One of TV's most popular shows is about to take the Winter Olympics by storm in 2026. "Heated Rivalry", has proven to be a social media darling in recent months, captivating millions across North America.
During the 2026 Winter Olympics, the show will go global as the program's top actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, are set to carry the torch during the Olympic Torch Relay, held during opening ceremonies in Milan on Feb. 6.
It's the latest in a string of high-profile cameos for Williams and Storrie, who have quickly emerged as stars thanks to their inspired performances in the hockey-themed show.
So, what is "Heated Rivalry"? Here's what you need to know about the program that has enchanted the sports world -- and the International Olympic Committee.
What is 'Heated Rivalry'?
"Heated Rivalry" is a Canadian hockey romance television series that revolves around two fictional hockey talents -- Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) -- whose rivalry gives way to an intense and long-standing romance.
The program, based off of the novel of the same name by Rachel Reid, was produced on a relatively low budget for Crave, a Canadian streaming platform. It wasn't expected to make much noise, although HBO Max's decision to purchase the license of the series for U.S. Syndication set the stage for a meteoric rise.
What has followed in the months since "Heated Rivalry's" release is full-blown paranoia. The show has shed its cult-classic husk, becoming a bonafide heavyweight across North America. As The New York Times chronicled, the program has become a pop culture phenomenon, with enthusiasts crowding into tattoo parlors, night clubs and bars -- all in the hopes of paying tribute to their favorite television show.
Who are the stars of 'Heated Rivalry'?
"Heated Rivalry" stars Canadian actor Hudson Williams and American actor Connor Storrie. Williams plays Shane Hollander, the captain of the fictional Montreal Metros. Storrie, meanwhile, is Ilya Rozanov, skipper of the Boston Raiders. In the show, Hollander and Rozanov are rivals-turned-lovers, having seen their struggle for on-ice supremacy develop into a passionate relationship.
Suffice to say, the program has made the 24-year-old Williams and 25-year-old Storrie household names. They're expected to continue to make waves on the acting and film-making scene as a result of their efforts.
Is 'Heated Rivalry" based on a true story?
"Heated Rivalry" is not based on a true story, owing its roots to the book by the same name written by Rachel Reid. That's not to say it doesn't have some real-life inspiration, though.
While all of Reid's characters are original innovations, she admitted that the real-life rivalry of Penguins standout Sidney Crosby and Capitals star Alex Ovechkin did dance around her head when writing her novel.
"I never directly base my characters on any real people," Reid wrote on her website. "One of my inspirations for Heated Rivalry was, obviously, the extremely entertaining rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin. But I was also inspired by other sports rivalries, by other fictional stories, and by my love of the enemies-to-lovers and forbidden romance tropes."
During an interview with Canadian news network CP24, Reid likened Ilya's character to that of "flashy European players" like Jaromír Jágr, Teemu Selänne, and Ilya Kovalchuk. Shane, meanwhile, is reminiscent of "more stoic, good boy captains,” like Crosby, Wayne Gretzky and Paul Kariya
What is an Olympic torchbearer?
An Olympic torchbearer refers to one of the many people enlisted to carry the Olympic torch to its final resting place during the opening ceremonies. The route is symbolic, owning ancient Greek origins. The story goes as follows: in the sanctuary of Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic games, a flame was permanently burned at the altars of goddesses Hestia and Hera and god Zeus.
The modern Olympic games pays tribute to its predecessors from Antiquity. The Olympic relay, when the torch is passed from hand to hand before reaching the altar of the gods, is a twist on the tradition, first taking place in 1936. A number of luminaries have taken part in the tradition in the years since, including Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Nash and the 1980 U.S. Men's hockey national team. Williams and Storrie's names will be added to this list, although they won't be the people tasked to light the kindle in Milan. That honor will likely fall upon a pair of Italian sporting icons.
How are Olympic torchbearers selected?
For much of the Olympics history, torchbearers were mainly athletes. But over the past few decades, the IOC has expanded its reach to include "ordinary" candidates.
The expanded process has opened the door for a wide array of figures to bear the burden of carrying the candle towards the cauldron. At the 2012 Olympics in London, 8,000 people were selected as torchbearers. Candidates can be proposed on the internet, as was the case at the London Games. Special priority will be given to "well-known people from the worlds of sport, show business and politics," according to The Olympic Museum.
When do the Olympics start in 2026?
- Start date: Friday, Feb. 6
- Opening ceremony time: 2 p.m. ET
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will start on Friday, Feb. 6, with the opening ceremony. It begins at 2 p.m. ET from San Siro Stadium.