It seems like everywhere Torontonians look these days, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are strolling around the city, sparking global fan excitement.
The stars of “Heated Rivalry” have been photographed popping up around downtown as production begins on the second season of Crave’s hit gay hockey romance. It’s turning the most mundane moments into viral obsessions — for instance, a recent excursion drew attention for the actor’s twinning outfits of matching black shirts and jean shorts.
Here’s a guide to the latest fixations, from a Canadian Tire shopping bag to a garbage bin that has become an unlikely “HudCon” photo opportunity.
Hudson Williams makes Canadian Tire a hot ticket
Williams and Storrie were first spotted strolling along Yonge Street. A few days later, the co-stars were photographed running a series of weekend errands that quickly turned into a fan fixation.
The pair appeared to stop at the Canadian Tire inside the Eaton Centre, and Williams emerged carrying one of the retailer’s signature red, white and black plaid shopping bags. Paparazzi photos quickly spread online, prompting both local and international fans to seek out the $1.99 polypropylene tote.
Sales of the reusable bag have increased 30-fold since Williams was spotted carrying one, according to Eva Salem, Canadian Tire’s senior vice-president of marketing. Some Toronto-area locations were sold out by Tuesday, while Salem said the retailer plans to restock those stores soon.
Fans in the United Kingdom and beyond have turned to the Canadian “Heated Rivalry” community to help secure the bags and ship them to their homes. On eBay, the tote is being resold for as much as $21.
The “HudCon can” garbage bin photo op
Even a downtown trash bin has become part of the HudCon phenomenon. During their shopping expedition, the actors briefly stopped at Sankofa Square, where Storrie leaned against one of the metal receptacles decorated with cartoons of foxes and raccoons.
Fans quickly began seeking out the location, with one dubbing it “the HudCon Can” on social media. The attention brought unexpected recognition to Oakville illustrator Sharn Bassi, one of four artists commissioned to decorate the square’s benches and bins.
Bassi says her artwork, titled “Shared Ground,” explores the “quiet coexistence between people and wildlife in the city.” She never imaged it would become a “Heated Rivalry” hotspot.
“I designed a pattern to wrap around a garbage can — I definitely didn’t expect it to become a tourist destination,” she told the Star.
“This is daily life meeting fandom in a really unexpected way.”
“I’m glad everyone’s enjoying it, she added. “That’s the point of public art.”
As part of the project, Bassi has been selling memorabilia featuring the print through her website, including greeting cards and tumbler mugs.
Jacob Tierney’s plea for space
As fan excitement continues to grow, “Heated Rivalry” creator Jacob Tierney is asking for a little patience and space. In a post shared on Instagram earlier this week, Tierney thanked the show’s “incredible fans” while urging them to respect filming locations.
“As we gear up for more Heated Rivalry, please help us in making it the best it can be. If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best. We promise it’ll be worth the wait!”
“Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness have meant the world to us,” he wrote in a message signed “Your Heated Rivalry Family.”
For a fandom that has turned shopping bags and garbage cans into cultural touchpoints, it may be unrealistic to expect everyone to heed the calls for calm.
