'I was emotional': Christina Chang on filming emotional finale scene with Hudson Williams

Christina Chang, who stars as Yuna Hollander in the hit queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry, opened up about filming one of the series’ most powerful moments — the emotional confrontation between her character and her son, Shane, played by Hudson Williams. The Season 1 finale scene received praise for its raw emotion and authenticity, and Chang revealed that the experience deeply affected her.

Reflecting on the scene, Chang said, “When I read the scene, I was emotional, and then ever since then, I have been emotional.” She described how the script was revised on the day of filming by series creator Jacob Tierney to make the dialogue feel more natural and intimate.

“Initially, the scene was written differently, and then on the day, Jacob decided to write it differently. That’s what I mean when I say Jacob is so bright, but also really intuitive,” she said. “So he whittled the scene down… It’s better, because it’s the way we would say these things to one another.”

Drawing from her own experience as a mother, Chang shared, “I’m also a mom in real life, which helps. I can think of times when I have felt as a parent… like, Have I ruined her? What am I not aware of? What do I not know?”

Hudson Williams has also spoken about the significance of the scene, calling it “the scene that ruined me the most when I read the script.” He noted that the moment wasn’t in the original book but felt like the perfect wrap-up to Shane’s character arc with his mother.

Chang praised the supportive atmosphere on set during the emotionally demanding shoot. She said the cast had grown close, describing Williams and co-star Connor Storrie as “like my sons on set, but also my friends off set.”

Since the finale aired, Chang said she has received heartfelt messages from fans who connected deeply with the scene’s themes of family, acceptance, and identity. She found the response both humbling and meaningful.

Heated Rivalry is currently streaming and has been renewed for a second season, with fans eagerly awaiting what’s next for Yuna, Shane, and the rest of the cast.