Hudson Williams dropped the gloves — and his shirt.
The “Heated Rivalry” star, 24, is making the most of his breakaway moment with a sizzling new photo shoot for Numéro Netherlands, trading hockey pads for high fashion at the LA Kings Valley Ice Center.
Styled by Adrián Jose Ramos Diaz and shot by photographer Tyler Patrick Kenny, Williams posed shirtless in fur coats, leather pants and deconstructed denim by Dsquared2, Namilia and Willy Chavarria — at one point perching atop a Zamboni in head-to-toe black leather.
It’s a fitting setting for the actor, who plays closeted Canadian hockey star Shane Hollander opposite Connor Storrie’s Ilya Rozanov in the hit Crave/HBO Max queer romance — a role that’s catapulted him from relative obscurity to internet MVP in a matter of weeks.
“I definitely thought it would be a passionate fan base for the people it found, but I did not think it would be this thing that is everywhere on social media,” Williams told the magazine. “It’s become a show that everyone gathers their friends around… that blows my mind.”
The Korean-Canadian actor was working as a waiter in Vancouver right up until filming began on the series, which premiered Nov. 28 and earned a second-season renewal just two weeks later.
“I went from a place that you’re kind of accepting, which was my serving job, as this could be my work for a few years,” he explained. “And then that ticket to maybe a successful show — I couldn’t accept it. I really didn’t believe that it could amount to a bigger thing.”
Now? He’s still adjusting to life in the spotlight.
“I’m almost missing the restaurants — not missing them, but that was easy. That was safe,” he admitted. “And this feels like a tornado.”
Williams has credited his intense bond with Storrie, 25, for helping him navigate the whirlwind — although he has previously joked that their closeness is “a nightmare for HR.”
The Kamloops, British Columbia, native also drew on personal experience to shape his portrayal of Shane, whom Rachel Reid — the author behind the book series on which the show is based — has confirmed is autistic.
“My dad is autistic, so I talked to him a little about this,” Williams revealed. “I kind of started to wear it like a giant mask that engulfs your whole body.”
The actor also discussed the responsibility of playing a queer lead, noting he focused on Shane’s specific experience rather than trying to represent the entire LGBTQ+ community.
“I just had to focus on this one… robot boy’s little queerness,” he said.
Off set, Williams has become just as much of a fascination. His 20-minute skincare routine video for The Cut went viral earlier this month, with at least one fan calling it the “best 20 minutes” of their life.
Judging by how polished he looks, draped in fur and distressed denim, it’s clear that his 39-product regimen is paying off.
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