Aug 08, 2026 10:00pm IST
What’s Next for Hudson Williams: From ‘Yaga’ to ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2
Canada’s “little hockey romance show that could,” “Heated Rivalry,” has scored big for everyone involved in its making: From renewed book sales for “The Long Game” author Rachel Reid to a quick green light for creator Jacob Tierney to make more seasons. But the biggest phenomenon coming out of the show has been its lead stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
The breakout stars have gone from self-funded indie projects to getting their pick of the lot. The question on everyone’s mind? What’s next for Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams? Apart from "Heated Rivalry” Season 2, which has begun filming, Williams has a bevy of interesting projects lined up, and it’s a mix of big-ticket ensemble titles and indie gigs. Here’s a list.
Yaga
Williams is stepping into another Canadian production for Crave. “Yaga” is a supernatural mystery thriller series from Kat Sandler, starring “The Matrix” actor Carrie-Anne Moss and “Schitt’s Creek” actor Noah Reid. It is a modern take on the Slavic myth of the Baba Yaga: An old woman who, in some stories, cooks and eats children, and in others, helps the hero. Williams plays Henry Park, who goes missing from a small, sleepy coastal town. And Reid plays the detective on the case. “Yaga” will be released in October 2026.
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The Altruists
After it was revealed in September 2025 that Hudson Williams had joined the cast of the Netflix limited series about the fall of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, his character was finally confirmed in March 2026 as Duncan Rheingans-Yoo. The series, headlined by Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle, also stars Matt Rife, Karan Soni, Madison Hu, Paul Reiser, Jennifer Grey and more. The filming has wrapped, and a release date is yet to be announced.
Apparatus
A dark comedy in which Williams co-stars with Dylan O’Brien. The film, a feature directorial debut for Sofia Banzhaf, has Williams playing Tyler, a rideshare driver who is sucked into a world of violence by a “massage entrepreneur,” played by O’Brien. The two actors were spotted shooting for the film earlier in the year.
Tyrant
Think the gourmet world of “The Bear,” but make it a thriller set in New York. One of Hudson Williams’s upcoming gigs is a culinary thriller set in the world of fine dining, directed by David Weil. The “Tyrant” cast is the finest too: Charlize Theron, Demi Moore and Julia Garner.
Encore and 8
Hudson Williams has two indie features upcoming: “Encore,” a thriller drama in which he stars in the supporting role of a drifter named Mason; and “8,” directed by Canadian filmmaker Inderveer Sodhi.
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Heated Rivalry Season 2
Easily the project with the most pre-release hype is the follow-up to the series that changed lives: “Heated Rivalry Season 2.” Fans will finally get to see Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as a proper couple. In the last week of July 2026, both Williams and Connor Storrie were spotted walking the streets of Toronto, as the show has begun production. Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie are confirmed as "Heated Rivalry" Season 2 leads alongside Williams and Storrie, with the new season slated for a Spring 2027 release.
Hudson Williams’ Upcoming Indie Shorts
Much like his “Heated Rivalry” costar, Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams, too, continues to invest his time and creative talents in indie productions, some of which he has written and directed himself.
The actor has “Yoko Loko,” a short about a female, middle-aged drug dealer exploring her sexuality with younger men. Another, “Runaways: Fresh Wounds,” is one he has written and directed, alongside filmmaker Zac Fonzovs. And finally, there is “Shit Circus,” a nuanced, realistic exploration of queerness and modern dating that Williams has written and directed. It is currently in post-production.
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