‘Heated Rivals’: Who is Connor Storrie?
If you’ve been binge-watching Heated Rivalry, the sizzling Crave series that’s got everyone talking about forbidden hockey romances, then you’ve undoubtedly fallen for Connor Storrie as the brooding Ilya Rozanov. But who is this fresh-faced Texan turning heads in Hollywood? Born in Odessa, Texas, in 2000, Connor Storrie traded small-town life for the spotlight, honing his craft from gymnastics flips to fluent French after a high school stint abroad. Before his breakout role, he slung plates as a server, dodging final warnings and dreaming big—now, with spots in Joker: Folie à Deux and Hulu’s Tiny Beautiful Things under his belt, he’s the queer-coded heartthrob redefining prestige TV drama.
From Texas roots to Tinseltown
Connor Storrie’s path to fame kicked off in 2018 with short films and bit parts, building grit while juggling restaurant shifts in Southern California. His family’s move from Odessa let him chase auditions, landing him in the 2023 indie flick Riley as Liam Hauser—a role that hinted at his knack for layered characters, much like the brooding antiheroes in peak TV gems like Succession.
But it was Connor Storrie’s turn as the enigmatic Ilya Rozanov in Heated Rivalry that catapulted him into the spotlight, earning praise for scenes delivered in flawless Russian—though he cheekily admitted on Late Night with Seth Meyers to fooling an extra into thinking he was fluent. The Crave series, blending sports grit with steamy tension, has fans buzzing, drawing comparisons to the forbidden sparks in vintage dramas like Maurice.
Fresh off presenting at the 2026 Golden Globes alongside co-star Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie signed with powerhouse agency CAA, signaling big moves ahead. He shared on CBS Mornings how he nearly got the boot from his waiter gig just before booking the role—talk about a plot twist worthy of any telenovela cliffhanger.
Promo circuit buzz
Connor Storrie hit the morning circuit on the TODAY show today, dishing about his chemistry test with co-star Hudson Williams that sealed their Heated Rivalry fates. Recalling the electric audition, he joked about channeling vintage rom-com vibes, proving why fans can’t get enough of their on-screen sizzle—it’s got that forbidden fruit allure straight out of a Merchant Ivory flick.
Beyond the Globes glow-up in sharp Armani, Connor Storrie addressed swirling dating rumors in a Pedestrian TV chat, keeping it coy while emphasizing real-life friendships over tabloid fodder. Esquire hailed him and Williams as the planet’s hottest duo, crediting the show’s hockey-heartthrob formula for turning casual viewers into die-hard stans overnight.
With CAA in his corner, Connor Storrie told The Hollywood Reporter he’s swimming in major scripts, from high-concept dramas to queer-led stories—opportunities he once deemed pipe dreams. As HuffPost UK’s pick for 2026 rising stars, his trajectory echoes breakout tales from prestige TV alums, hinting at a career that’s just heating up.
Voice work and beyond
Voice work and beyond
Connor Storrie expanded his talents into audio realms with the erotic romance fantasy Ember and Ice, narrating alongside Heated Rivalry co-star Hudson Williams for the Quinn platform. Released in late 2025 and early 2026, the project’s steamy episodes showcased his vocal prowess, blending fantasy elements with that signature brooding charm fans adore from his TV work.
Not just an actor, Connor Storrie dives into filmmaking, crafting stories behind the camera that echo his on-screen depth. His Wikipedia page notes this multifaceted career, hinting at directorial ambitions that could see him helming queer narratives, much like the indie spirit fueling prestige TV‘s boldest tales.
Looking ahead, Connor Storrie teases Heated Rivalry’s second season in interviews, promising more intense rivalries and heartfelt arcs. With scripts piling up via CAA, he’s eyeing diverse roles, from highbrow dramas to genre-bending projects, solidifying his status as Hollywood’s versatile rising star.
Late-night revelations
Connor Storrie made waves on his Late Night with Seth Meyers debut January 12 2026 where the show's team issued a special announcement about high demand for tickets—proof of his skyrocketing fame. He shared laughs about nearly quitting acting for a steadier gig revealing a grounded side amid Heated Rivalry hype
During the chat Connor Storrie opened up about the grind before his big break admitting he was scouting new jobs when the series exploded He quipped that mastering hockey for the role proved tougher than nailing Russian lines showcasing a witty charm that contrasts his intense on-screen persona
This appearance as noted in outlets like Vulture and The Hollywood Reporter highlighted Connor Storrie’s humorous edge far from Ilya’s brooding vibe With fans praising his authenticity it’s clear he’s not just a TV sensation but a relatable talent poised for more diverse venturesStar on the rise
Connor Storrie, the Odessa-born actor who's morphed from waiter woes to Hollywood’s queer-coded sensation, embodies the underdog triumph. With Heated Rivalrys renewal for seasons two and three, plus scripts flooding in, he's not just riding the wave—he's scripting his own prestige TV legacy, one brooding glance at a time.
