sports

January 17, 2026

‘Thank you for tweeting about our butts!’: seven things you need to know about Heated Rivalry’s sudden superstars

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have gone from waiting tables to ‘One Direction-level’ fame in a matter of months, upstaging A-listers at the Golden Globes last week. What’s next?

‘Thank you for tweeting about our butts!’: seven things you need to know about Heated Rivalry’s sudden superstars

TL;DR

  • Heated Rivalry, a Canadian TV series about two closeted hockey players, has become a sensation in North America.
  • The show's stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, experienced a rapid rise to fame, with Storrie previously appearing in Joker: Folie à Deux.
  • Heated Rivalry was acquired by HBO Max and became its top-rated live-action acquisition ever.
  • The series is celebrated for its representation of a same-sex romance in professional sports and has been embraced by various audiences.
  • Fans have created significant online buzz around the show and its stars, with Williams and Storrie gaining millions of followers.
  • The show is credited with sparking conversations about homophobia in sports and has reportedly encouraged some athletes to come out.
  • There is criticism from some who call the show 'pornographic smut' and question its real-world relevance.
  • The NHL sees the show as a unique driver for creating new fans, and Canada's heritage minister praised it while noting its racy content.
  • Production for a second season is fast-tracked, and a third book in the series is planned.
  • The stars are working intensely to promote the show, with future projects in development for both.

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