NYCC 2026: How ‘Yaga’ Got Hudson Williams During Peak ‘Heated Rivalry’ Era

Heated Rivalries star Hudson Williams was easier to sign to the new AMC+ show Yaga than many may have anticipated.

Showrunner, writer, and executive producer Kat Sandler, executive producer Mackenzie Donaldson, and cast member Carrie-Anne Moss sat down to discuss the upcoming series premiere during the AMC panel at New York Comic Con on Friday, October 9, teasing that the show is not what it seems.

Though Williams wasn’t able to make it to New York Comic Con this year, Sandler shared just how Yaga was able to snag him, explaining, “It was after the blow-up, at the cresting of the blow-up. I remember texting, and he was like, ‘Sorry, it’s really bumpy in Italy,’ and I was like, ‘Are you on the way to carry the torch for the Olympics?’”

“But I think it was in February that we cast him, and it had been suggested that we offer him one of these parts; the parts had always been split into two, and we wanted them to be lookalikes, but I said why not offer him both because it’s a bit more of a fun challenge for him to get to play,” Sandler added about the decision for Hudson to play two separate roles in the series: Henry, who is missing, and his best friend Logan, who acts as a key suspect.

In the clip above, we learn that Detective Rapp, played by Noah Reid, an outsider detective called in specifically to help with Henry’s case, may be more violent than it seems.

“I wrote him another letter, and I made another meeting, and he signed on.” Donaldson added, “Oh, and by the way, that meeting was the day before he carried the torch in Italy.”

What ‘Yaga’ Play Reveals About Hudson Williams’ Two Characters

In the clip below, Rapp attempts to get under Katherine’s (Moss) skin.

Moss had kind words to share about working with Reid, sharing that “He made me laugh harder than I’ve laughed in so long, and I feel I should pay him money for that. You know how when you laugh so deep you feel like you’ve healed ten years of pain? It was that kind of laugh. He’s that funny, and he did a great job with the character. He plays it so well and earnestly.” When voicing how it was working with Williams, Moss added, “It was really great. He’s lovely, and what more can I say? He’s talented.”

Yaga, Series Premiere, October 23, AMC+

Heated RivalryYagaCarrie-Anne MossHudson WilliamsKat SandlerNoah Reid