that, if you don’t recognize the tics, don’t detract from the story, but if you do… make his performance even more brilliant. Plus, I’ve seen that Instagram story — the guy’s hysterical. Somehow, that only makes him more attractive.
Throughout the series’ six episodes, you’re pulled into a world I honestly never saw myself giving a damn about, and by the finale, everyone I know was in tears (myself included). It’s just an incredibly well-rounded series, and I am so glad that it’s been picked up for a second season.
Over the next few days I’ll be posting my review of each episode. I’m telling everyone I know about this series. It really is something special.
Life In Cartoon Motion 