Fans of the hit romance series Heated Rivalry were in for a surprise Sunday evening after one of the show’s stars was spotted arriving at Victoria International Airport.
Jennifer Emile says she was picking up a student around 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 1st when she noticed a familiar face stepping off a plane.
“I saw him come off the plane but wasn’t quite certain it was him at first,” she said. “He was wearing dark sunglasses, headphones and a cap.”
After meeting her student and heading toward the luggage area, Emile says the actor, Hudson Williams, was suddenly right behind her with a driver.
“He travelled alone,” she said.
At first, she snapped what she calls a “sneaky pic” of her student with Williams in the background just to take a closer look. Moments later, she watched another man quietly approach and shake his hand.
“I asked the man who that was and he said some actor from Heated Rivalry. My jaw dropped! It was Hudson Williams!”
Emile didn’t hesitate.
“I was so excited so I walked right up to him and said hi,” she said with a laugh. “I asked to shake his hand too. He was so sweet and we chatted.”
She showed Williams the sticker on the back of her phone featuring his character Hollander alongside Rosanov, and told him she creates beaded earrings inspired by the show, including designs featuring the characters’ hockey jersey numbers 81 and 24.
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“I told Hudson that I saw him on Saturday Night Live and he said he had to be there for Connor,” she said. “He is super down to earth. No fans, just me!”
Emile says she’s more than just a casual viewer.
“I am such a fan of Heated Rivalry. Obsessed really. I have never enjoyed a show as much as HR,” she said. “I told him that his show has gotten me through some darker days.”
The series, based on the bestselling hockey romance novels, follows the emotional love story between rival players Shane and Ilya — portrayed by Connor and Williams — and has developed a devoted fan base for its tender storytelling and chemistry between the leads.
“I love the love story between Shane and Ilya in the show. Such tenderness,” said Emile.
Already an Indigenous bead artist, Emile runs a local Indigenous artist market at Norway House on Hillside Avenue. When she became captivated by Heated Rivalry, she decided to channel that passion into her craft.
“The hockey jerseys from the show inspired the 81/24 beaded earrings,” she explained. “Then before the Valentine’s Indigenous pop-up market I created heart-shaped earrings and a blended heart pendant.”
She says she watches episodes while beading at night.
“I never tire of the best love story,” she said. “Hudson and Connor are such talented actors and I love watching them shine because they are pure joy like sunshine.”
Heated Rivalry has surged in popularity since its release, drawing a strong online following and fan art communities across North America. The series is available to stream on major platforms, where it continues to climb romance and drama rankings.
Williams’ appearance in Victoria comes amid reports that a production is currently filming on Vancouver Island, though details have not yet been confirmed. Film crews have been spotted in various parts of the Island in recent weeks, fuelling speculation that the actor may be here for work.
For now, Emile says the brief airport encounter is one she won’t forget.
“Meeting Hudson was exciting and made me realize how grounded, kind and lovely he really is,” she said.
And if recent sightings are any indication, Hudson Williams’ visit to Vancouver Island may have been more than just a quick stop.
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