Who is Hudson Williams? Meet the Heated Rivalry star taking on two roles in Yaga
Who is Hudson Williams? Meet the Canadian actor behind Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry and discover his two roles in the new thriller Yaga.
Hudson Williams is a Canadian actor who became an international television sensation through his role as Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry. The 25-year-old starred opposite Connor Storrie in the romantic hockey drama, gaining a passionate following for his portrayal of a professional athlete navigating a secret relationship with his biggest rival.
Now Williams is preparing for another major television appearance, playing two different characters in the supernatural mystery series Yaga, which premieres on 23 October 2026.
Who is Hudson Williams?
Hudson Williams is a Canadian actor born in British Columbia on 13 February 2001. He developed an interest in acting before finding widespread recognition through Heated Rivalry, the television adaptation of Rachel Reid's popular romance novels.
Although the series introduced him to an international audience, Williams had been building his acting career before landing the role that brought him into the spotlight.
Who does Hudson Williams play in Heated Rivalry?
Williams portrays Shane Hollander, a Canadian professional ice hockey player whose intense rivalry with Russian star Ilya Rozanov develops into a complicated romantic relationship.
Connor Storrie plays Ilya, with the actors' on-screen chemistry becoming one of the defining features of the series. Created by Jacob Tierney, Heated Rivalry explores ambition, secrecy, intimacy and the challenges of maintaining a relationship in professional sport.
In interviews, Williams has discussed the responsibility of bringing Shane to life and the importance of portraying the character's emotional vulnerability.
What is Hudson Williams' role in Yaga?
Williams plays both Henry Park and Logan in Yaga, a contemporary supernatural thriller inspired by the Slavic legend of Baba Yaga.
Henry is the missing heir to a powerful fishing business, while Logan is his socially awkward housemate. Their connection becomes part of a mysterious investigation involving private investigator Rapp, played by Noah Reid.
The series also stars Carrie-Anne Moss and Clark Backo, with writer Kat Sandler adapting her original stage production for television.
Where can you watch Hudson Williams?
Heated Rivalry originally premiered on Canada's Crave and is also available through HBO Max in supported territories.
Yaga premieres on AMC+ in the United States and Crave in Canada on 23 October 2026, with BINGE carrying the series in Australia. A UK streaming release has not yet been confirmed.
Image: Hudson Williams at the 2026 Golden Globes.
