The lead actors from the popular Canadian TV series “Heated Rivalry” have been chosen as torchbearers for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympic Games. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, known for their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the Crave-produced show, will be carrying the Olympic flame. Williams hails from Kelowna, B.C., while Storrie is American.
The characters they portray, Hollander and Rozanov, are depicted as elite hockey players and rivals who navigate complex emotions towards each other both on and off the ice. “Heated Rivalry” is set to debut in Italy on Feb. 1 on HBO Max, an official broadcaster for the Milan Cortina Games, with Canadian viewers able to enjoy the show on Crave.
With 16 days remaining until the Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 6, anticipation is building for the event. The series “Heated Rivalry” has already secured a second season following its successful run on streaming services in Canada and the U.S.
The TV show, consisting of six episodes, is inspired by the gay hockey romance book series “Game Changers” by Canadian author Rachel Reid. The screen adaptation was penned by Canadian writer Jacob Tierney, known for his work on “Letterkenny” and the hockey comedy “Shoresy,” where he serves as co-writer, director, and executive producer.
