Canadian actor Callan Potter chatted about starring in the hit sports drama TV series “Heated Rivalry” on Max.
Walt Disney once said “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
This quote applies to Potter and the cast, crew, and filmmakers of the popular drama TV series “Heated Rivalry,” which was created by Jacob Tierney.
‘Heated Rivalry’ experience
The synopsis is: Two rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) are at the top of their game yet they face an unexpected challenge when they develop feelings for each other (and forbidden love), which complicates their hockey careers, and the sport’s expectations.
On his “Heated Rivalry” experience, Potter remarked, “It was truly amazing! It was so much fun. It was one of my favorite sets that I’ve ever worked on. Everybody was so lovely, and just a pleasure to work with and be around.”
“Overall, it was a wonderful experience,” he added.
Playing Hayden Pike
Potter is drawn to his character, Hayden Pike, for various reasons. “I love how earnest he is. He says what is on his mind, he’s very open, supportive, and playful,” he said.
“Hayden loves his family, his friends, his team and he’s very fiercely loyal to all three. I also love the opportunity, as an actor, when you get a character that doesn’t take themselves too seriously, so that was great,” he elaborated.
“I love that he’s got like a little bit of snark too, which I’m really looking forward to that coming out to play more in Season 2,” he foreshadowed.
Lessons learned from the ‘Heated Rivalry’ screenplay
On the lessons learned from the “Heated Rivalry'” script, he said, “Honestly, I found out I’m kind of a sucker for a good romance, and it’s a genre that I never really gravitated towards before as much.”
“I was so invested both watching and reading the show. I kind of forgot that I was in it. I would jump-scare myself when I saw myself on screen. Also, my vision definitely got pretty blurry at the end of Episode 5,” he elaborated.
“It is such a wonderful and moving story,” he admitted. “You are watching it with your mouth open as if it were a cartoon. It was very cathartic to watch something so beautiful as both a viewer and then, a participant as well. It was great!”
Working with Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander
On working with Hudson Williams as his scene partner, Potter said, “Hudson is amazing! He is so fun and so charismatic. I love that guy! He is such a lovely dude, he’s so funny, and great to talk to.”
“We had a great time on set. It’s so awesome to watch him get the recognition that he deserves because he worked his ass off on that show,” Potter said. “I’m so happy for him. I’m objectively so proud and happy for his success.”
Future plans
Regarding his future plans, he shared, “I just want to keep working. I love my job. I’m really grateful for it. I want to keep telling stories. I feel so lucky because every job is a new adventure, and it’s just so much fun.”
“I can’t wait for Season 2. It’s going to be awesome to see everyone in the cast again,” he noted.
“Also, I would like to explore as many different like genres as I can. I’m working on a horror show right now, which is really fun and quite gory. The prosthetics in it are so cool,” he admitted.
“In my career, I want to have a very healthy mix of theater, TV, and film. I love theater. It’s always going to have a very special place in my heart,” he said.
“You can’t beat the feeling of being in a room where everyone is right in front of you. I love it… every theater actor I know is so incredibly talented,” he exclaimed.
Career-defining moments
On his career-defining moments, he stated, “I think ‘Heated Rivalry’ in itself is a defining moment in a way because it has the higher number of people that have seen my work in anything.”
“It feels surreal when I see actors and artists that I’ve admired and respected for so long talking about our show in interviews. Obviously, I’m a relatively small part of it, but I cannot believe that all these people are seeing my work… it’s amazing,” he observed.
“I think I’ve learned something from every set I’ve ever been on. Whether it’s a piece of advice from someone who has been around the block or watching someone work and just be inspired by their skills or their tactics or their process or their choices,” he elaborated.
“We are all molded in some way or another by everyone we meet, or all sums of our experiences,” he noted.
“I’m really grateful to have had the experiences I’ve had, I think there have been some really incredible moments, and I’ve gotten some insightful advice from a variety of really excellent people,” he explained.
Advice for young and emerging actors
For young and aspiring actors, he said, “I don’t feel overly qualified to give anyone advice. I still feel like a baby sometimes but if I had to say something, it is to just keep going.”
