Connor Storrie scores surprise Emmy nomination after 'Heated Rivalry' snub

Connor Storrie has earned the first Emmy nomination of his career, though it comes from an unexpected project rather than his widely praised performance in the hockey drama Heated Rivalry.

The actor received a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting Saturday Night Live during its Feb. 28 episode.

Storrie’s appearance on the long-running NBC sketch show featured several standout moments, including welcoming members of the U.S. women’s hockey team during his opening monologue and performing an ice-skating sketch alongside his Heated Rivalry co-star Hudson Williams. NBC submitted Storrie for Emmy consideration alongside several high-profile hosts from Saturday Night Live Season 51, but he was the only guest host to secure a nomination. The series itself received 11 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Variety Series.

Despite the growing popularity of Heated Rivalry, the series was not eligible for the 2026 Emmy Awards. The drama is fully financed by Canadian broadcaster Bell Media and later licensed to HBO Max for U.S. streaming. Under Television Academy rules, foreign productions must be co-financed and co-produced by U.S. partners before production begins to qualify for Emmy consideration.

HBO content chairman and CEO Casey Bloys has also confirmed that HBO Max will continue serving only as the U.S. distributor for future seasons, meaning the show's eligibility status is unlikely to change.

Although Heated Rivalry missed out on Emmy consideration, the series could still compete at the International Emmy Awards, where productions from outside the United States are eligible for recognition. Storrie’s nomination nevertheless marks a major career milestone and highlights his growing presence across both television comedy and drama.