Connor Storrie is opening up about both his off-screen bond with Heated Rivalry co-star Hudson Williams and the latest developments surrounding the highly anticipated second season of the hit series.

The 25-year-old actor made his first-ever appearance on a morning television show when he stopped by TODAY on Wednesday, January 14. His visit was a big one — not only because of what he revealed, but also because he appeared twice throughout the broadcast. Storrie joined the show during the 8 a.m. hour and later returned for another segment on the 3rd Hour of Today, giving fans multiple chances to hear from him.

During his interviews, Connor shared encouraging news about Heated Rivalry Season 2. According to the actor, production on the new season is expected to kick off “soon,” with filming potentially starting as early as this summer. He also confirmed that showrunner Jacob Tierney is currently still in the writing phase, actively working on the upcoming episodes. While no firm dates were announced, the update alone was enough to excite fans who have been eagerly waiting for any hint of progress.

Beyond the behind-the-scenes updates, Connor leaned into the fun side of his appearance by participating in a playful cooking segment in the TODAY kitchen. As a nod to the series, he prepared tuna melts — a food item that has become a recognizable reference for fans of the show. While cooking, he joked with the hosts and confidently declared, “That is cute, but I’m going to show you how it’s really done,” before humorously announcing, “Okay, ladies, toaster on!” The moment quickly became a lighthearted highlight of his visit.

Connor also reflected on how fans have latched onto certain lines and quirks from his character, Ilya. One phrase, in particular, has followed him everywhere since the show premiered. He admitted that people constantly repeat his version of the word “Okay,” delivered in Ilya’s distinct Russian accent.

“I didn’t even notice this until after the show aired,” he said. “But apparently I say ‘OK’ all the time — and in a very specific way.” Another line that fans frequently quote back to him is: “I’m coming to the cottage,” which has also become iconic within the fandom.

The conversation then turned to Connor’s recent experience at the Golden Globe Awards, where he found himself doing a bit of bold self-promotion. He revealed that he approached a director he deeply admires — though he chose not to name them — and pitched himself for an upcoming project.

“There’s a director I really, really want to work with,” Connor explained. “They have a movie coming up, and I just went for it. I said, ‘Hi, I love you. I want to be in your movie.’” He laughed as he recalled how the conversation quickly shifted to other topics, but he didn’t see that as a rejection. Instead, he speculated that the director might have simply been trying to connect on a more personal, human level.

Finally, Connor offered a sweet and revealing detail about his relationship with co-star Hudson Williams. When asked how Hudson is saved in his phone, Connor shared that his contact name is “Huddy,” followed by “(Shane)” in parentheses — a clear nod to Hudson’s character on the show.

“I think I put that in after we did our first Zoom,” Connor said. “We connected, then shared numbers, and that’s just how it stayed.”

Altogether, Connor Storrie’s TODAY show debut offered fans a mix of meaningful updates, charming personal stories, and playful moments — reinforcing why both he and Heated Rivalry continue to capture so much attention.