'Heated Rivalry' Chemistry Exploded When Hudson Williams Made X-Rated Comment About Connor Storrie During Auditions

Finding the right pair to lead a show typically involves months of chemistry tests and casting negotiations. However, the team adapting Heated Rivalry for HBO Max had a different experience, with the final casting choice coming down to a single, raw reaction that sealed the deal on the spot.

Audiences can already see the sparks flying between Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in the hit series. Now, the actors are opening up about the specific moment in the audition room that showed everyone their chemistry was not just acting, and it involved an X-rated comment from Williams that left showrunner Jacob Tierney convinced he had found his leads.

Finding the Real Spark for Shane and Ilya

Adapting Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov's complicated dynamic needed more than just talent. The showrunners were not looking for two actors who could simply memorise lines, but rather a genuine connection strong enough to anchor the entire show.

Tierney emphasised that casting them separately was never an option, noting that the production team needed to find their Shane and Ilya simultaneously. 'There are terrific actors who are in different shows,' Tierney explained. 'You need to find the people who are going to be together in the same show, and that's what the two of them had quite instantly.'

According to Tierney, the project 'lives and dies' with these characters, making the stakes for the chemistry reads exceptionally high. It was during this high-pressure environment that Storrie and Williams first crossed paths, and the impact was immediate for both parties.

The Reading That Changed It All

Connor Storrie, who plays the show's charismatic Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov, still remembers the exact instant when the atmosphere in the room shifted. Having already read with two other potential co-stars, Storrie admitted those interactions were serviceable but lacked a certain edge.

'Hudson was the third actor that I read with. The first two I was like, "Okay, this is cool," and then Hudson came on,' Storrie told Out.

After the reading, Storrie received a text message from Tierney asking for his thoughts. He did not hesitate in his response: 'Yeah, Hudson, for sure.'

For Williams, the experience was equally profound but marked by a much more visceral reaction. He had read with another actor for the role of Ilya, describing the session as 'good', but his interaction with Storrie had an X-factor to it that felt grounded and far more intense than he had expected.

Hudson Williams' Blunt Confession Sealed the Deal

The chemistry in the room was undeniable, but it was Williams' private comment to the showrunner that really captured the tension between them. Rather than repeating his thoughts directly to the press, Williams deferred to Tierney to recount the specific, X-rated observation he made following the audition.

Tierney did not mince words when revealing what Williams had whispered to him. 'Hudson told me, "The other guy was good, but Connor felt like he was going to pin me down and f*ck me."'

The blunt assessment came as a surprise to Storrie when it was recounted during their joint interview. 'Damn! Is that what it is?' Storrie replied, clearly amused by his co-star's candour.

Tierney confirmed the accuracy of the quote, noting that his immediate internal reaction was a sense of relief: 'Well, I think I cast this right.'

Why This Viral Moment Matters For The Adaptation

This behind-the-scenes revelation has circulated widely on social media, serving as a testament to the casting team's instincts. Since the show is built entirely on the intense and often aggressive attraction between two rival athletes, the fact that the actors clicked immediately adds authenticity to what audiences see on screen.

It proves the tension on display comes from a real place, with that spark present before cameras ever started rolling.