Hudson Williams, the breakout star from HBO Max's "Heated Rivalry," brought a playful mix of charm and cheekiness to his late-night debut on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon. As the 24-year-old actor hit the stage, he quickly had the crowd in the palm of his hand, showing off some unconventional hockey stretches on the floor of the studio.
"You've got a bit of hockey under your belt," Fallon teased Williams, who didn't miss a beat. "Care to share some moves?" he asked. Williams, never one to shy away from a challenge, eagerly took to the ground, joking, "This is basically 90 percent of where I was for filming," referring to the show's steamy scenes. The audience couldn't get enough as the duo hilariously mimicked hockey stretches, with Williams leading Fallon through the laughter-filled routine.
“This is the best it gets. Carson didn’t do this,” Williams quipped, earning even more laughs from the crowd.
The fun didn't stop with the stretches. During his sit-down chat with Fallon, Williams shared insights into his skyrocketing fame and the quirks of filming such a popular series. With a nod to his character, Shane Hollander, Williams kept a can of ginger ale close and donned glasses, much to the delight of fans.
"Is it sinking in, how big this show is?" Fallon inquired. To which Williams candidly replied, "Oh, no… I kind of just turn into a deer in headlights every time." The actor also poked fun at the passionate fans waiting outside the studio, calling them "these freaks outside," showcasing his humorous side.
As if the laughter and stories weren't enough, Williams dished on the filming experience, humorously describing the "intimacy garment" he had to wear for the series' intimate scenes. "They call it a modesty garment," he laughed, "but by the end they just gave up on any of it." His candidness about the infamous "c-ck sock" kept the audience entertained and intrigued.
For those eagerly awaiting more "Heated Rivalry," Williams teased some exciting developments for the highly anticipated Season 2. "There are some meanies. There are some big baddies," he hinted. "If season one is an internal battle, season two is an external battle." Fans will have to exercise patience, though, as the new season isn't expected until 2027.
"Heated Rivalry," starring Williams alongside Connor Storrie, continues to capture hearts with its tale of rival hockey players turned secret lovers. Created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" series, the show promises even more drama and romance in the seasons to come.