The arrival of Hudson Williams in Toronto on Thursday transformed King Street into a festive scene.
Fans eagerly pulled out their phones to capture the moment, creating a frenzy. There were numerous posters and selfies, as some devoted admirers braved the elements for as long as 12 hours in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Heated Rivalry actor and securing a ticket to his film debut.
Williams was in the city for a unique discussion event and the launch of his latest work, Yaga, a mystery series steeped in Slavic folklore that will begin streaming in October.
His fans are in for a treat, as he portrays not just one, but two characters in the series.
Yaga, a new series from Crave, stars Hudson Williams and an all-Canadian cast. It’s based on Kat Sandler’s award-winning play, and the first two episodes premiered at TIFF on Thursday.
Filmed earlier this year on Vancouver Island, Yaga tells the story of a private investigator who is summoned to a quaint coastal town to locate a young heir missing from a wealthy fishing family, only to unravel a sinister network of secrets.
The show features a talented cast of Canadian actors, including Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Clark Backo (Letterkenny), Sheila McCarthy, and the original Anne of Green Gables star, Megan Follows.
CBC News was present on the red carpet at the world premiere of the film at TIFF, and while Williams did not address the press, his co-star was asked for any words of wisdom she might have for him.
Moss provided a straightforward response: “He doesn’t need it. He’s doing great.”
Cast members of Yaga walk the red carpet for its Toronto International Film Festival premiere at the TIFF Lightbox theatre on Thursday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
This sentiment set the tone for the entire evening. While there was significant excitement surrounding Hudson, there was also a profound pride in the Canadian talent contributing to the project.
Reid, who plays the private investigator, expressed his thoughts on the creative atmosphere, noting a refreshing change from his character Patrick on Schitt’s Creek.
“There’s a humility to the Canadian creative spirit that isn’t driven by ego,” he shared with CBC News.
“Everyone aims to come in, deliver their best work, support one another, and compete in a way that enhances the final product.”
Carrie-Anne Moss, left, and Hudson Williams walk the red carpet for Yaga’s Toronto International Film Festival premiere at the TIFF Lightbox theatre on Thursday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
Backo, who portrays a local detective alongside Reid, concurred, stating that the appreciation for Canadian productions is “everything.”
“I feel like people are placing more faith in Canadian shows than they did in the past,” she remarked during her conversation with CBC News.
Yaga originated from a play crafted by Kat Sandler for Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre in 2019.
When asked about her involvement in a project that is so distinctly Canadian, Follows expressed, “It’s about time.”
“Consider the talent, the stories, and how unique, interesting, diverse, and complex they are,” she noted, highlighting the all-Canadian ensemble of Yaga and the influx of productions emerging from the nation.
“We can’t just be a service industry. We must create our own original works across various formats, and that’s what makes this so exciting.”
Moss completes the Canadian cast, portraying a seductive professor entwined in the mystery. Sandler reached out to her directly with an irresistible offer.
“Being invited to participate is, first and foremost, a privilege. You feel compelled to say, ‘Alright, I’ll consider this.’ I loved the material, so it was an effortless decision.”
Yaga is set to debut on Crave next month.
