Quick summary
- Actor Jason Priestley told Entertainment Tonight that Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams should keep their heads down and focus on the work.
- Priestley starred in Beverly Hills, 90210 for all 10 seasons and says he would take a small role on Heated Rivalry, perhaps a coach or grandfather.
- Season 2 began filming in Toronto in August 2026, according to Attitude.
- A third season is not officially confirmed, although Storrie and Williams are reported to have signed for three.
Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have been handed some advice on handling sudden fame by an actor who lived through it in the 1990s. Jason Priestley, speaking to Entertainment Tonight this month, said the pair should ignore the noise around Heated Rivalry and concentrate on the show itself, according to a report by Parade syndicated on Yahoo.
What Jason Priestley told the Heated Rivalry leads
Priestley played Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210 throughout its 10-season run, which makes him one of the few people who can speak about being at the centre of a cultural phenomenon. Parade reports that his approach was simple. “What worked for me was just keeping my head down and focusing on the work,” he said, adding that the goal is to make every episode as good as possible because the rest is out of an actor’s control.
He also welcomed the attention the series has brought to hockey. Priestley, who is described as a known hockey player, called the interest “super exciting”. Asked whether he could imagine himself on the show, he joked that there might be room for a coach or a grandfather.
Priestley on the downside of fame
The Entertainment Tonight comments are not the first time Priestley has spoken about this topic. In an October 2026 interview on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, he said he could not leave his home without being approached by fans, and that it hurt his social life. He still described himself as thankful for the viewers who stayed with the show and later with him, and said he was always accommodating towards them.
That balance, grateful but protective of ordinary life, is the practical lesson behind his advice to the new stars. Heated Rivalry premiered its first season in November 2025, so this month marks a year since the show began reaching audiences.
Heated Rivalry season 2 is already in production
While the advice makes headlines, the cast has been working. Attitude reports that filming on season 2 began in August 2026 in Toronto, with Storrie and Williams returning as Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. On 9 November, co-star Sophie Nélisse, who plays Rose Landry, shared a behind-the-scenes photo on her Instagram Story showing Williams in the makeup chair in a striped dressing gown with a dog on his lap.
Attitude also notes reports that seasons 2 and 3 are being filmed back to back in Toronto and other parts of Canada. A third season has not been officially confirmed, though the outlet says both leads have signed contracts covering three seasons. Treat that as a report rather than a studio announcement.
Who else is back, and what is new
François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. are confirmed to return as Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. Arnaud told WWD that “there’s more of Scott”, without saying in what capacity, according to Attitude. Nélisse is also confirmed to return as Rose, who briefly dated Williams’ character in season 1 before becoming a close friend.
New cast members include Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi, with more names to come. Attitude also points to a Deadline report of a Christmas special centred on Scott and Kip, with filming reported to start in December ahead of a cinema release in late 2027.
What happens next
Season 2 remains in production, and no premiere date appears in the sources we read. The Christmas special is reported to begin filming in December. For readers following the pair’s friendship off screen, see our earlier piece, Hudson Williams Calls Connor Storrie a Platonic Soulmate, and everything we publish on Connor Storrie. More coverage sits in our TV & Dramas section.
Frequently asked questions
What advice did Jason Priestley give Connor Storrie?
He said to keep your head down, focus on the work and make every episode as good as possible, because everything else is out of your control. He gave the comments to Entertainment Tonight.
When did Heated Rivalry season 2 start filming?
Attitude reports that filming began in August 2026 in Toronto, Canada.
Is there a Heated Rivalry season 3?
Not officially. Attitude says reports suggest seasons 2 and 3 are being filmed consecutively, and that the two leads have signed for three seasons, but a third season has not been confirmed.
Who plays Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander?
Connor Storrie plays Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams plays Shane Hollander. Both are returning for season 2.
