Connor Storrie earned his first Primetime Emmy nomination for hosting Saturday Night Live in February 2026. Meanwhile, his breakout hockey romance series Heated Rivalry missed out on major nominations entirely due to strict television academy rules governing foreign and international co-productions.
The morning announcements for the upcoming Emmy Awards brought a mix of celebration and stark regulatory reality for fans of the streaming phenomenon. While the show itself was left off the nomination ballot, one of its central stars broke through in an unexpected category. The recognition highlights a major career milestone for the actor even as industry guidelines shut out the series he anchors.
Why Heated Rivalry Was Ineligible for Primetime Emmy Consideration
Fans scanning the list of nominees discovered a glaring absence for the acclaimed Canadian hockey romance series. The omission sparked immediate questions about how a breakout hit could be entirely overlooked during the eligibility window running from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026. Industry rules provide a clear, if frustrating, answer for viewers.
According to Television Academy guidelines, foreign television production is ineligible unless it is the result of a co-production (both financially and creatively) between U.S. and foreign partners, which precedes the start of production, and with a purpose to be shown on U.S. television. Although American audiences stream the drama on HBO Max, the series was created by the Canadian company Bell Media and broadcasts on the domestic service Crave. Because the production does not meet the strict criteria for a domestic U.S. co-production, the Primetime Emmy Awards closed the door on its consideration, though the series remains eligible for the International Emmy Awards.
Connor Storrie Lands a Nomination Through Saturday Night Live
The shutout for the fictional hockey universe did not extend to its lead actor. The 26-year-old performer secured a coveted spot in the best guest actor in a comedy category. The nomination arrived Wednesday morning for his Saturday Night Live hosting gig during the Feb. 28 episode that featured Mumford & Sons as the musical guest and included an onscreen appearance by his pal and onscreen Heated Rivalry beau Hudson Williams for a sketch.
Reflecting on the milestone in an email statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the Texas-born actor expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved in the production. Storrie told The Hollywood Reporter about the nomination in an email statement that Saturday Night Live was such a pinch-me moment in his career. He added that it was a formative part of his life growing up, so being recognized by the Academy for hosting felt incredibly surreal, and he was so grateful to everyone who made that night possible.
The guest actor in a comedy prize is typically given out at the Creative Arts Emmys ahead of the televised main ceremony. The Creative Arts ceremony is currently slated to take place over two days, Sept. 5 and Sept. 6, while the Emmys will take place the following weekend on Sept. 12.
Production Timeline and the Road Ahead for Season Two
While awards season brings a unique mixed bag of international rules and domestic recognition, the broader franchise continues moving forward at a rapid pace. Crave renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season early into the show’s first season run, and HBO Max has confirmed it will continue to air the series. Storrie is slated to return to the show this summer to shoot the second season, which is aiming for a spring 2027 release.
The upcoming season will be based on the next installment of Shane and Ilya’s story in Reid’s novels, The Long Game, along with the fifth book in the series, Role Model. As the creative team prepares to return to the set, the project’s stars balance busy schedules that already include luxury brand ambassadorships with Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co., alongside upcoming film and television projects such as the A24 comedy Peaked and a multi-episode arc on Criminal Minds Evolution.
