Hudson Williams Discusses Tattoos and Sex Scenes on The Assembly

Hudson Williams addressed his viral remarks about Victoria, his relationship with co-star Connor Storrie, and his background during an appearance on The Assembly on CBC television.

The Assembly premiere on CBC Television

Hudson Williams appeared on the first episode of Season 2 of The Assembly, which aired on CBC television and is streaming on Gem. The show features a roomful of autistic and neurodivergent interviewers who follow a strict rule: no subjects are out of bounds and no questions are off the table. When invited to face the panel, Williams said he was strapped in with his knees bent. The actor rose to fame playing Shane Hollander, a world-class hockey player on the spectrum, in Heated Rivalry. Williams shares a personal connection to the role, as his own father is on the autism spectrum.

Actor Honors Late Dog with Shoulder Tattoo

At the start of the episode, Williams gave the interviewers a tour of his tattoos, explaining that several were done by his tattoo-artist girlfriend, Katelyn Larson. He pointed out cherries above his left elbow and the outline of a set of teeth higher up on his shoulder. The shoulder tattoo depicts the underbite of his late dog, Jesse Skywalker Williams, who died at 17 years old. Williams told the panel that whenever the dog looked at him, he had a little underbite smile.

Williams Addresses Dynamic with Co-Star Connor Storrie

During the Q&A session, an interviewer named Nate asked Williams if he ever felt something for his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie that was more than friendship. Williams described Storrie as a platonic soulmate who is completely in love with him, while clarifying that those feelings will never become romantic, even after ten hours of cuddling. Williams joked that he wishes Storrie could follow him everywhere, including the shower, to help him reach his back with a loofah. The exchange prompted another interviewer to share that he also has a close male best friend named Colin, to which Williams replied that having that kind of bond is lovely and important.

Friends and Family Screening for Intimate Scenes

Williams discussed filming the steamy sex scenes in Heated Rivalry, stating he felt no worry about his family and friends watching them. He hosted a screening of the first episode for about a dozen friends and his mother, telling his mom to cover her eyes whenever an intimate scene approached. His friends brought party horns to blow during provocative moments, signaling to his mother when it was safe to uncover her eyes. Williams also mentioned getting goosebumps when some of the interviewers performed an a cappella version of All the Things She Said by t.A.T.u., which is featured on the show’s soundtrack.

Context Behind the Victoria Controversy

An interviewer named Margot asked Williams about comments he made while filming Yaga in March, where he described Victoria as dead as f**k and full of old people, remarks that sparked an online debate. Williams explained that the quote was taken out of context. He stated that he was actually expressing how much he loved the show and his filming experience, using those descriptive adjectives to explain why he loved it. He added that he never meant the term old people as an insult, noting it is all part of learning how to navigate life in the public eye.

Cultural Background Shapes Approach to Managing ADHD

An interviewer named Julia asked Williams how his Korean values have shaped his experience of having ADHD. Williams described struggling to focus in class for a long time and explained that his cultural background led him to ignore symptoms or pretend they do not exist. He noted that Asian culture often leans toward demanding more discipline, which can sometimes look like denying a sensitive connection and kindness to oneself. While he has taken medication for ADHD in the past with his mother’s reluctance, he considered trying it again recently, only to hear his internal Korean mindset telling him to just work harder and focus instead.

Common Questions About Hudson Williams on The Assembly