When CBC’s interview series The Assembly turned its spotlight on Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams, the room was filled with autistic and neurodivergent fans eager to probe the actor’s personal life. Williams, whose own father lives on the autism spectrum, opened the conversation with a vivid line: “I’m strapped in. My knees are bent.” The show’s premise allows any question, and the interview quickly veered from ink to intimacy.
Ink, memory and the stories behind the skin
Williams began by displaying the fresh artwork that adorns his arms. One set of cherries, positioned just above his left elbow, was traced by his girlfriend and tattoo artist Katelyn Larson. Higher on his shoulder, a simple outline of teeth represents the underbite of his late dog, Jesse Skywalker Williams, who lived to be 17. “Whenever he looked at me, he had this little underbite smile,” the actor explained, underscoring how personal loss can become a permanent visual tribute. These symbols, he said, serve as daily reminders of love and loss, turning his body into a living scrapbook of the people and pets that shaped him.
Platonic soulmates: the bond with Connor Storrie
A question from a fan named Nate cut straight to the heart of the series’ on-screen chemistry: “Did you ever feel something for Connor that was more than friendship?” Williams laughed, then answered earnestly: “We’re platonic soulmates—just completely in love with each other, but never romantically.” He emphasized that their connection thrives because they can be “completely ourselves, be completely guard down.” The actor added a playful note, repeating “Not a thing,” while recalling the famously steamy shower scene that launched countless fan theories. “Who doesn’t want Connor Storrie in their shower, you know?” he joked, even mimicking Storrie’s accented line about needing a back-rub.
Williams’ description of their friendship highlights a rare dynamic in television: a relationship built on mutual support rather than romance, a narrative that resonates with viewers who crave authentic representation of neurodivergent experiences. He concluded his remarks with a heartfelt message: “You deserve the best love story and the best romance story in your life — no matter who you are.”
Screening intimacy with family and friends
When it came to the series’ most explicit moments, Williams admitted that he approached them with honesty and a touch of humor. Prior to the premiere of Heated Rivalry, he invited a dozen close friends and his mother to a private screening, dubbing it “the best friends-screening ever.” Anticipating the on-screen intimacy, he instructed his mother to cover her eyes whenever a sex scene approached. His friends, meanwhile, armed themselves with party horns, blowing them each time a provocative moment arrived. When the horns fell silent, his mother knew the coast was clear to watch again.
This blend of openness and protective humor illustrates how the actor navigates the tension between artistic expression and personal comfort. It also mirrors the inclusive spirit of The Assembly, where neurodivergent interviewers are encouraged to ask anything—no subject is “out of bounds.”
Beyond the interview, the cultural impact of Heated Rivalry is evident. The hockey drama, adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel, catapulted Williams (age 25) and Storrie (age 26) from waiting tables to household names, shattering streaming records and becoming HBO Max’s most-watched acquired scripted series of all time. Their portrayal of rival players turned lovers sparked a viral frenzy, cementing the show as a landmark in LGBTQ+ representation within sports-themed entertainment.
In sum, the episode of The Assembly offered a rare glimpse into the private world of a rising star who balances tattoos, on-set intimacy, and a profound platonic bond while championing visibility for autistic and neurodivergent audiences. The conversation proved that love—whether romantic or platonic—can flourish when people feel safe enough to lower their guards.
