The Heated Rivalry fandom has been handed another gift, and this one comes soaked.
GQ Italia shared behind-the-scenes footage from Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie’s December 2025 photoshoot, capturing the show’s breakout leads mid-chaos as a styled fashion moment spiraled into a playful water fight. Dressed in cropped tees and low-slung jeans, the actors ditched any pretense of seriousness as cups of water flew, turning the shoot into an impromptu wet T-shirt spectacle that fans instantly latched onto.
Storrie, 25, yelps when he’s caught off guard and slips briefly into Russian, a detail fans clocked as an unintentional nod to his on-screen role as Ilya Rozanov. Williams, 24, by contrast, stays almost impressively deadpan, letting the mayhem unfold around him. The contrast only sharpened the clip’s appeal, with viewers praising the natural rhythm between the two newcomers.
Online reactions were swift and affectionate. Many fans pointed out that the moment felt less like promotion and more like friends messing around, reinforcing why the actors’ chemistry has translated so seamlessly on screen. Both have previously described each other as a source of “stability” off-camera, a detail that now reads less like press polish and more like fact.
A Perfect Storm of Timing
The viral moment lands during a particularly active stretch for Williams. On Monday night, the Canadian actor was spotted at Boho Karaoke on Orchard Street in New York City, sparking another round of fan chatter. Dressed low-key in a black hoodie, jeans, a cap, and a crossbody bag, Williams appeared to be enjoying a rare quiet night out as fans marked the lead-up to his Feb. 13 birthday.
Social media quickly dubbed the celebration #Hudweek, with attendees sharing sightings and speculating about his karaoke picks — Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” emerged as a popular guess. With New York Fashion Week approaching, the outing suggested a pause between obligations, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid his rapidly expanding profile.
Why Heated Rivalry Keeps Hitting
The sustained attention isn’t accidental. Heated Rivalry was recently renewed for a second season, with Crave confirming the pickup and HBO Max continuing its U.S. licensing run. Created by Jacob Tierney and adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, the series follows the decade-spanning relationship between hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, rivals pulled together by ambition, pressure, and a connection neither can shake.
Since its Nov. 28 debut, the show has thrived on weekly discourse, fan edits, and viral clips, building momentum through character-driven storytelling rather than shock value. Its mix of athletic stakes, queer identity, and emotional tension has resonated strongly with LGBTQ+ viewers, turning the series into a consistent trending presence.
Season 2 will see Tierney return as writer, director, and executive producer, joined again by Brendan Brady, producer Lori Fischburg, and consulting producer Reid. The ensemble cast, including François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, is also expected to return.
If the drenched GQ Italia clip proves anything, it’s that the appeal of Heated Rivalry extends well beyond the rink. Sometimes, all it takes is a little water, good timing, and two actors who genuinely enjoy sharing the frame.
