‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Connor Storrie Introduces New Danger in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’

Few casting choices in recent memory are as perfectly timed as Connor Storrie’s guest appearance on ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’. The Texas-born actor spent years working through minor roles and restaurant jobs in Los Angeles before his portrayal of Ilya Rozanov in the queer hockey romance ‘Heated Rivalry’ catapulted his career almost overnight.

When Crave released the first official trailer for ‘Heated Rivalry’, Storrie had around 10,000 followers on Instagram. Just 72 hours after the premiere, that number surged dramatically, alongside his co-star Hudson Williams. Such recognition often opens doors, and in Storrie’s case, one of those doors had already been unlocked before he became a household name.

The timing of his casting in ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ is indeed remarkable. Storrie filmed his guest role in the Paramount+ sequel series prior to ‘Heated Rivalry’ making him widely recognized, although the show would later become a defining hit for both actors. The creative team behind ‘Evolution’ recognized his talent well before the rest of the world did, and the first look images shared by Vulture reveal the intriguing shift fans have been eager to see.

Vulture exclusively unveiled the first look photos of Storrie as Lance Kingston, the character he portrays across a four-episode arc starting June 11 on Paramount+. Kingston appears in the season trailer during an interrogation scene with Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, played by A.J. Cook, and in a separate, more unsettling shot that shows the character screaming while restrained. Whether Kingston is a suspect, a victim, or something more complex remains deliberately vague, which is a hallmark of this franchise.

Showrunner Erica Messer shared with TV Insider that Storrie was initially booked for just one episode, specifically the fourth, directed by series star Adam Rodriguez. His performance was so compelling that the decision was made to significantly expand his role.

Rodriguez explained his rationale for casting Storrie to TV Insider, stating that the role required “somebody that seemed dangerous on the surface, but that there was some vulnerability to,” and that Storrie was immediately his first and only choice.

Season 19 of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ premiered on May 28 with a two-episode launch, and while Storrie did not appear in those initial episodes, his four-episode arc begins with episode four on June 11. The season consists of ten episodes in total, with the finale set for July 23, following the BAU as they tackle a new, calculated threat known as “The Fan,” a character whose rise is linked to the growing notoriety of Elias Voit.

For fans of ‘Heated Rivalry’ stepping into ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ for the first time, the transition from romantic sports drama to psychological thriller is significant. However, that is precisely the intention. Storrie has already demonstrated his ability to convince audiences he is someone entirely different, from a Russian-accented hockey player to whatever Kingston ultimately reveals himself to be. His guest arc joins a talented ensemble that includes Clark Gregg, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jeri Ryan, Cress Williams, and Kofi Siriboe, among others.

Whether Kingston is orchestrating events, fleeing from them, or something in between, the intrigue surrounding Storrie’s debut in this universe is palpable. What are your thoughts on Lance Kingston so far? Do you view him as more of a victim or a threat?