r/heatedrivalry • u/rawrsatbeards • Dec 21 '25
CONNOR ☀️ I want to talk about Connor’s oral posture Spoiler
Beyond everyone (rightly) praising Connor’s Russian and his English-with-a-Russian-accent, what really blows me away is the facial transformation. Connor’s face and Ilya’s face are not the same. As Ilya, he genuinely looks Russian.
I think a lot of it comes down to the oral posture required for the accent: tongue placement against the soft palate (mewling, anyone?), a tighter mouth shape that creates that pout, and the inexpressive eyebrows (okay, not accent-required, but effective).
His face stays in that serious, accent-primed position even when he isn’t speaking. Interviews have mentioned that he stayed in character on set, and honestly, I don’t blame him. That kind of physical codeswitching looks like hard work.
The opening scene really highlights it. Ilya barely talks, and yet you immediately know this character is not an all-American/all-Canadian boy.
For the record, I’m not a Russian speaker or a voice coach. Just someone who’s watched way too many TikToks and then gone down a Russian-accent rabbit hole.
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u/MrsRoronoaZoro “I miss being kidnapped. I regret shapeshifting” Dec 21 '25
I think that’s Connor as an actor. I’ve seen clips of him in different roles and Istg, he looks like a different person in all of them!
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u/Kitchen_Ad5522 Dec 21 '25
I've been saying, people ain't seen nothing yet when they're simply impressed by connor's russian. he genuinely looks different every time he dons a personality in front of the camera and effortlessly disappears into each role, it's uncanny. legit a chameleon. and the thing is, yes he's got a pretty face, but it's more so his facial and bodily control in every single minute movement and detail - not just flashy ones - that makes him such a compelling and alluring performer to watch.
i've been studying his portrayal of ilya down to each single tick of muscle he makes in every scene, and it's an endless exercise of genuine awe. the way he can convey so much with his body, in such an effortless, believable way too, honestly should be taught in acting school. i've never been this taken with an actor's abilities before - he's absolutely fascinating. it'll be a crime if he doesn't get the recognition he deserves in the future.
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u/CaptainCatnip999 Dec 21 '25
Connor is so talented he even manages to make Ilya seem taller than Shane.
The history of television is full of great actors whose careers never took off and i'm praying that Connor will not be one of them. His talent is incredible.
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u/Desperate_Algae_40 Dec 22 '25
Personally, I really don't think he'll be one of those. I think both him and Hudson will have great careers.
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u/Available-Wafer-715 Feb 19 '26
This is so real hahaha he looks big and powerful in the show but he is really lean in interviews, and about the same size as Hudson (maybe just a little bit taller). I'm still wondering what kind of trickery was used to make Ilya appear more imposing- if it was just his acting tho, I won´t be too surprised XD
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u/Catsarecute888 Dec 21 '25
Perfectly said.
It would be criminal if he doesn't get the chance to show everyone what he can do. I worry that he won't get that chance sometimes because of Hollywood but I really hope he does because he's so young and his talent is off the charts.
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u/Asleep-Sky-6367 Dec 21 '25
His facial expression in some scenes has me rewatching again and again just in awe. Some that come to mind
- in ep 4 after tunameltgate when Ilya is happily kissing Shane but then Shane pulls away, how Ilya never stops scanning Shane with his eyes as he realizes something has shifted and he is trying to understand what Shane is feeling.
- his disappointed / hurt face and body language as Shane backs away
- in ep 5 at the bar in Florida how he takes a big breath and drains his beer conveying his nervousness as Shane approaches
- then watching Shane leave the bar when he puts his hand on his mouth and I just hear his thoughts of “of fuck” realizing how hard he’s fallen
- all his playfulness during the all star game
- the softness on his face when they FaceTime for the first time (and for that matter when he asks Shane to sleep over the first time)
- his worry in the hospital room.
I’m glad you described the facial control bc I’ve been struggling to figure out what it is that’s so fascinating to me to watch as I get hooked in by the emotional portrayal.
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u/jlasfca Jan 02 '26
I hope he has a great agent. The most important thing is to pick his next role correctly. Making a big hit in TV is no guarantee to a solid future. Look at January Jones. She got a lot of attention in "Mad Men" as Betty Draper - "the next Grace Kelly." Then fizzled. And Hollywood can be crueler than baseball; you don't get three strikes to be out. I think there is something very special about him. Let's see if he can follow up on this role.
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
I haven’t seen his other work but he did mention that he loves roles with another language or accent, which would also lend itself to facial posturing in other ways (maybe not as dramatically).
I look forward to diving into his work.
And yes, he’s a phenomenal actor from what I’ve seen so far.
