Hudson Williams, the star of the queer hockey drama 'Heated Rivalry,' disclosed in a January 7 interview that closeted professional athletes have messaged him, praising the show's representation. The 24-year-old actor shared these insights while promoting the series, which explores romance and toxic masculinity in sports, ahead of his Tonight Show appearance in New York City.
Hudson Williams, who plays Shane Hollander in HBO Max's 'Heated Rivalry'—a series adapted from Rachel Reid's novel, recapping standout season 1 moments like tense romances and public confessions—spoke with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM's Radio Andy Live on January 7, 2026.
Williams revealed receiving anonymous direct messages from closeted professional athletes thanking him for the representation. Contacts came from hockey, football, and basketball players; some initially messaged author Rachel Reid, who forwarded them, while others reached Williams directly on Instagram. He noted the emotional impact, especially given his character's intense romance with Connor Storrie's Ilya.
Premiering on Canada's Crave before HBO Max, the show dismantling toxic masculinity in sports has been renewed for season 2. Williams also addressed on-screen physical affection with Storrie, his character's shoulder scar origin, and witnessing key scenes like the Skip's kiss.
