Haley Lu Richardson’s Hilarious NSFW ‘Heated Rivalry’ Reaction Has Emilia Clarke Laughing Out Loud
Haley Lu Richardson got everyone laughing with her brutally honest take on the popular hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, and even Emilia Clarke couldn’t contain herself. The two actresses spoke with Entertainment Tonight to promote their new Peacock series PONIES, and naturally, the conversation turned to the hit show that has been dominating social media feeds.
Haley Lu didn’t hold back when discussing the show’s star, Connor Storrie, and the explicit nature of the series. Make sure everything is charged… I’m referring to vib****, she joked. Emilia Clarke gasped in response, saying, Oh my god. What you said… I’m not going to say on TV.
Haley Lu replied with complete candor, asking, What did I say? That my cli**** still hurts? It does! Still to this day. A week later. The two continued teasing each other throughout the interview, with Haley Lu further praising Storrie’s physique, calling him the best bottom in the industry. Emilia jokingly added, She showed me a screengrab of Connor’s bottom and it looks wonderful.
@entertainmenttonight We fear we're gonna be thinking about 'Ponies' co-stars Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke yapping about 'Heated Rivalry' for days. 😭 #haleylurichardson #emiliaclarke #ponies #heatedrivalry ♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight
Heated Rivalry, created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney for Crave, is based on Rachel Reid’s beloved Game Changers novels. The show follows two rival hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, whose intense on-ice competition masks a secret, high-stakes romance.
The series premiered at the Image+Nation LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Montreal in November before becoming a massive streaming hit. Critics have praised the show for its authentic writing and the undeniable chemistry between the leads, helping it become Crave’s most-watched original series to date.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a near-perfect 99% positive score, with many calling it a bona fide winner for the queer romance genre. Due to the explosive popularity and critical acclaim, the series was officially renewed for a second season in December.
Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke have been busy on their own promotional tour for PONIES, a 1970s-set spy thriller that premiered on Peacock on January 15. The series stars the duo as two widows in Moscow who become unlikely CIA operatives—or “persons of no interest”—after their husbands are killed under mysterious circumstances.
Aside from her work in PONIES, Richardson recently published her first collection of poetry, I’m Sad and Horny, in November 2025. She is also set to star in the upcoming film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, an action-comedy where she plays a woman from the future on a mission to save the world.
Emilia Clarke has also moved into a new chapter of her career as an executive producer on PONIES, marking a successful departure from her iconic role in Game Thrones. While she recently recovered from a minor rib injury sustained during the show’s demanding filming schedule, she has been active on the New York City red carpet circuit celebrating the show’s record-breaking debut.
The duo’s real-life friendship has been a highlight of their press tour, with Richardson even teaching Clarke how to twerk during their six months filming in Budapest. Between their hit new series and their hilariously unfiltered interviews, both actresses are currently enjoying a major career high in early 2026.
With a second season of Heated Rivalry on the way and PONIES currently trending on streaming charts, fans have plenty of content to keep them occupied. The hilarious rapport between Clarke and Richardson only proves that their on-screen partnership is just as strong as their off-screen bond.
What do you think about Haley Lu Richardson’s unfiltered reaction to Heated Rivalry and will you be binging her and Emilia’s new spy thriller on Peacock? Share your thoughts in the comments.
