Search interest in Hudson Williams exploded after “Heated Rivalry” premiered on Crave and HBO Max in November 2025. The Canadian series about two closeted hockey players struck a nerve with audiences, and his performance as Shane Hollander became the subject of widespread online discussion almost immediately.
Within weeks, his Instagram grew from a few thousand followers to over 1.5 million. Fan edits flooded TikTok. Entertainment sites scrambled to find information about an actor who’d been working in short films and single-episode TV roles just months earlier.
The curiosity makes sense—he appeared seemingly overnight in a leading role that required intense emotional range and chemistry with co-star Connor Storrie. People want to understand where he came from and whether this breakout moment was luck or years of preparation finally paying off.
Who is Hudson Williams
Hudson Williams is a Canadian actor, writer, and director. He is best known for playing Shane Hollander in the TV series Heated Rivalry (2025). He gained attention after the show’s release and is considered an emerging talent in the entertainment industry.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hudson Williams |
| Born | February 13, 2001 (Age 24) |
| Birthplace | Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Korean (mother), British-Dutch (father) |
| Profession | Actor, Writer, Director |
| Known For | Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry (2025) |
| Height | Estimated 5’9″ – 6’0″ |
| Relationship Status | Appears to be single |
| Children | None publicly known |
Parents and Family
His mother is Korean, and his father is of British and Dutch descent. He’s discussed how his mixed heritage affected his perception of opportunities in acting.
“I am half-Korean, and then my dad is British-Dutch Canadian,” he told The PR Press. “I think it meant a lot to me and my mom. My mom is Korean. She always thought it would be harder for me to break into film and acting because she hadn’t really seen anyone.”
That comment reveals something his mother carried—worry that the industry wouldn’t make space for someone who looked like her son. His casting as an Asian-Canadian lead in a major streaming series means something beyond just his personal success.
Beyond these details, his parents have stayed out of public view. He hasn’t shared their names or specifics about his upbringing beyond growing up in Kamloops, a city of about 100,000 people in the interior of British Columbia.
Early Background in Kamloops
Kamloops sits about 350 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, surrounded by mountains and lakes. It’s not a place most people associate with entertainment industry careers.
He developed an interest in film and performance during childhood, though specifics about when or how aren’t widely documented. What’s clear is that by the time he finished high school, he’d decided to pursue acting seriously enough to move to Vancouver.
According to his IMDb bio , he completed the Film Arts program at Langara College, graduating in 2020. Langara’s program focuses on hands-on filmmaking—students write, direct, shoot, and edit their own projects.
This explains his work in short films. He wasn’t just acting—he was learning the entire filmmaking process, which gave him perspective on how scenes are constructed and what directors need from actors.
Building Experience Before the Breakthrough
From 2024 through early 2025, he appeared in multiple short films and small television roles. His credits include single episodes of “Tracker” and “Allegiance,” plus the Hallmark movie “All I Need for Christmas.”
He also co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the 2024 short film “Rancid.” He directed and acted in other shorts like “Snow Angel,” “Brim Reaper,” and “Teresa’s Choice.”
This period represents what most actors experience—working constantly on projects that don’t reach large audiences, building skills and relationships while hoping something bigger comes along.
The work wasn’t glamorous, but it taught him how to perform on camera, take direction, and collaborate with different crews. When “Heated Rivalry” came along, he had just enough experience to handle it without being overwhelmed.
How “Heated Rivalry” Changed Everything
Casting for “Heated Rivalry” searched for actors who could convincingly portray professional hockey players involved in a secret years-long romance. The role required athletic believability, emotional vulnerability, and chemistry with whoever played opposite.
He auditioned for Shane Hollander, the shy, anxiety-ridden Canadian player struggling with his sexuality. The part demands subtlety—Shane internalizes everything, so the performance relies on microexpressions rather than big emotional moments.
Rachel Reid, who wrote the original novel, praised how completely he embodied the character. “What that guy does with his face tells a whole story,” she said. “It’s all in the acting; you can see everything that Shane is thinking and feeling.”
When asked about his approach, he cited actors like Rooney Mara in “Carol” and Trevante Rhodes in “Moonlight” as inspiration—performers who convey volumes through restrained, internal work.
The show premiered November 28, 2025, and reactions were immediate. /Film wrote that “Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are both delivering some of the best microexpression work currently on television.” One reviewer compared their chemistry to “Bogart & Bacall.”
By December 2025, he’d signed with Creative Artists Agency, one of Hollywood’s top talent agencies. According to Hollywood Life, he’s already joined the cast of “The Altruists,” an upcoming Netflix drama starring Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle.
Relationship Status and Privacy
He appears to be single based on available public information. His Instagram doesn’t show romantic partner content, and entertainment coverage hasn’t mentioned anyone he’s dating.
That said, he could be in a relationship he’s chosen to keep private. Many actors, particularly early in careers, maintain boundaries around personal life to keep focus on work rather than tabloid speculation.
His close friendship with co-star Connor Storrie is well-documented—they frequently post behind-the-scenes photos together and even got matching “sex sells” tattoos after filming. But friendship is different from romance, and there’s no public information suggesting they’re anything other than friends and colleagues.
Physical Appearance
He’s estimated to stand between 5’9″ and 6’0″ based on photos with co-stars, though he hasn’t publicly confirmed his exact height. His character Shane Hollander is described as 5’10” in Rachel Reid’s novel.
He has dark hair and features reflecting his Korean and European heritage. His build is athletic enough to convincingly portray a professional hockey player, though the role didn’t require him to actually play hockey at a high level.
His appearance works for the character—someone who could blend in among professional athletes without standing out, which fits Shane’s personality as someone who doesn’t want attention on himself.
Net Worth and Income Sources
He’s been paid for his work on “Heated Rivalry,” which as a Crave/HBO Max original likely came with a decent salary for a first major role. Exact figures aren’t public, but streaming series pay lead actors anywhere from tens of thousands to low six figures per episode depending on budget and experience level.
His growing Instagram following (over 1.5 million) creates potential for brand partnerships and sponsored content, though no specific deals have been publicly announced. His signing with CAA suggests future earning potential through bigger roles and strategic career management.
The real financial story isn’t what he’s earned so far—it’s trajectory. Landing a Netflix project with Julia Garner immediately after his breakout suggests he’ll command higher fees going forward and may transition from emerging actor to established one relatively quickly if the momentum continues.
What Makes This Profile Different
Most actors who land breakout roles have years of visible work behind them—supporting roles in known projects, steady progression through the industry. His path was different: scattered short films, single TV episodes, then suddenly a lead role in a streaming series that became an internet phenomenon.
His mixed heritage also separates his story from typical paths. As he noted, his mother worried the industry wouldn’t make space for someone who looks like him. His success as an Asian-Canadian lead in a major series matters beyond just his personal achievement—it challenges assumptions about who gets to star in mainstream romance stories.
The speed of his rise creates both opportunity and pressure. He went from relative anonymity to having 1.5 million Instagram followers in weeks. That level of sudden attention can overwhelm people who haven’t gradually built resistance to public scrutiny.
FAQs
How old is Hudson Williams?
He was born February 13, 2001, making him 24 years old as of January 2026. His character Shane Hollander is 17 at the beginning of the “Heated Rivalry” book, though the show may have aged the character up slightly.
Is Hudson dating Connor Storrie?
No public information suggests they’re romantically involved. They’re close friends and frequently post about each other, but friendship and collaboration don’t equal romance. Speculation about actors’ personal lives based on on-screen chemistry is common but usually unfounded.
Read Also: Owen Cooper Biography: From Drama Classes to Netflix’s Adolescence
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