Hudson Williams has quickly become the talk of the town as he stars in the Crave original series Heated Rivalry, the Canadian streaming platform’s latest breakout hit. He plays Shane Hollander alongside co-star Connor Stonnie in the smutty, NSFW drama about two closeted professional hockey players, blending steamy romance with high-stakes sports drama.
Whether it is his compelling performance or his magnetic off-screen personality, there is plenty about him that fans are eager to discover. Get to know the silver screen’s latest standout star as we round up nine things to know about Hudson Williams, offering a closer look at the actor behind the role that has everyone buzzing.
He’s Canadian
Hudson Williams was born in Kamloops, British Columbia. Later, he moved to Vancouver to pursue his acting career, where he honed his craft before landing his breakout role.
He is of mixed heritage
His mother is Korean and works as an interior designer, while his father is a mechanical engineer of British-Dutch-Canadian descent. This diverse background makes Williams proudly Asian Canadian and has shaped his unique perspective on life and art.
He’s an Aquarius
Born on 13 February 2001, Williams is an Aquarius, a sign known for creativity, independence, and a strong sense of individuality. In interviews, he has mentioned that he values freedom and self-expression, traits often associated with his zodiac sign.
He’s formally trained in acting
After high school, he moved to Vancouver and graduated from the Film Arts program at Langara College in 2020. His formal training helped him refine his skills before landing his first lead role in Heated Rivalry.
Early acting career
After graduating, Williams began acting in short films. By 2024, he had landed minor roles in TV series including Allegiance and Tracker. With only a few years of professional experience, landing a breakthrough role this early in his career highlights his talent and dedication.
He leads an active lifestyle
Williams trains regularly with full-body workouts several times a week to stay in peak shape. Growing up, he also played basketball and practiced mixed martial arts, which contributes to his athleticism on screen.
He’s a skincare enthusiast
Williams has shared that his skincare and wellness routine includes healthy eating, daily sunscreen, and K-beauty products. He even gave fans a full walkthrough of his regimen in an interview with The Cut.
He made his runway debut for Dsquared2
After his rise to fame in December 2025, Williams made his runway debut at the recent Milan Fashion Week in January. He opened the Dsquared2 Fall/Winter 2026 show, marking a major crossover from acting into fashion.
He has a matching tattoo with his co-star, Connor Storrie
Williams shares a close friendship with his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie. The two even got matching tattoos that says “sex sells” as a fun nod to the series’ bold themes, highlighting their off-screen bond.
With the show’s second season already confirmed, it is safe to say we will be seeing plenty more of Hudson Williams. Follow him on Instagram here.
Explore more entertainment news here and people stories here.