Last December, fans of “Heated Rivalry” gathered at the cottage for the series finale, and their enthusiasm has remained strong. Six months after the debut of the show’s first‑season finale—a self‑contained episode that sealed the romance between rivals‑turned‑lovers Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams)—the influence of this Crave original continues to reverberate.
Storrie and Williams quickly rose to fame, appearing on late‑night talk shows, becoming a hot topic during awards season, and securing numerous brand partnerships. With a second season slated for 2027, the excitement surrounding the series shows no signs of fading.
But the impact of Jacob Tierney’s sports romance extends beyond the two leads. The supporting cast of “Heated Rivalry” has also been swept up in the show’s fervent popularity and growing fan base. While such attention for ensemble members is uncommon, they are embracing it with grace.
Just days after “Heated Rivalry” swept the Canadian Screen Awards with a total of sixteen honors, IndieWire spoke with several key supporting‑cast members about how the series has reshaped their careers, personal lives, and future prospects.
Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana Vetrova
Canadian actress and model Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, known for her appearances in “Adults” and “Robyn Hood,” portrays Ilya’s close friend and occasional love interest, Svetlana Vetrova, in “Heated Rivalry.”
Early on, Kharlamova sensed the intensity of the show’s fandom. “A fan from Eastern Europe flew in for the premiere, even though the series hadn’t aired yet—only a trailer was available,” she recalled.
The role of Svetlana marked a breakthrough for Kharlamova. The part demanded fluency in both Russian and English, a detail that thrilled her. “I was excited because I’m half Russian, yet that side of my identity often goes unnoticed,” she said. “It gave me a chance to showcase another facet of my cultural background.”
She frequently shares scenes with Storrie, whom she describes as an “amazing scene partner.” Kharlamova praised Tierney for cultivating a set where actors feel safe to explore. “In the past I’ve dealt with directors who shout, act rudely, and rush everything,” she explained. “Tierney created an environment where we could truly delve into our characters.”
“Heated Rivalry” has directly boosted Kharlamova’s career. “There’s been a surge of attention and new opportunities,” she noted. “Every aspiring actor hopes to be part of a show that resonates with audiences and enjoys a supportive fan base—something that carries considerable weight in casting decisions.” Even for independent projects, she added, her growing following has increased her visibility. “It’s helping me pursue the work I want to do moving forward,” she said. “It’s opening many doors, and I’m truly grateful.”
Although Kharlamova cannot reveal details about the upcoming second season, she shared her hopes for Svetlana’s arc. “I’d love to see her meet Shane at some point,” she said. “Their interaction would likely start with some tension but end on a friendly note. Since they’re both avid hockey fans, that scene would be both charming and authentic.”
Like the series itself, Kharlamova’s other forthcoming projects remain under wraps, though she hinted, “You might see me in ‘Sterling Point,’” Megan Park’s drama series set to launch on Prime Video this summer.
Callan Potter as Hayden Pike
“I never imagined the show would reach this scale,” said Callan Potter, who plays fan‑favorite Hayden Pike, Shane’s Montreal Metros teammate and best friend. “It came as a real shock.”
Potter echoes Kharlamova’s sentiment that the “Heated Rivalry” phenomenon has unlocked new career avenues. “Even in casual conversation, when I mention I’m an actor, people often ask, ‘Have I seen you in anything?’” he remarked. “Many actors work steadily without a breakout role, so having something to point to is a privilege. I’ve enjoyed a busy year, and it’s fair to say a significant portion of that momentum stems from [‘Heated Rivalry’].”
The actor was in a play in Edmonton, Canada, when he got an Instagram DM from Tierney. “You’re my Hayden,” Potter recalled the message reading. “I hadn’t heard anything, so I wasn’t sure if I was shortlisted. It was such a wonderful surprise.”
Potter also praised the show’s leading stars. “Obviously, Hudson and Connor are killing it; they deserve all of the flowers,” he said. “It’s this amazing turn of good fortune to be part of such an amazing Canadian production.” Following Potter’s appearance on the show, his following grew, and, in a nod to a plot point in Rachel Reid’s “The Long Game”, he joined Cameo to deliver messages to fans who swarmed to get a personalized message from the actor.
If Tierney stays loyal to Reid’s “The Long Game”, Potter will play a crucial part in the second season’s conflict. Speaking about what, in theory, he’d love to see in Season 2 for his character, Potter said, “I love a good argument scene. … I love it when two characters have their position, and then it’s a fencing match. It’s so dynamic on screen!” The actor also said he’s keen to see “a really beautiful overall emotional arc” from the second season.
For his own career, Potter is keen to maintain a focus on telling stories he’s passionate about. Though he does note that control over one’s career can feel like an illusion. “It’s hard to predict how your path is going to evolve, so much of your future is in other people’s hands, and there are so many decisions that you don’t make that result in the changing of your trajectory,” Potter said. “I do my best to stay open. The goal is to be ready and prepared for whatever life throws at you.”
Harrison Browne as Connors
Harrison Browne’s journey to “Heated Rivalry” is perhaps the most unique. Browne was a professional ice hockey player in the National Women’s Hockey League and became the first openly transgender athlete in professional team sports in North America. In “Heated Rivalry,” Browne is Connors, Ilya’s teammate, who relays the rumor that Shane is dating famous actress Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse).
Browne originally auditioned for Hayden, but Tierney’s team carved out the role of Connors for him. “I’m not in the position where I usually get offers,” Browne said of previous auditions. “When I retired from women’s hockey, I didn’t know where I fit in; [‘Heated Rivalry’] was a really nice way to feel like I belong in this sport.”
2025 was a massive year for Browne, with the release of his co-authored book “Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes,” his short film “Pink Light” premiered at TIFF, and his “Heated Rivalry” episodes. “I’ve been speaking on trans issues as a public figure since 2016, and the growth that took 10 years to build got shattered within a week of this show,” he said. “My book sales have increased … my first time going to the States promoting my book, half of the crowd were like, ‘I know you from “Heated Rivalry.”’ It’s deeply influenced my life and helped me money-wise.”
Browne also emphasised the show’s impact on wider ice hockey culture, likening Hollander and Rozanov jerseys to the “new Pride flag” at games. “Heated Rivalry” is also holding hockey accountable. Browne said, “The BS meter with [hockey fans] is: hockey is broken, why should we give it our time? Why should we give you our money when the Vegas Knights have a sexual predator in their net [in 2018, Vegas Knights’ goaltender Carter Heart was charged with sexual assault] and the USA Olympic team has the FBI director at the Olympics [FBI Director Kash Patel was criticized after partying with the US men’s ice hockey team Olympic win]? Is hockey fixed because of ‘Heated Rivalry’? No, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
In terms of his career, Browne is not slowing down. “There’s definitely a sense of urgency to take advantage of this new spotlight,” he said.
His next project is transforming “Pink Light” into a feature. With a Telefilm Canada grant to develop the film, “Pink Light” will center on women’s college hockey. “I’m really excited to take this moment to shine a light on women’s hockey; it’s an amazing space for LGBTQ+ individuals,” he said. “The fact we got a grant with my name attached as a first-time director speaks volumes to this hockey moment right now.”
