Connor Storrie’s first appearance on late-night television came with the kind of buzz most actors spend years chasing. The 25-year-old star of Heated Rivalry made his debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and demand to see him in person was so high that NBC shut down standby tickets entirely, a rare move that underscored just how fast the series has caught fire.
Taped on January 12 and airing shortly after midnight on January 13, Storrie’s interview followed a packed weekend that included a stop at the Golden Globes, where he presented alongside co-star Hudson Williams. The rapid shift from awards season glamour to Studio 8G didn’t slow him down. If anything, the appearance cemented Heated Rivalry as more than a word-of-mouth favorite.
From Streaming Surprise to Ratings Powerhouse
Adapted from Rachel Reid’s popular novels and developed for television by Jacob Tierney, Heated Rivalry centers on a secret relationship between two rival professional hockey players. Williams plays Shane Hollander of the fictional Montreal Metros, while Storrie stars as Boston Raiders standout Ilya Rozanov.
The show’s growth has been striking. According to Luminate, Heated Rivalry pulled in roughly 30 million streaming minutes during its debut week on HBO Max. By the week after its six-episode finale, that number had jumped to more than 324 million minutes, a surge that reflects how quickly the series found an audience on both sides of the border.
“I Don’t Do the Skating”
On Late Night, Storrie leaned into self-deprecating humor while reflecting on his rise. He joked that he had only two weeks to prepare for the hockey-heavy role, adding that his strengths didn’t exactly include skating. A behind-the-scenes clip, shared online by a costume designer, made that clear even to him.
“I watched it back and realized I shouldn’t be taking credit for much,” he said, laughing.
That honesty carried through the interview. Storrie acknowledged that before Heated Rivalry took off, his career plans were far less glamorous. Acting, he explained, was something he hoped would eventually allow him to fund his own creative projects. The current momentum still feels unreal.
A Broader Audience Than Expected
Storrie also spoke about the show’s reach, noting that its fan base extends far beyond the demographic many people assume for male-centered romance. Viewers, he said, come from “all walks of life,” with women making up a significant portion of the audience.
That crossover appeal was visible outside 30 Rockefeller Center, where fans gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the actor. The scene echoed the crowd that greeted Williams during his own late-night appearance earlier this month, a moment one security guard famously compared to pop-star-level attention.
What Comes Next
The late-night milestone is only one stop on a growing media tour. Storrie is set to appear on TODAY, while other cast members, including François Arnaud, continue making the rounds across daytime and late-night television.
Meanwhile, Heated Rivalry has already secured a second season through Crave, with HBO Max confirming its continued U.S. run. Tierney is expected to return as director, with plans to expand the creative team as the series grows.
For Storrie, the leap from relative obscurity to must-see TV has happened fast. Judging by the crowds, the ratings, and the cultural conversation, Heated Rivalry isn’t just heating up, it’s here to stay.
