Key Insights

• Career Rise: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams gained significant fame through the series Heated Rivalry.
• Character Dynamics: Connor plays Ilya Rozanov, while Hudson portrays Shane Hollander in a complex relationship.
• Audition Chemistry: Both actors felt an instant connection during auditions, which was crucial for their roles.
• Diverse Talents: Besides acting, Connor is also a writer and director, showcasing his versatility in the industry.

Thanks to Crave and HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry, co-stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams‘ celebrity status shot to new heights. The Canadian LGBTQ sports series follows Connor as the fictional Russian-American hockey captain Ilya Rozanov and Hudson as Canadian rival hockey star Shane Hollander, who engage in a secret, long-standing sexual relationship.

During a November 2025 interview with Out Magazine, both actors described how much they clicked during the auditions, which called for instant and steamy chemistry.

“Hudson was the third actor that I read with,” Connor told the publication.  “The first two [actors], I was like, ‘Okay, this is cool,’ and then, Hudson came on. [Showrunner] Jacob [Tierney] actually texted me directly and was like, ‘What do you think?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, Hudson, for sure.’ Instantly.”

For Hudson’s part, he echoed his co-star’s sentiment by saying, “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. And that was something.”

Hollywood Life has compiled everything we know about Connor and his acting career below.

Connor Is Not of Russian Descent — He’s From Texas

Despite his convincing Russian accent in Heated Rivalry, Connor is actually a Texas native, according to multiple outlets. During an interview with Etalk, Connor discussed why he was drawn to perfecting his dialect skills.

“Honestly, I’ve always just thought Russian language and Russian culture was really cool,” the actor said. “It’s so different from American culture, so it feels really exotic and out there. … Getting to play anything that is as far away from me as possible, I feel like is really enlightening. It’s also just fun to put on that sort of posture. It lets you discover things about yourself and about the world. It’s easier to play that way too because I’m not so concerned about being Connor.”

Connor Is Also a Writer & a Director

In addition to being an actor, Connor is also a writer and a director, per his IMDb page.

Connor Appeared in Joker: Folie à Deux

One of Connor’s most recognizable big-screen appearances was in Joker: Folie à Deux as a young inmate.

Connor Has Been Acting in Film Since 2018

As seen on his IMDb profile, Connor has been acting in film since 2018.

Connor Is About 25 Years Old

According to several outlets, Connor is about 25 years old today.