Behind the Scenes with Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams

Key Takeaways

• The season finale of Heated Rivalry, "The Cottage," adapts the climactic event from author Rachel Reid’s romance novel, with some key variations.
• The episode ends with Shane and Ilya’s car ride back to their private cottage, rather than the press conference announcing the Irina Foundation charity, which is present in the book.
• The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, chose to end the season on this note to focus on the characters’ happiness and intimacy, rather than exposition.
• The finale features a more tender and playful side of Shane and Ilya, showcasing their relationship in a safe and private environment.
• The actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, discuss the filming of key scenes, including the toe-touching moment on the couch, and the car ride at the end of the episode.

Introduction to Heated Rivalry
The season finale of Heated Rivalry, "The Cottage," has arrived, and with it, the stars and creator of the show are breaking down the key moments and decisions behind the episode. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, series creator Jacob Tierney shares his thoughts on the finale, including the decision to end the season on a more intimate note, rather than exploring the book’s epilogue. The finale adapts the climactic event from author Rachel Reid’s romance novel, with Shane and Ilya finally letting their guards down and professing their love for each other in a safe and private environment.

Book-to-Screen Changes
The Heated Rivalry finale authentically adapts the main beats of the book, with some key variations. One of the biggest deviations is the ending, where Tierney decides to end the episode with Shane and Ilya’s car ride back to their private cottage, rather than the press conference announcing the Irina Foundation charity. Tierney chose this conclusion to focus on the characters’ happiness and intimacy, rather than exposition. He notes that the press conference would have felt like a literary way to end the episode, and instead, he wanted to sit with the characters and let them be happy.

The Finale’s Emotional Payoff
The finale features a more tender and playful side of Shane and Ilya, showcasing their relationship in a safe and private environment. The actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, discuss the filming of key scenes, including the car ride at the end of the episode. Storrie remembers filming the car ride twice, with the first take featuring the actors in silence, crying at certain moments. Tierney notes that the second take was more upbeat, with the actors talking and touching, showcasing the happiness and intimacy of the characters. The car ride features the song "Bad Things" by Cailin Russo, which Storrie became obsessed with after filming the scene.

The Toe-Touching Moment
One of the most memorable moments in the finale is the toe-touching scene on the couch, where Shane and Ilya’s feet touch while they are scrolling on their phones. Williams and Storrie discuss the filming of this scene, which was shot twice due to an insane rainstorm that broke out during production. Williams notes that he was mindful of the physicality of the scene, making sure to keep his toes apart when his character was angry. Tierney commends the actors’ performances, noting that the scene showcases the evolution of the characters’ relationships and the tenderness of their interactions.

New Shades of Shane and Ilya
The finale brings out different sides to Shane and Ilya, showcasing their relationship in a more intimate and private environment. Tierney notes that the characters are not code-switching, but rather, Shane is finding out what his true self is. Storrie recognizes the dynamic shift between Shane and Ilya on the ice, with their friends, and now in the cottage together. The actors discuss how the show explores the topic of masculinity and effeminacy, particularly in Shane’s character. The finale features a more tender and playful side of the characters, with Tierney noting that the sex scenes become more like "boyfriend sex," showcasing the intimacy and playfulness of the relationship.

Conclusion
The season finale of Heated Rivalry, "The Cottage," is a thoughtful and intimate conclusion to the season, showcasing the happiness and intimacy of Shane and Ilya’s relationship. The episode features key moments, including the toe-touching scene on the couch and the car ride at the end of the episode. The actors and creator discuss the filming of these scenes, as well as the book-to-screen changes and the exploration of masculinity and effeminacy in the show. With all episodes of Heated Rivalry season 1 now available to stream in the U.S. on HBO Max, fans can relive the key moments and relationships that make the show so compelling.