Throughout my years overseeing Variety‘s Actors on Actors series, I’ve avoided revealing the intricacies of the production process. When fans express displeasure on social media about our magazine’s failure to pair two seemingly ideal actors, I refrain from explaining on X that we did attempt it, but one or both actors declined what seemed like an obvious match. Sometimes, the reasons are dramatic, other times, quite ordinary. Yet, sharing these stories would detract from the focus on the talented actors who do join our series.
The charm of Actors on Actors, which will be available on CNN’s streaming platform on June 3, lies in pairing the right actors for conversation. Although it seems straightforward, as fan suggestions indicate, producing this series is quite complex. Coordinating Actors on Actors is akin to matchmaking among the world’s most renowned figures, requiring approval from numerous publicists and awards strategists.
Today, I’m breaking my rule about not discussing the stars who slipped away. The lineup for our upcoming episodes, featuring this year’s most talked-about TV performers, will be revealed on Monday. Yet, notably absent will be any actors from “Heated Rivalry.” Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t secure participation from the breakout stars of this influential series about gay hockey players: the exceptional Connor Storrie, the engaging Hudson Williams, and the captivating François Arnaud. These actors, adored by millions of “Heated Rivalry” fans, cause a social media frenzy simply by attending events, and their talent backs their swift rise to fame. They merit a place in our portfolio alongside the industry’s biggest names.
However, they declined our invitation. I believe they would have accepted if not for one crucial detail: “Heated Rivalry” is ineligible for this year’s Emmys due to a technicality. Produced by Bell Media’s Crave, a Canadian streaming service (available in the U.S. on HBO Max), the show and its stars weren’t submitted for Emmy consideration, leading to the actors not campaigning currently. While Actors on Actors isn’t solely about awards (as evidenced by Ryan Reynolds’ participation for the “Deadpool” movies and David Corenswet, of “Superman,” joining us recently), the series is published in Variety during the initial phase of Emmy voting, ideally timed to aid in securing nominations.
Perhaps the actors feared it would appear presumptuous to join a campaign event for an award they can’t win. Yet, the Emmys need “Heated Rivalry” more than the series needs the Emmys. It’s a true hit, cherished not just by its core fans but also by casual viewers who admire its intense romance and well-developed characters. The TV Academy’s exclusion of “Heated Rivalry” is disappointing on several fronts: for fashion brands eager to dress Met Gala stars Storrie and Williams, for fans, and for NBC, which is broadcasting the Emmys this year.
Why is this happening? According to my colleague Michael Schneider, the TV Academy requires U.S. production funding for eligibility, limiting the pool of potential nominees. Many popular international shows (like “Adolescence” and “Squid Game”) have bypassed this rule by incorporating U.S. producers before airing, but “Heated Rivalry,” produced in Canada, did not expand its backers when it sold to HBO Max. Thus, the series remains beyond the Emmys’ reach.
When a show captivates so many in the U.S., does its production location truly matter? Aren’t the Emmys meant to honor what we actually watch? The streaming era in Hollywood has repeatedly shown that new and significant voices can emerge from unexpected places, and old rules should sometimes be reevaluated.
The Emmys will feel incomplete without acknowledging a show that enchanted us all. The iconic cottage where the star-crossed lovers Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) confess their love is as memorable to viewers as “Friends” Central Perk or Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment in “Sex and the City,” both series that eventually won Emmys. Under no circumstances should “Heated Rivalry,” a defining cultural phenomenon of this decade, be left out of any awards event intended to highlight TV excellence. I only regret it’s also absent from our Actors on Actors portfolio.
I can envision the numerous veteran actors who would have eagerly engaged with Hollywood’s most thrilling new talents. There would have been ample awards voters eager to see Ilya receive recognition on live TV.
Ramin Setoodeh is the co-editor-in-chief and co-president of Variety.
