Behind the Scenes of ‘Heated Rivalry’: Stars Share Their Audition Chemistry Experience
As the new series Heated Rivalry captivates hockey fans, its creators and stars are revealing the chemistry that developed behind the scenes. The show, produced for Crave and HBO Max, explores the intense dynamics of professional hockey, both on and off the ice.
Jacob Tierney, the series creator, noted that actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie had an immediate connection during auditions. Storrie, who portrays Ilya Rozanov, shared his experience, stating, “Hudson was the third actor that I read with. The first two I was like, ‘Okay, this is cool,’ and then Hudson came on.” He emphasized that Tierney even texted him, asking for his opinion, to which he replied, “Yeah, Hudson, for sure. Instantly.”
Williams, who plays Shane Hollander, addressed his audition experience as well. “I read with one other possible Ilya, and it was good. But something about Connor… There was an inexplicable X-factor that just felt realer than what I thought it could possibly be,” he explained.
Tierney recalled a memorable remark from Williams about Storrie: “Hudson told me, ‘The other guy was good, but Connor felt like he was going to pin me down and f*ck me.’ … I was like, ‘Well, I think I cast this right.’”
The casting decision came at a crucial time, as Tierney emphasized, “They were essentially cast at the same time. It was very clear to us that we needed to find Shane and Ilya together. This show lives and dies with them.” He concluded that finding actors who would complement each other in their roles was essential to the show’s success.
Heated Rivalry, airing new episodes every Friday on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the U.S., follows two leading Major League Hockey players who maintain a hidden romance amid their public rivalry. The series is an adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novels and features a notable cast, including François Arnaud, Robbie GK, Sophie Nélisse, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Dylan Walsh, and Christina Chang.
Amid the excitement surrounding the show, audiences are eager to see how the on-screen relationship between Hollander and Rozanov unfolds, against the backdrop of their professional commitments.
