Heated Rivalry followers, this one’s for you. Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are formally taking their skills far past the rink — the breakout stars have been chosen as Olympic torchbearers for the Milan Cortina Winter Video games 2026.
HBO Max introduced the thrilling information on January 22, confirming that the actors will take part within the iconic Olympic Torch Relay forward of the Opening Ceremony on February 6 in Milan. The streamer, which distributes Heated Rivalry within the U.S., known as the duo “official torchbearers” for the upcoming Winter Video games.
“HBO Max at the moment introduced that Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, stars of the Crave Authentic collection HEATED RIVALRY, have been chosen to participate within the Olympic Torch Relay as official torchbearers for the Olympic Winter Video games Milano Cortina 2026,” the community mentioned in an announcement.
Whereas the precise date and placement of Williams’ and Storrie’s relay look haven’t but been disclosed, the torch has already been touring by Italy, passing by cities like Trieste and Udine on its journey to Milan.
The announcement is yet one more main milestone for Heated Rivalry, which has quietly turn into one of the crucial talked-about TV hits of the 2025–26 season since premiering in November. Primarily based on the beloved romance novels by Rachel Reid, the collection rapidly constructed a passionate fanbase because of its emotional storytelling, slow-burn romance and plain chemistry between its leads.
The present follows Shane Hollander (Williams), the captain of the Montreal Metros, and Ilya Rozanov (Storrie), a star participant for the Boston Raiders. Although fierce rivals on the ice, the 2 fall right into a secret romance that unfolds over a number of years. Because the official logline explains, they’re “torn between the game they stay for and the love they will’t ignore,” struggling simply as a lot with their emotions off the ice as they do competing for glory on it.
Season 1 additionally featured a robust supporting solid, together with François Arnaud, Christina Chang, Sophie Nélisse, Robbie G.Ok. and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, serving to cement the collection as each a sports activities drama and a heartfelt love story.
And the excellent news doesn’t cease there. Whereas followers have been anxiously awaiting updates on Season 2, Storrie just lately provided some much-needed readability. Throughout an look on the TODAY present, the actor revealed that manufacturing on the second season is anticipated to start in summer season 2026.
“I believe Jacob’s nonetheless writing it,” Storrie mentioned, referring to showrunner Jacob Tierney, earlier than including {that a} summer season shoot — probably beginning in June — is the present objective.
If the collection sticks to its famously fast-paced manufacturing schedule, followers might not have to attend too lengthy. Season 1 was filmed in simply 36 days and premiered solely eight months later, making an early 2027 return a sensible chance.
