Attention fans of the TV series “Heated Rivalry”: The Straw + Berry won’t be serving smoothies to you anytime soon, and the cottage is off-limits for now. The cast and crew of Season 2 are requesting privacy while filming, as shared by director Jacob Tierney on the official Instagram account of the show.
The message, directed towards the show’s devoted fans, emphasizes the importance of giving space to the cast and crew at filming locations to allow them to work efficiently. Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” is currently being filmed in Toronto and Montreal, with possible returns to familiar sites in Hamilton, Ontario.
Fans have shown immense enthusiasm to catch glimpses of the show’s stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Recent sightings of the duo in downtown Toronto led to excitement among fans, with some even embarking on shopping trips to Canadian Tire after seeing Williams carrying one of their reusable bags.
Since its premiere in late 2025, the queer hockey romance has garnered a global fan base for Williams and Storrie, propelling them into the spotlight of Canadian TV. The actors have been mindful about setting boundaries with fans and paparazzi, as evidenced by recent encounters where they declined photo requests.
In a separate incident, Williams was involved in a tense confrontation with alleged autograph-sellers in Paris last month. The attention on “Heated Rivalry” is not unique, as Sarah Polley’s movie adaptation of “The Bell Jar,” featuring pop star Billie Eilish, has also attracted public interest despite efforts to maintain a closed set.
While images from the sets have surfaced on social media, no official requests for privacy have been issued by the director or the film’s Instagram account.