The stars of the provocative new series Heated Rivalry have given a candid insight into the filming of the show's now-viral intimate moments. Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who portray hockey rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, opened up about the process at the show's premiere on 2 December 2025.
"No Boundaries" On Set
Speaking to press, including Offside News, the duo revealed a remarkable level of trust. Connor Storrie stated that neither he nor his co-star were "particularly squeamish" about the nudity required. Hudson Williams emphatically agreed, summing up their approach with the phrase: "No boundaries."
This collaborative spirit extended to their work with the production team. Storrie elaborated, noting that from the beginning with showrunner Jacob Tierney and their intimacy coordinator, the attitude was: "You can do whatever you want to me, however you want to me." This allowed them to faithfully adapt some of the most explicit scenes from the bestselling erotic novels for the screen.
The Role of Friendship and Choreography
The actors credit their off-screen bond for making the challenging scenes possible. "Me and Hudson are best friends," Storrie told The Society. "We became really close really quick and it’s way easier to have sex on camera and fall in love with someone if you’re [friends]."
Despite this natural chemistry, every moment was meticulously planned. Showrunner Jacob Tierney emphasised that nothing was left to chance, explaining: "These sex scenes were also very scripted and very specific on the page. I know as an actor that the last thing I want to be told is, 'Go at it.' Everything was choreographed." This precision was guided by an intimacy coordinator, whom Williams praised for striking the right balance between safety and authenticity.
Just the Beginning
The first two episodes, which have already sparked significant online discussion, feature a nude shower scene, an oral sex scene, and an anal sex scene. Fans of the source material suggest this is merely "the tip of the iceberg" for what the series may depict if it continues to follow the books closely.
Williams also reflected on past experiences with intimacy coordination, noting that a good coordinator, like their current one Chala, helps actors "sell" the scene without making the process feel stifling or overly restricted. The combination of close friendship, professional choreography, and a trusted team appears to be the formula behind the convincing and talked-about performances.
