This story originally appeared on Out.
Until this past weekend, Heated Rivalry fans knew very little about Hudson Williams' new miniseries Yaga, but that's thankfully changed.
Part detective series, part supernatural thriller, this twisty mystery stars Williams alongside Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss and is based on a stage play of the same name that pulls from the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga.
Unlike the gay hockey romance that catapulted Williams to superstardom overnight, Yaga isn’t focused on a steamy same-sex romance, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty for Heated Rivalry fans to sink their teeth into.
The trailer not only gives viewers a taste of the tense action in Yaga, but also plenty of spicy moments with Williams. So while you’re going to have to wait until April 2027 to see queer hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov get down and dirty again in Heated Rivalry season two, this show will do a great job of holding you over.
What is 'Yaga' about?
Carrie-Anne Moss in 'Yaga.'
Bell Media
In the eight-part witchy detective series, adapted from Kat Sandler’s stage show of the same name, Williams stars as Henry Park, the heir to a powerful fishery. The show will follow a private investigator named Rapp who is tasked with searching for Henry in what executive producer Mackenzie Donaldson called a “crazy fairy tale dressed up like a detective series, a True Detective or Broadchurch.”
When Rapp arrives in the small coastal Canadian town that has been rocked by the disappearance, he “finds himself at odds with an apprehensive local detective” named Carson, who he ends up partnered up with, and has sexy run-ins with Katherine, “a charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men.” Things also get spooky when Rapp is drawn in by the mythical Baba Yaga and discovers “a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic,” the official synopsis reads.
Who is starring in 'Yaga'?
Yaga poster.
Bell Media
Not only does Yaga star Williams as Henry Park and Moss as Katherine, but Clark Backo (Venom: The Last Dance, Letterkenny) plays local cop Carson and Noah Reed (Schitt’s Creek, The Vampire Lestat) as Rapp.
The cast also includes Sheila McCarthy, Megan Follows, Ezra Franky, Patrick Gilmore, Katharine Isabelle, Hiro Kanagawa, Emilija Baranac, Georgia Acken, Anisa Harris, and Sam Krochmal.
What is the myth of Baba Yaga?
Yaga poster.
Bell Media
Often considered a feminist figure in Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a witch who lives in a house that walks through the forest on giant chicken legs (you can see this represented in one of the show’s posters) and is usually depicted as a crone who feasts upon children.
”There's versions of her all over the world," Moss' character, Katherine, says in the trailer. "Sometimes she's an ugly old witch who lives in a disappearing hut on chicken feet. Sometimes she's a wise woman, an enchantress, a healer. Sometimes she helps a hero on his quest."
She continues: "Sometimes she tests him. Sometimes she kills him. Sometimes she eats him. Sometimes she f***s him. But she always has a name.”
Is there a trailer for 'Yaga' yet?
The first teaser trailer for Yaga was released during the show’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25. For fans wondering if this spooky series will give you another glimpse of Williams being sexy and showing off his now-legendary peach… yes, yes it will.
Fans have reposted a screenshot from makeup artist Sarah Runnalls that confirms Williams is the one wearing the devil horns with his back to the camera in the trailer, which means his butt will be on display once again.
Not only that, but the trailer also shows a steamy kiss between Williams and Moss. A scene of Williams’ character shows him experiencing a little bit of self-pleasure, and eagle-eyed fans also think they spotted Williams’ character having a bisexual moment when he seems to be looking at a man out of the corner of his eye while kissing a woman (though it's unclear what's actually happening in the scene).
When will ‘Yaga’ premiere?
Noah Reed and Clark Backo in 'Yaga.'
Bell Media
Yaga is a Crave Original — much like Heated Rivalry – and will be streamed on AMC+ in the U.S. The eight-episode miniseries, which has been in the works since 2023, will premiere in October, though a specific date has yet to be released.
