Carrie-Anne Moss Opens Up About On-Screen Chemistry With Hudson Williams in New Series Yaga: “He’s a Real Gentleman”

Carrie-Anne Moss has never been shy about complex roles, but her latest project has brought a lighter, more playful side of the acclaimed actress into the spotlight.

At Bell Media’s annual upfront presentation in Toronto, Moss took the stage alongside her castmates to promote the upcoming supernatural drama Yaga, a bold new Crave series blending dark mythology, romance, and psychological tension. While discussing the show’s themes and characters, she unexpectedly revealed one of the most enjoyable aspects of filming — her on-screen chemistry with rising star Hudson Williams.

With a smile and a candid tone, Moss joked about one particular element of their shared scenes.

“I actually got to make out with him, so that was lovely,” she said, gesturing toward Williams during the presentation, prompting laughter from the audience.

The comment immediately drew attention, not only for its humor but also for the warmth in which she spoke about her younger co-star.

Moss quickly clarified that the experience was entirely professional and comfortable, emphasizing Williams’ respectful demeanor during filming.

“He was incredibly considerate,” she explained. “Very aware of personal boundaries, very respectful of space. Honestly, he’s just a really genuine gentleman.”

Her remarks were met with applause from the audience, reinforcing the positive working dynamic that appears to define the cast of Yaga.

The series itself marks a significant tonal departure from Moss’s earlier work, including her iconic role in The Matrix franchise. Yaga is based on Kat Sandler’s 2019 stage play and offers a modern reinterpretation of the Slavic folklore figure Baba Yaga, reimagined through a contemporary psychological lens.

In this adaptation, Moss plays Katherine, a university professor whose reputation is shaped by her unconventional relationships with younger men and her intellectual but emotionally guarded personality.

Her character becomes entangled in a mysterious unfolding narrative when she encounters Henry Park, played by Hudson Williams, a missing heir connected to a powerful and secretive fishing empire.

As the story develops, themes of identity, power, and myth begin to intertwine with personal desire and buried secrets.

The ensemble cast also includes Noah Reid as Rapp, a private investigator drawn into the case, and Clark Backo as Carson, a determined local detective navigating the town’s hidden truths.

Series creator Kat Sandler serves as both writer and showrunner, expanding her original theatrical vision into a serialized format set in a remote coastal community filled with atmospheric tension and emotional complexity.

While Moss focused on Yaga during the event, Williams also used the platform to discuss another project that has significantly boosted his profile: the hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry.

The Crave-produced show, which became a viral sensation after its debut in late 2025, has helped establish Williams as one of Canada’s fastest-rising young actors. Its combination of sports drama and emotional storytelling attracted a global fanbase, particularly among streaming audiences drawn to character-driven romance narratives.

Williams confirmed that production on the show’s second season is scheduled to begin later this summer. The series will continue its partnership with HBO Max for U.S. distribution, with a planned release window in spring 2027.

Industry insiders suggest that anticipation for the new season is already extremely high, fueled by the success of its first installment and the growing popularity of its lead cast.

At the same Bell Media event, Williams was also recently recognized for his performance as Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry, earning the award for Best Lead Performance in a Drama Series at the Canadian Screen Awards.

The series itself dominated the ceremony, securing 16 awards in total, including the prestigious Best Drama Series honor — a rare sweep that cemented its status as one of the most successful Canadian productions in recent years.

Behind the scenes, colleagues describe Williams as both grounded and professional despite his rapidly rising fame.

Moss’s comments at the presentation reinforced that impression, highlighting not just his performance ability but also his conduct on set.

According to those familiar with production, the filming of Yaga involved emotionally intense scenes that required a high level of trust between actors. The chemistry between Moss and Williams, while part of the narrative, also reflected a collaborative working environment built on mutual respect.

To add further context during the event, Moss reportedly shared a light anecdote about early rehearsals, where both actors took time to carefully choreograph intimate scenes to ensure comfort and authenticity. Crew members noted that Williams was consistently attentive to direction and quick to check in with scene partners, contributing to a professional and supportive atmosphere on set.

These behind-the-scenes dynamics appear to have translated into strong on-screen performances, with early previews of Yaga already generating interest for its atmospheric storytelling and character-driven tension.

Critics who attended early screenings have described the series as a “darkly elegant blend of folklore and modern psychology,” noting Moss’s commanding presence and Williams’s breakout performance as key highlights.

For Moss, Yaga represents another evolution in a career defined by reinvention. Known for choosing projects that challenge her creatively, she has described the series in earlier interviews as “unpredictable, layered, and emotionally unusual.”

Her collaboration with Williams adds a generational dynamic to the production — pairing an established Hollywood figure with one of Canada’s most talked-about new talents.

That contrast, according to producers, is part of what makes the series compelling.

It allows the story to explore themes of power imbalance, attraction, and trust through both narrative structure and performance chemistry.

As anticipation builds for Yaga’s release in the U.S. later this year on AMC+, both Moss and Williams continue to draw attention for their individual trajectories as well as their shared work.

For Williams in particular, the momentum from Heated Rivalry and his award-winning performance suggests a career rapidly moving into international recognition.

For Moss, the project reinforces her reputation as an actor unafraid to explore unconventional roles and complex storytelling environments.

And for audiences, Yaga promises a blend of myth, mystery, and emotional intensity — brought to life by a cast whose off-screen camaraderie appears just as engaging as the drama unfolding on screen.