Quotes from the Heated Rivalry Cast on Filming the Show’s Steamy Sex Scenes

HBO’s Heated Rivalry is igniting lively discussions thanks to its provocative sex scenes.

Adapted from Rachel Reid‘s Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry chronicles the story of two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose hostility on the ice masks a covert — and intensely passionate — relationship.

The series debuted on Crave in November 2025 and quickly expanded its reach through HBO Max. Following the release of the initial episodes, fans of the books flocked to social media, expressing their enthusiasm for the adaptation, particularly praising the chemistry between Storrie and Williams.

“We’re both quite tactile people in terms of our love languages and expressions,” Storrie shared with Swooon at that time. “We enjoy physical touch, whether it’s with friends, family, or romantic partners.”

He added, “When these characters feel positively about each other, we consciously allowed that to show. The enjoyment of that is in how it translates for Shane and Ilya, differing from our personal lives. It’s a natural impulse for us, and our quick bond made it even easier.”

As the series gained popularity, Storrie and Williams became more vocal about the intense spotlight on their onscreen romance — and their private lives. Creator Jacob Tierney even had to deflect inquiries regarding the offscreen sexualities of Storrie and Williams.

“I don’t see the need to delve into that,” Tierney told LGBTQ+ magazine Xtra in December 2025 when asked about the significance of the actors’ personal lives. “Here’s something about casting these roles: you can’t ask those questions during casting, right? It’s actually illegal. What you need to evaluate is someone’s enthusiasm and readiness to engage in the work.”

Keep scrolling for quotes from the cast and crew sharing their experiences about getting intimate for the series:

Heated Rivalry’s Pursuit of Authenticity

“We discussed how every moment these guys aren’t in contact, they desire to be,” Tierney mentioned to Swooon in December 2025. “For them, the challenge lies in not touching, making it harder than being physical. They yearn for closeness, a significant aspect of their public/private dynamic, creating frustration in public settings.”

He continued, “There’s an undeniable chemistry because these characters possess an immediate connection. This magnetic energy exists between them, and they’re restrained from fulfilling it in public as they wish.”

Collaboration between Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie Behind the Scenes

Williams previously elaborated on the intense nature of the sex scenes.

“With friends, I feel I can’t fully connect without establishing a touch boundary — consensually!” Williams joked with Swooon. “The similarity between me and Shane is that when we’re in love, there should be constant physical contact, even in non-intimate scenes.”

The actor further explained the intimacy in subtle gestures: “Sometimes a rough sex scene feels easier than a simple conversation where you might want to touch an arm or shoulder. It can feel like a long journey just to brush a cheek. But our strong relationship made it effortless to express myself as Shane with Connor, which was truly wonderful.”

How Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams Cultivated Their Onscreen Connection

“Hudson was the third actor I read with. The first two were fine, but when Hudson stepped in, everything clicked. Jacob texted me to ask my thoughts, and I was instantly convinced: ‘Yes, Hudson!’” Storrie recounted to Out Magazine, to which Williams added, “I had previously read with another potential Ilya, and it was good. But with Connor, there was an unexplainable X-factor that felt more genuine than I expected. I even shared a quote with Jacob about my reading with Connor.”

Tierney reminisced about this exchange: “Hudson told me, ‘The other guy was good, but Connor felt like he was going to pin me down and f*** me.’ That was his exact phrase. And I thought, ‘Well, I think I made the right choice in casting.’”

Examining the Vision for the Sex Scenes

“Here’s the reality about explicit content,” Tierney explained to GQ. “You can witness two guys being intimate anywhere. What this narrative provides is an exploration of intimacy and desire. These elements are essential to the story. The chemistry is everything. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s what the popcorn’s meant for.”