Heated Rivalry Stars to Carry Olympic Torch as Series Expands to Italy
The stars of the popular Canadian hockey romance series Heated Rivalry are set to participate in the upcoming Winter Olympics, but not in the way fans might expect. Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have been officially named as torchbearers for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, according to reports from the Canadian Press.
Fictional Rivals, Real-Life Honour
Williams, who hails from Kelowna, British Columbia, and Storrie, an American actor, will help carry the Olympic flame ahead of the opening ceremony on February 6. The timing of this honour aligns perfectly with the show's expanding international reach, as Heated Rivalry is scheduled to begin airing in Italy on February 1 on HBO Max.
HBO Max happens to be one of the official Olympic broadcast rights holders for the Milan Cortina Games, creating a synergistic promotional opportunity. Meanwhile, Canadian viewers can continue to stream the series on Crave, where it first gained popularity as a streaming phenomenon.
About the Series and Its Success
Heated Rivalry follows the story of Shane Hollander (played by Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (played by Storrie), two of the world's top hockey players who are bitter rivals on the ice but develop complicated romantic feelings for each other off the ice. The six-episode series is based on the Game Changers novels by Nova Scotia romance author Rachel Reid and was adapted for television by Jacob Tierney for Crave.
Tierney, known for his work on Letterkenny and Shoresy, serves as co-writer, director, and executive producer of the series. Heated Rivalry has become a hit on streaming platforms in both Canada and the United States and has already been renewed for a second season.
Tourism Boost from Filming Locations
The success of Heated Rivalry has extended beyond television screens to impact Ontario's tourism industry. Destination Ontario has added several Hamilton and Toronto locations featured in the show to its list of notable movie and TV show filming sites in the province.
In Hamilton, viewers can spot scenes filmed at upscale Italian restaurant Ciao Bella in Corktown and Le Tambour Tavern on James Street North. Toronto locations include Joni Restaurant in The Annex neighborhood and Lavelle's downtown rooftop hotspot.
This recognition by Ontario's tourism promoter demonstrates how popular television series can drive interest in real-world locations, potentially boosting local economies through increased visitor traffic from fans wanting to experience the settings of their favorite shows firsthand.
