Hudson Williams is heading back to Crave, but this time, he’s trading the rink for a mystery steeped in folklore.
The breakout star of Heated Rivalry has joined the cast of YAGA, the streamer’s first-ever half-hour original drama. Production is underway in Toronto, with Williams stepping into a central role opposite Carrie-Anne Moss, Noah Reid, and Clark Backo.
For Williams, the project marks a high-profile return to the platform that helped launch him into international conversation.
From Hockey Arenas to Haunting Shores
Williams won over audiences as Shane Hollander in Crave’s queer sports hit Heated Rivalry, a series that developed a devoted following and sold widely overseas. Now, he’s pivoting into darker territory.
In YAGA, Williams plays Henry Park, the missing heir to a powerful coastal fishery empire. His disappearance draws private investigator Rapp, portrayed by Reid, into a tight-knit seaside town where everyone seems to have something to hide.
The search quickly tangles with local detective Carson (Backo) and a magnetic university professor named Katherine, played by Moss. As suspicions mount, the case begins to blur with whispers of ancient myth.
A Witch Reclaimed
The series reimagines the legend of Baba Yaga, the feared figure from Slavic folklore often depicted as a witch who dwells deep in the forest. Creator Kat Sandler adapts her own stage play for television and serves as writer and showrunner.
Rather than presenting Baba Yaga as a simple villain, Sandler reframes the myth through a modern lens. The story leans into feminist themes and positions its central figure as a disruptive force within a small-town power structure.
The show is produced by Front Street Pictures and Blink49 Studios in partnership with Crave. David Frazee and Rachel Talalay share directing duties.
Bell Media executive Justin Stockman described the series as a bold step for the streamer, noting that it marks Crave’s first venture into the half-hour drama format. Blink49’s Mackenzie Donaldson added that bringing Sandler’s voice to screen felt overdue.
A Career in Motion
Williams’ casting answers the question many fans have been asking since Heated Rivalry exploded online: what’s next?
Beyond YAGA, he is also attached to The Altruists, a Netflix drama centered on the rise and fall of crypto exchange FTX. The role signals his continued move into larger-scale productions.
Still, returning to Crave carries weight. Heated Rivalry helped define a new lane for queer storytelling in Canada, and Williams’ performance became a cornerstone of that success. With YAGA, he steps into a role that places him at the center of a mystery instead of a locker room romance.
The tonal shift is sharp. Gone are the playoff stakes; in their place are buried secrets and folklore that refuses to stay in the past.
As filming continues, YAGA positions Williams not just as a rising actor, but as a leading presence in Crave’s next chapter. For a platform expanding its scripted slate, bringing him back feels strategic.
For audiences, it’s an invitation to follow him into stranger waters.
