The breakout star of the viral sports romance series Heated Rivalry has revealed he has received private, heartfelt messages from closeted professional athletes, moved by the show's portrayal of gay and bisexual hockey players.
Anonymous Messages from the Locker Room
In an interview with Andy Cohen set to air on Thursday 8 January 2026, 24-year-old actor Hudson Williams opened up about the unexpected and profound impact of the Crave/HBO Max adaptation. Williams, who plays closeted gay hockey star Shane Hollander, told Cohen's SiriusXM show Radio Andy that the messages have come from athletes across multiple sports who remain in the closet.
"The people who reach out, somewhat anonymously, who are like, 'I'm a professional player still, and I'm still in the closet,'" Williams said. He confirmed the outreach was not limited to hockey, stating, "Hockey players, football players, basketball players, yeah."
Williams explained that some athletes contact the series' author, Rachel Reid, who then relays the anonymous emails. Others reach out directly through private channels like Instagram. "Those ones are the ones that really just kind of hit you," Williams admitted, highlighting that the show is "celebratory, but also sometimes it's just hitting people right in the nerve."
A Show That Sparked a Conversation
The series, based on Reid's Game Changers book series, concluded its first season last month after six weeks that propelled it to record-breaking fame. It has been renewed for a second season. Alongside its success—which includes late-night talk show appearances, mentions during CNN's New Year's Eve coverage, and over a million Instagram followers for its leads—Heated Rivalry has ignited a crucial debate about sexuality in professional sports.
The show underscores a stark reality: there has never been an openly gay player in the NHL. The closest milestone came in 2021 when Luke Prokop became the first player under contract with an NHL team to come out as gay. However, Prokop currently plays for an AHL affiliate team and has not yet debuted in the NHL.
In a recent New York Times interview, Prokop spoke about the delicate balance he faces, noting, "With hockey and the LGBTQ community, it’s tricky. You don’t want to do too much to draw attention to it, where some teams might say, 'Oh, we view that as a distraction.'"
Mixed Reactions from the Sports World
While fans hope the series will pave the way for greater real-world representation, some voices from the sports community express caution. Brock McGillis, a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who came out in 2016, worries the show's reception might have unintended consequences.
Speaking to PinkNews, McGillis stated, "It's probably more likely to have an adverse effect on a player coming out." He added, "I don't believe that many hockey bros are going to watch it. And I don't think, if they are watching it, they're talking about it positively."
This contrast highlights the complex journey towards inclusivity in professional athletics. The heartfelt messages received by Williams demonstrate the show's powerful resonance with those living the reality it depicts, even as the wider sporting culture continues to grapple with change.
