Heated Rivalry star reveals HUGE continuity error that bosses were left scrambling to fix at last minute after string of time jumps
A star of hit HBO Max drama Heated Rivalry has revealed a huge continuity error that bosses were left scrambling to fix at the last minute with a string of time jumps.
Hunky actor François Arnaud, who this week wowed fans of the show with his real age, opened up on the production team making last-minute changes to the season one finale while putting it all together in the editing room.
François, 40, spoke to SiriusXM’s Smith Sisters Live about his new role, which sees him play closeted gay hockey player Scott Hunter in the steamy drama.
Explaining that the story is largely based on the novel of the same same by Rachel Reid, the actor went on to reveal that there was one difference between page and screen for his character.
Character Scott, an American professional player and the captain of the New York Admirals, is in a relationship with Kip Grady, a fellow hockey player, in the novel.
François was asked by the radio show’s hosts about what happens between Scott and Kip behind-the-scenes of the main storyline, given it spans a number of years in the series, but just a few months in the book.
Heated Rivalry’s François Arnaud has revealed a HUGE continuity error that bosses were left scrambling to fix at the last minute with a string of time jumps
François, 40, spoke to SiriusXM’s Smith Sisters Live about his new role, which sees him play closeted gay hockey player Scott Hunter in the steamy drama (left)
The actor explained: ‘I’ve already spoiled that before, I’ll just say it again, even though [creator] Jacob [Tierney] will probably, you know, give me a slap on the wrist…
‘It’s because in the book, and also in the way that we shot it, there was a f**k up in the timeline. We shot it thinking it was six months…. and now it’s three years.
‘In episode six, the speech where I win the award, there was a line, I say, “Fear is a powerful thing, but this year I found the one thing that is more powerful”.
‘It couldn’t be “this year”, so we had to change it. I watched it and it works.’
It comes after viewers of the show were in shock after discovering the real age of hunky actor François Arnaud – who plays a much younger character in the hit series.
The series, which was first launched on HBO Max in Canada last November, finally hit screens in the UK this month as it was released on Sky and streaming service NOW.
The series unravels the budding romance of the two closeted gay athletes who are competing against each other in a the hyper-masculine world of an ice hockey league.
Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, are at the centre of the story, which is packed with saucy on-screen moments.
Explaining that the story is largely based on the novel of the same same by Rachel Reid, the actor went on to reveal that there was one difference between page and screen for his character
The main plot between Shane and Ilya, played by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, follows the hockey players and lovers through their romance
The drama has soared to the top of must-watch charts since its launch
Canadian star François portrays another closeted hockey player, Scott Hunter, an American professional player and the captain of the New York Admirals.
His storyline parallels the main plot between Shane and Ilya, showcasing his own journey of coming out and finding love in the masculine hockey culture.
And while his character is in his mid-twenties, fans of the series have been shocked to discover that François is actually 40.
The actor has been in the industry since 2011, when he starred in his break out role in American historical TV drama The Borgias – which aired on Channel 4 in the UK – acting as the ambitious son of the Pope.
He went on to have a recurring role in NBC thriller series Blindspot, supernatural drama Midnight, Texas, and made a guest appearance on Schitt’s Creek.
Since then, he’s also been spotted in Paramount+ series Yellowjackets, the revival of sci-fi series Quantum Leap, and thriller Plan B, which is available on Apple TV.
After looking him up online following his latest role, viewers were shocked to discover the Canadian hunk is much older than his on-screen character.
It comes after the truth about Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie’s (left) past was disclosed by his blushing grandma
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one penned: ‘No way Francois Arnaud is 40 years old… he looks 30 years old MAX. I need his skincare routine.’
A second chimed in: ‘Tfym François Arnaud is 40. Girl, I thought he was like 31. See how you age when you’re bisexual and unproblematic.’
A third wrote: ‘What do you mean François is 40 years? What,’ as another viewer agreed: ‘No f**king way Francois is 40 like what the f**k are they feeding him thats a man in his 20s.’
‘I still don’t believe Francois is 40 sorry but that man is lying,’ someone else said.
W=hile a sixth penned: ‘How is François Arnaud 40, he’s so baby? Must be what happens when you’re unproblematic.’
Heated Rivalry is available to stream in the UK on Sky and NOW
