Heated Rivalry has turned Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, and Robbie G.K. into overnight success stories, but long before they ever played the hot queer men at the heart of the popular gay hockey romance, they were already making audiences drool.
They’ve been in countless sexy photoshoots since Heated Rivalry first aired, but it turns out that they were just as sinfully hot before we ever saw them in the buff on HBO.
All four of the main stars of the show had careers before they were cast on Heated Rivalry, ranging from silly short films to fashion ads to TV series and scary movies. The parts may not have garnered them the kind of fame they are all experiencing now, but they gave audiences a taste of what was to come: extremely sexy and frequently shirtless roles.
These early roles show off their range as actors and prove that Williams, Storrie, Arnaud, and G.K. have always been a hot commodity.
Hudson Williams
'Super Support'
Mark Masterson/YouTube
Before he ever took on the role of closeted gay hockey star Shane Hollander, Hudson Williams starred in a bunch of short films, many made while he was in college.
In Super Support and Super Support 2, he plays Land Leopard, a "superhero" who sports a black eye mask, poorly drawn cat whiskers, leopard-print underwear, and an animal-print corset-style tank top. It's quite a look, and one that shows off the start of the physique fans have come to know and love him for.
'DOGGY'
Mark Masterson/YouTube
Williams wears nothing but underwear and a dog collar in the short film DOGGY, where a journalist discovers people who are pretending to be dogs in exchange for free rent.
'Buttons'
Hudson Williams/YouTube
Once again, Williams rocks a pair of animal-print undies in the short film Buttons, which finds him doing a sexy pole dance on the subway and showing off his ripped abs.
Connor Storrie
'Riley'
Tubi
Before he took on the role of bisexual Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov, Connor Storrie played a queer high school student in Riley. In one scene, a long-haired Storrie dances in a crop top that fans won't soon forget.
Lancel ad
Evasion Pictures
A sexy, shirtless Storrie appeared in Lancel's Modern Witch fashion commercial, showcasing his physique and long blond locks.
'XIOX Magazine' video
XIOX Magazine
Storrie did an incredible photo shoot for XIOX Magazine in 2023, featuring shots where he looked like a grungy rocker, as well as sexy videos, including this one where he looked like a hot prince.
François Arnaud
'The Borgias'
Showtime
François Arnaud played Cesare Borgia in the Showtime period drama years before he put on a skin-tight gray Under Armour shirt and ran to his local smoothie shop as hockey star Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry. In The Borgias, he may not have played a gay character, but he does appear in plenty of steamy sex scenes.
'Midnight, Texas'
NBC
Arnaud played Manfred Bernardo in the supernatural drama Midnight, Texas. In one particularly memorable scene, Arnaud is tied up while wearing just a pair of gray underwear.
'How Far Will We Take It?' music video
Orville Peck/YouTube
The openly bisexual actor got to make out with Orville Peck and be sandwiched between him and Noah Cyrus in the music video for "How Far Will We Take It?" So hot!
Robbie G.K.
'Marry F*** Kill'
Tubi
Before Robbie G.K. won a hockey captain's heart while working as a smoothie barista, he starred in the horror thriller Marry F*** Kill, where a group of friends reunites for a funeral and ends up playing a deadly game.
Even if scary movies aren't your thing, it's worth watching for a memorable scene where G.K. appears in his underwear and then naked in the bath.
'Utopia Falls'
Utopia Falls
Hulu
Back in 2020, Robbie G.K. played Tempo in the sci-fi musical Utopia Falls, where the bugling biceps that Heated Rivalry fans would become familiar with years later were on full display. FYI, since the show is a musical, you also get to see G.K. dancing — you won't want to miss it.
'Sheriff Country'
CBS
G.K. starred as a deputy in Sheriff Country's first season in 2025, and while the show is pretty tame, who doesn't love a man in uniform?! Plus, he's coming back for the second season, so there will be plenty more opportunities to soak up the eye candy.
