In a feature interview with FACES Magazine, actor Hudson Williams discusses his dual roles in the supernatural mystery-thriller series YAGA, his breakout success in the adaptation Heated Rivalry, and his path from British Columbia to international stardom.
Hudson Williams Discusses Playing Dual Roles in YAGA
Williams stars in the supernatural mystery-thriller series YAGA, adapted from the hit stage play of the same name. The series was created by Kat Sandler, and the actor plays two characters in the show: Henry Park, who also appears in the stage play, and a new character named Logan. Williams describes Henry as well-travelled, pretentious, manipulative, and conceited, while characterizing Logan as a perverted boy with maybe a good heart and impressionable. The series also stars Carrie-Anne Moss, Noah Reid, and Clark Backo.
The project brought Williams to the Toronto International Film Festival for its premiere. He notes that the 30-minute episodic thriller drew him in through its witchy, feminist, rage themes and unexpected twists. Williams and his creative team read through the scripts without guessing the outcome, noting that the narrative kept them on the edge of their seats.
From Vancouver Training to International Stardom
Born and raised in British Columbia, Williams balanced the arts and sports during his youth, training in theatre, music, and dance while playing competitive basketball and practicing mixed martial arts. He graduated from Vancouver’s Langara College Film Arts program in 2020, before deepening his craft through professional theatre classes. He also wrote, directed, produced, and starred in independent short films with a close-knit circle of creative collaborators.
📰 NEW FEATURE | Hudson Williams for FACES Magazine!Hudson talks about playing Henry Park and Logan in YAGA, returning to Shane Hollander for Heated Rivalry Season 2, his experience working with Dylan O’Brien on Apparatus, his acting inspirations, and how his life and career… pic.twitter.com/mVnMqjmIsd
His acting ambitions began early at a performing arts elementary school that he attended from grades one to seven, where he performed dumbed-down Shakespeare and poetry recitals. Williams cites Heath Ledger as an early inspiration, pointing to Ledger’s performance as the Joker and roles in films like Ten Things I Hate About You and A Knight’s Tale as examples of complete character reinvention.
Global Phenomenon of Heated Rivalry
Williams achieved international stardom after being cast as Shane Hollander in Jacob Tierney’s series Heated Rivalry, adapted from the bestselling novels by Rachel Reid. Following its debut in the fall of 2025, the series became a global phenomenon.
Reflecting on the audition process, Williams recalls that the self-tape arrived with a deceptively small approach that reflected Tierney’s irreverence. During callbacks, Williams read directly with Tierney rather than a traditional reader, initially assuming the production had no money. He expresses surprise at how closely audiences analyzed Shane Hollander’s nuances and internal conflicts, noting that viewers picked up on the protective backstory he built for the character.
Upcoming Projects Including Apparatus
Beyond YAGA and Heated Rivalry, Williams stars alongside Dylan O’Brien in the project Apparatus. Williams describes his role as an incel-adjacent Uber driver, calling the character the hardest one to let go of after filming wrapped.
Looking ahead, Williams remains tight-lipped about the specific twists in YAGA while promoting the 30-minute episodic thriller format.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hudson Williams
Where did Hudson Williams grow up and train as an actor?
Williams grew up in British Columbia, where he attended a performing arts elementary school from grades one to seven. He later graduated from Vancouver’s Langara College Film Arts program in 2020 and took professional theatre classes.
Who created the supernatural series YAGA?
Kat Sandler created the supernatural mystery-thriller series YAGA, which adapts her stage play of the same name. The series features a cast that includes Hudson Williams, Carrie-Anne Moss, Noah Reid, and Clark Backo.
What role does Hudson Williams play in Heated Rivalry?
Williams stars as Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry, a series by Jacob Tierney based on the bestselling novels by Rachel Reid. The show debuted in the fall of 2025 and launched Williams to international stardom.
Which actor does Williams cite as his early career inspiration?
Williams cites Heath Ledger as the first person who epitomized his appreciation for acting, specifically noting Ledger’s transformative performances.
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