The lead actors from the hit Canadian ice hockey series “Heated Rivalry” have been selected as torchbearers for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who portray Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the Crave-produced show, will participate in carrying the Olympic flame. Williams hails from Kelowna, British Columbia, while Storrie is of American descent.
The characters Hollander and Rozanov, depicted as top-notch hockey players and rivals with complex off-ice dynamics, have captured the audience’s attention. “Heated Rivalry” is set to debut on HBO Max in Italy on February 1, coinciding with the official broadcast rights for the Milan Cortina Games. Canadian viewers can tune in to Crave for continued access to the series.
With only 16 days remaining until the Olympic opening ceremony on February 6, the torch’s journey is nearing its conclusion. Following its remarkable success on streaming services in Canada and the U.S., “Heated Rivalry” has been greenlit for a second season.
The six-episode show is inspired by the gay ice hockey romance series “Game Changers” by Canadian author Rachel Reid. The screen adaptation, penned by Canadian Jacob Tierney for Crave, showcases his talents as a co-writer, director, and executive producer of the beloved sitcom “Letterkenny.” Additionally, Tierney serves as an executive producer and director for the hockey comedy “Shoresy.”