“It’s not always going to be easy,” he admitted. “The only way to truly fail is if you quit…you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
“Whenever you go into an audition, just have a good time and find the joy… it’s always more fun or enjoyable when an actor is present and enjoying themselves… that allows them to be weird, take risks and have fun… Just keep going,” he elaborated.
Stage of his life
On the title the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Spring.”
“I think winter has been great. It’s been very cold, but I’m ready for a little bit of warmth,” he said. “I think things are growing and it feels like there are green little sprouts shooting up. I’m excited to try and nurture my garden as best as I can.”
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Potter said, “The world is in a weird place right now. Things are strange, especially in the digital age.”
“I don’t necessarily think social media is great for humanity, where it’s so focused on maximizing people’s attention to the point of where it doesn’t take into account whether or not it’s good for people,” he explained.
“It’s a double-edged sword where it has all this potential to do so many great things. It’s good as a tool if used the right way… there is so much connectivity and accessibility,” he elaborated.
“Sometimes, it’s a little scary being in the digital age but there are also a lot of amazing things that I think technology has given us and I’m grateful for it in a lot of ways,” he acknowledged.
“This year, I’m going to strive to remove myself as much as I can from this digital aspect of my life,” he said. “As an actor, you need social media in a weird way. There are great places on the Internet and I think there are some really toxic places.”
“I would love it if everyone was kind and lovely, and looked out for each other. Sometimes, social media and technology makes it easier to do that, and sometimes, it makes it harder,” he expanded.
Allan Hawco
Potter had great words about fellow Canadian actor and producer Allan Hawco.
“Allan is great! He is a lovely guy,” Potter said. “I met him when I was in theater school because he was working on a short film with the year above us. He is super talented and I love his work!”
“I would love to work with him someday on a project… he has a good heart on him,” he added.
Working with Luke Humphrey in ‘The Three Musketeers’
Potter also praised fellow Canadian actor Luke Humphrey, whom he worked with on a stage production of “The Three Musketeers.” “I love Luke. Working with Luke was great,” he exclaimed. “I was really young when I did that play…. around 14 years old and I was super green coming into this room with some very seasoned and really good actors.”
“So, it was a little bit intimidating,” Potter admitted. “Luke was so kind, he would make time to chat and joke around with me. Luke really set an example of how to bring positive energy into that space.”
“Luke made time for me and other people, even when he was doing so much playing the lead D’Artagnan, in the show, where he was killing it in that role. Luke taught me a lot and I still look up to him. Luke is just so great,” he added.
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Potter said, “I think success can mean a lot of different things. For me, it’s getting to do the thing you love and getting to take care of the people you love while doing it.”
“Also, being lucky enough to have people that yo love and care about you in your life,” he said. “I just want to be better than I was yesterday.”
Message for the ‘Heated Rivalry’ fans
For his fans and supporters, Potter expressed, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t have the words to adequately express how grateful I am to everyone who has been with me on this journey, who supported me and shared their kindnesses with me.”
“The fan support has been so surreal. You guys are so awesome. I’m so honored that y’all are rocking with me. I am so excited to see what’s next for all of us,” he elaborated.
“I hope their days are joyful, their pillows are cool, and I hope their hearts are kind. I love you all very much,” Potter said, effusively.
Closing thoughts on ‘Heated Rivalry’
For viewers and fans, he remarked, “I would love for people to take away that this is a story where love wins in the end.”
“Real life can be very scary and uncertain in some ways, especially to have this ongoing secret but I think it’s so beautiful that they find each other, and then get to have this wonderful story with a happy ending to it,” he said.
“Shane and Ilya don’t have to be anyone but themselves to get that happy ending. That’s what I would love for the fans to take away… is that you don’t have to change to try and chase your version of your happy ending if you stay true to yourselves,” he explained.
“If you love fully, and with an open heart, then your happy ending will find you. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges or trials along the way, but love wins in the end and trust yourself to find it,” Potter concluded.
To learn more about Canadian actor Callan Potter, follow him on Instagram.
