“Takes me some energy”: Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie opens up about filming the first intimate scene in the HBO series

Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov (Image Via: Instagram/@heatedrivalrycrave)
Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov (Image Via: Instagram/@heatedrivalrycrave)

Heated Rivalry is not shy about tension, feelings, or the awkward firsts, and Connor Storrie knows that better than anyone. While talking about shooting the show’s very first intimate scene to Variety, the actor was honest about nerves, focus, and slowing his body down.

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He says:

“I, as a person, move a lot, and so it takes me some energy sometimes to chill out and not move.”

This pretty much sums up how intense and carefully planned that moment really was.


When the cameras rolled, and Connor Storrie had to slow everything down for Heated Rivalry

For fans of Heated Rivalry, Episode 2 is truly unforgettable. The tension is utterly palpable but quiet in a very specific way. Connor Storrie, in a conversation with Variety, spoke about filming that first intimate scene and what was actually going through his head before the cameras even started rolling.

He made it clear that the pressure was not just about being naked or exposed. In fact, he pointed out that his co-star Hudson was more physically exposed in that moment.

Connor explained to Variety that he was fully clothed for most of the scene and that the camera stayed on his face almost the entire time. That detail mattered to him. He said:

“I was less exposed than Hudson was, right? I’m fully clothed. I’m bossing him around. He takes his underwear off.”

Because the focus was on his reactions, he had to control his natural habit of moving too much. He even described having to remind himself to stay still and let the tension do the work instead of his body.

That calm on screen did not come naturally. Connor told Variety that he was constantly thinking about how to not move and how to lean into the moment without breaking it.

The scene might look smooth and confident in Heated Rivalry, but behind the scenes, it was all about restraint, awareness, and trusting the process.


The not-so-glamorous truth behind Heated Rivalry’s first intimate scene

Heated Rivalry may look effortless on screen, but Connor Storrie was very real about how technical these scenes actually are. Speaking to Variety, he broke down what happens once a scene shifts from tension to s*x.

According to him, it is not about romance in the moment. It is about precision. He openly said that a lot of the work is making sure that nothing that should not be seen ends up on camera.

Connor explained that filming those scenes is a constant back and forth. He described it as placing hands, legs, and bodies in very exact positions and adjusting again and again until the shot works. He explained:

“It’s literally like, ‘My hand is going to be here. Your leg is going to be here. I’m going to hide myself with this.”

He added that the crew is always checking and correcting, making sure the illusion stays intact.

The first s*x scene filmed for the show was set in a Vegas hotel room. Connor described dragging a chair, watching his scene partner perform, and then letting the energy shift into something rougher. But what really stands out in Heated Rivalry is not just the aggression.

It is the care. In that same episode, Ilya keeps checking in with Shane during their first time together. That tenderness changes how the scene feels. It shows that beneath the bravado, the character is thoughtful and deeply aware of his partner’s comfort.


Connor Storrie’s honesty pulls the curtain back on Heated Rivalry in the best way. His comments show that filming intimacy is less about confidence and more about control, teamwork, and trust.

By slowing himself down and focusing on the moment, he helped shape one of the show’s most talked-about scenes. It is messy, technical, and human, which is exactly why it works so well on screen.


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Edited by IRMA