The Hudson Williams-Starring 'Yaga' Is a Feminist Take on Iconic Folklore: Here's How to Watch
Our take
The anticipation surrounding Hudson Williams’ return to screens has reached a fever pitch, and while *Heated Rivalry* season 2 remains a coveted prize for hockey-romance aficionados, the arrival of *Yaga* offers a compelling, and perhaps surprisingly relevant, distraction. The fervor surrounding Williams, fueled by his undeniable chemistry with Connor Storrie, is evident—fans have been eagerly awaiting his next project since December 2025 BookTok Boyfriend Belmont Cameli Talks Off Campus Season 2, His Current Obsessions, and the Secret to His Signature Curls. And the fact that *Yaga*, a feminist reimagining of Slavic folklore, is stepping into that space, offering a different kind of narrative pull, speaks to a broader shift in audience appetite. The continued success of titles like *Off Campus*, which further solidifies the power of the BookTok effect BookTok Boyfriend Belmont Cameli Talks Off Campus Season 2, His Current Obsessions, and the Secret to His Signature Curls, demonstrates the voracious desire for romantic narratives, but increasingly, audiences are seeking those narratives with nuance and intentionality.
*Yaga’s* approach to familiar folklore—specifically, the Baba Yaga archetype—is what truly sets it apart. Rather than relying on the trope of the menacing, child-eating witch, the series promises a feminist lens, exploring themes of female power, resilience, and agency within a traditionally patriarchal framework. This isn't simply about swapping out the villain; it's about reframing the narrative entirely, giving voice to perspectives often silenced or demonized by classic storytelling. The appeal for audiences extends beyond the romantic space, tapping into a cultural desire for stories that challenge established norms and offer fresh perspectives. And with Hudson Williams at the helm, it’s a calculated move—leveraging his existing fanbase while simultaneously positioning him in a project that demonstrates artistic range and a willingness to engage with more complex themes. It's a subtle but significant shift away from the purely romantic, hinting at a broader evolution in his on-screen persona. The reception to *Yaga* could very well redefine expectations for actors known primarily within the romance genre, proving that fans are eager to support performers who embrace multifaceted roles.
The broader significance of *Yaga* extends beyond its immediate appeal as a temporary respite from the wait for *Heated Rivalry* season 2. It represents a growing trend of re-examining classic narratives through contemporary lenses, particularly those that center marginalized voices. This kind of revisionist storytelling isn't just about updating old tales; it’s about excavating hidden histories and challenging ingrained biases. The success of this approach—and *Yaga* has the potential for significant success given Williams' existing following—could pave the way for a flood of similar projects, further diversifying the landscape of romantic and fantasy narratives. The demand for stories that reflect a wider range of experiences and perspectives is undeniable, and projects like *Yaga* are answering that call, demonstrating that audiences are ready for stories that are both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. It's a move that reflects a maturing audience—one that values depth and complexity alongside the familiar comfort of a well-told story.
Ultimately, *Yaga*’s success hinges not just on Hudson Williams' star power, but on its ability to deliver on its promise of a genuinely compelling and feminist reimagining of folklore. The initial buzz is certainly promising, but the true test will lie in how the series resonates with audiences beyond the hockey-romance sphere. The question remains: will *Yaga* carve out its own space as a cultural touchstone, or will it merely serve as a fleeting distraction until the return of *Heated Rivalry*? Only time will tell, but the groundwork has been laid for something potentially significant—a quiet revolution in storytelling, driven by a desire for authenticity and a renewed appreciation for the power of myth.
Ever since December 2025, hockey-romance fans have been waiting with bated breath for Hudson Williams to return to their TV screens. While his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie quickly made his way to Saturday Night Live (and picked up an Emmy nomination!), Williams chose to team back up with Crave, the Canadian streamer behind the Game Changers adaptation, for another steamy drama.
Created by playwright Kat Sandler and based on her play of the same name, Williams' next project, Yaga, is a contemporary mystery-thriller and feminist retelling of the witch Baba Yaga from Slavic folklore. When the young heir to a fishery (Williams) goes missing, a private investigator gets wrapped up in an investigation involving "a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic," per the plot description.
"Yaga began as a play with a cast of three in a 200-seat theater, reimagining the myth of Baba Yaga through a modern lens with a genre mashup of mystery and myth," Sandler teased to Entertainment Weekly. "It has since evolved into television as a collision of folklore, fairy tale, noir thriller, police procedural, horror, and feminist fantasy, while continuing to ask the question: What makes a witch?"
Now that Crave has begun teasing new details ahead of a fall release, read on for everything to know about Yaga, including how to watch the highly-anticipated series in the U.S.
When does 'Yaga' come out?
Crave and AMC+ have confirmed that Yaga is set to arrive on streaming in October 2026. The streamers have yet to confirm an official release date, but it's expected that the eight-part series will release weekly (as the fellow Crave series Heated Rivalry did).
Where can you watch 'Yaga' in the U.S.?
For American fans, Crave has confirmed that Yaga will be available to stream in the U.S. via AMC+ this October. It's currently unknown whether or not the series will release concurrently on Crave in Canada and AMC+ in the U.S.
For viewers new to AMC+, the streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, after which a subscription starts at $8 a month with ads or $11 a month without adds. Viewers can also add AMC+ as a channel on Prime Video for the same rates after a seven-day trial. (People who subscribe to AMC+ also get access to the horror streamer Shudder and the indie-focused Sundance Now.)
Or, if you've been meaning to rewatch Heated Rivalry or check out Jacob Tierney's Letterkenny or Shoresy, Yaga will also be available to stream on Crave. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.
Who is in the cast of 'Yaga?'
In addition to Williams, the Crave crime-thriller has an exciting leading cast. Carrie-Anne Moss (of The Matrix, Memento, and Jessica Jones fame) stars alongside the actor as Katherine, a "charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men," per the description. Moss has already teased that her and Williams' characters get physical in the series.
"I got to make out with him, so that’s lovely," Moss said, pointing to Williams, during the show's upfront presentation in June 2026. "He was super respectful. He was so respectful to my personal space. This guy is, like, a serious gentleman."
Rounding out the lead cast are Noah Reid (Schitt's Creek, The Vampire Lestat) as Rapp, the out-of-town P.I. looking into the disappearance, and Clark Backo (Letterkenny, The Changeling) as Carson, an "apprehensive" local detective. According to EW, another notable cast member is Sheila McCarthy (The Miniature Wife) as Olena Yaha, "a cheeky and wise local woman, originally from Ukraine, who has a soft spot for younger men, vodka, and hallucinogenics."
Is there a 'Yaga' trailer?
Crave released the first teaser for Yaga at this year's Comic-Con, previewing the spooky, steamy series. The clip is full of interesting moments, from Williams and Moss's characters sharing intimate moments, from witchy moments involving ritualistic icons and chickens, to a shot of Williams's character smiling and holding a chicken while wearing only a midsummer headdress. Thankfully, some narration also gives viewers a primer on the titular myth.
"There's versions of her all over the world. Sometimes she's an ugly old witch who lives in a disappearing hut on chicken feet. Sometimes she's a wise woman, an enchantress, a healer. Sometimes she helps a hero on his quest," Moss's character, Katherine, says. "Sometimes she tests him. Sometimes she kills him. Sometimes she eats him. Sometimes she fucks him. But she always has a name."
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience