Jacob Tierney has shut down the racist rhetoric being directed at Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams on social media. 

Since November, pop culture enthusiasts worldwide – including us here at Gay Times – have been obsessed with Heated Rivalry.

The Canadian series, created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's hit novel of the same name, follows the decade-spanning, secret romance between Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), two rival elite professional hockey players.

Since its premiere, Heated Rivalry has defied expectations, earning universal acclaim for its heartfelt love story, unapologetic spicy moments, and chemistry-filled performances.

The series has also catapulted Williams and Storrie into international superstars, with the pair gracing the covers of high-profile magazines – including GQ, Wonderland, and VMAN – appearing on beloved late-night talk shows, presenting at the 2026 Golden Globes, and securing a handful of new projects. 

However, the pair's rise to fame has been far from easy.