Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams to make late-night debut on The Tonight Show

Heated Rivalry actor Hudson Williams will make his late-night TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Actor Hudson Williams, best known for his role as Shane Hollander on Heated Rivalry, is set to make his late-night television debut this week with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The episode is scheduled to air Wednesday, January 7, on NBC.

The booking marks Williams’ first appearance on a major late-night talk show and represents a milestone for the Heated Rivalry franchise. Williams will also become the first lead actor from the series to sit down for an interview on a mainstream broadcast late-night platform, expanding the show’s reach beyond streaming audiences.

Heated Rivalry premiered in late November on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the United States, quickly gaining traction online. Williams’ portrayal of Shane Hollander, a closeted professional hockey player, helped drive the series’ rapid rise in popularity. Within weeks of the show’s debut, Williams and co-star Connor Storrie surpassed one million followers each on Instagram, becoming breakout stars and frequent subjects of viral fan discussion.

Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, Williams was raised by a Korean mother and a father of British and Dutch descent. Before Heated Rivalry, he appeared in television series including Allegiance and Tracker, as well as several independent film projects.

Following the success of the series, Williams and Storrie reunited as voice actors for the erotic romance fantasy audiobook Ember and Ice. Both actors are confirmed to return for the second season of Heated Rivalry, which is expected to premiere in early 2027.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs weeknights on NBC and is also available for streaming on Peacock.