Who Is Hudson Williams? Meet the Breakout Star from "Heated Rivalry"

For anyone scrolling social feeds lately, Hudson Williams has probably crossed their path. The up-and-coming actor's portrayal of Shane Hollander in Crave’s and HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry—a sports romance adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers—turned him into the internet’s newest “boyfriend” seemingly overnight. Off-screen, he’s juggling the sudden spotlight and learning the ropes of life as a rising actor.

With his mix of charm, messy energy, and quick hockey skills, Hudson has already started making a name for himself. Here are five things to know about him.

Hudson grew up in Kamloops, British Columbia, the son of a Korean mother and a father of British and Dutch descent. His early fascination with film and performance eventually led him to Vancouver, where he completed the Film Arts program at Langara College in 2020.

Before his acting career took off, Hudston was working at The Old Spaghetti Factory in New Westminster, British Columbia, waiting tables to pay the bills. “Walking through that door every day… I wasn’t better than this, but I knew I was good enough at acting that I should see some reward,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. His days serving pasta may be behind him, but he often recalls those experiences as grounding, especially amid the whirlwind of press and fan attention following Heated Rivalry.

Hudson’s connection to Shane goes beyond acting chops—he tapped into personal experiences, particularly his relationship with his father, who is on the autism spectrum. “Shane feels very much like my father in a lot of ways,” he said in Timid Magazine.

Though Hudson has become a social media sensation, he handles it with humor and caution. He periodically deletes apps, sets boundaries for press interactions, and stays grounded through friendships. “I’m connecting with my friends because they’re my stability and my source of joy and peace,” he explained in his Timid cover story.

Known for his unfiltered humor, Hudson balances his energetic personality with dedication to acting. He prepared extensively for Heated Rivalry, mapping Shane’s arc over nearly a decade and adapting to the series’ out-of-order filming. “Even in the funny scenes, we were just so locked in,” he told Glamour. His co-star, Connor Storrie, also inspires him—Hudson calls him a “huge resource” for staying present and honest on set.