AceShowbiz - Stars of the hit series, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, recently took center stage not on a soundstage, but as torchbearers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The popular actors, known for their roles in Heated Rivalry, participated in the Olympic torch relay in Feltre, Italy, this past Sunday, igniting excitement ahead of the prestigious winter event.

The duo’s involvement was first announced by HBO Max, the streamer broadcasting the Games across Europe, though the exact timing and location of their appearance had been kept under wraps until the day. Clad in official white, pink, and yellow torchbearer uniforms, Williams and Storrie shared a memorable moment. Video footage released by the Olympics account captured Williams passing the symbolic flame to Storrie, enthusiastically cheering, “Go papi, go papi,” as he lit his co-star's torch. Another viral clip showed Williams holding the torch, exclaiming to the crowd, “This is crazy,” highlighting the surreal experience for the rising stars.

This high-profile appearance marks another significant milestone for the newcomers, whose careers have skyrocketed since the premiere of Jacob Tierney’s acclaimed series. Hudson Williams recently made headlines with his runway debut at Dsquared2’s Milan Fashion Week show, showcasing his burgeoning presence in the fashion world. Similarly, Connor Storrie has been a busy figure, making back-to-back appearances on both Late Night With Seth Meyers and Today in the same week, captivating audiences with his charm and wit. Their collective star power was also evident at the recent Golden Globes, where they were the talk of the event despite attending solely to present an award, cementing their status as Hollywood's newest darlings.

The series that launched them to fame, Heated Rivalry, originates from Canadian streamer Crave and is distributed by HBO Max in the U.S. The show immerses viewers in a fictional hockey universe, drawing inspiration from the beloved Game Changers book series by author Rachel Reid. It intricately chronicles the complex relationship between two rival professional hockey players: Canada-born Shane Hollander (portrayed by Williams) of the fictitious Montreal Metros and Russia-born Ilya Rozanov (played by Storrie) of the fictitious Boston Raiders. Over nearly a decade, their intense rivalry evolves into a deeply personal situationship, eventually blossoming into a full-fledged relationship, captivating fans with its compelling narrative and emotional depth.

Following its successful debut, Crave has officially renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season, with HBO Max confirming its continued broadcast in the U.S. Furthermore, Rachel Reid has announced plans to publish her seventh book in the Game Changers series, promising more stories from the universe that inspired the popular show and its breakout stars.