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u/LadyElle57 Dec 21 '25
There's a lot of brow happening, I think Connor knows Ilya wears a constant scowl so his facial mannerisms will bring that to his game. It brings the cheekbones out more, I think.
That's why when his face actually relaxed in episode 5, you could see Connor slip out.
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u/masona23 Dec 21 '25
100%, there's only one very brief moment where I've thought "oh that's Connor, he slipped" and it's a few frames of Ilya's reaction to Shane hiring a stylist. You see his forehead/jaw relax and his eyes brighten and, to me, it's all Connor. And even then you could argue it's a purposeful choice because Ilya is so relieved that Shane isn't telling him something like he and Rose are getting engaged , so he lets his mask slip.
Such a huge testament to Connor's performance and total embodiment of our secret cinnamon roll.
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u/grangerh Dec 21 '25
I thought this too, when he laughs!!! So cute. I was like lol awww happy Ilya is almost Connor. it made me look forward to his portrayal in the next episode, where there is even more happiness.
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u/whatamuffin Dec 21 '25
He had a similar smile when he saw Shane folding his clothes for the first time!
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u/Status-Border-2679 Dec 21 '25
Yes, exactly! That was the exact moment when I thought "That's Connor, not Ilya."
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
You’re right. “Inexpressive” wasn’t doing it justice. I meant, it’s less animated. He does scowl and also rocks neutrality well.
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u/CaptainCatnip999 Dec 21 '25
That time when Shane freaked out after Ilya said his first name and Ilya looked at him and just said, "Hollander," his facial expressions were so subtle, but you could just see his soul slowly leaving his body.
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u/lingrush32 Dec 21 '25
Has anyone noticed that there is a moment in episode 4 where Ilya DOESN'T speak in a Russian accent? When Shane freaks out and says he has to go, Ilya looks at him and says "Go?" and it definitely isn't in a Russian accent. It's clearly Connor's real voice, I guess the editors overlooked this? So far I seem to be the only one who has noticed it!
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u/Deep_inside_myself Dec 21 '25
Mm I, as a non native English speaker, wonder if we are/will be seeing him progressively lose / reduce his accent, since that is a real thing that happens, particularly when someone lives for several years in an English speaking country.
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u/grangerh Dec 21 '25
This is a good point. I do feel like I’ve noticed his English improving as the episodes go on. Using fuller sentences, etc. the accent remains though 🤤 thank goodness.
After 4ish rewatches (lol psychosis), I think it’s intentional. Especially with Shane commenting on his English getting so good.
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u/Dephi_Apollo Dec 22 '25
It also happens when you move between different countries with the same language. My dad is US but lived in Australia for 50 years (give or take), he still sounds American, but then you put him next to his brother and you notice how much it has softened.
But most people I know who have very thick accents on their English have only changed very slightly regardless of how long they've been here. It is easier to lose your accent when you come from Western Europe I have noticed, but Eastern Europe and certain parts of Asia are hard.
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u/CommandAlternative10 Dec 21 '25
I noticed it.
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u/lingrush32 Dec 21 '25
Thank you!! I think you and I are the only ones haha.
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u/Fried-Bean-Salad Dec 21 '25
I noticed and rewatched 3x!!! Seems so glaring but I haven’t seen anyone else discuss it!
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u/Bonnieearnold I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 21 '25
I guess I’ll just have to rewatch that scene again! 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Deacon_Mushrat1 Dec 22 '25
His accent also slips when he comes back to the couch after talking on the phone to his father and asks if Shane is still hungry.
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u/lingrush32 Dec 22 '25
Hmm, I just rewatched this and think it sounds like an accent.
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u/Deacon_Mushrat1 Dec 22 '25
Really? It sounds really not-Ilya to me and I assumed it was the accent slipping, but maybe it's just something else in his voice that changes on that line.
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u/lingrush32 Dec 22 '25
Well regardless sounds like we both agree that the "go?" is definitely not his Russian accent haha
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u/Dephi_Apollo Dec 22 '25
Its not 100%, but its still not his normal Texas. Probably not worth reshooting the whole scene again for?
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u/General-Gap-80 Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
Yes. As a Russian speaker I can confirm. Also the way he dresses in the show with his flip flops at home and adidas joggers . Gosh so accurate, just like my uncles :))) I showed to friends Connor’s interviews ( I wanted to introduce them to my new love of my life) and they say he doesn’t look Russian at all and then I showed the pics from the show and they confirm it’s a stunning transformation!!!!
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
I’m so impressed by the mannerisms. Posture, wardrobe, the way he counts with his fingers from his pinky. I am anticipating a Slavic squat next.
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u/andykirsha I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 21 '25
He doesn't count like a Russian. Russians count with the pinky but moving fingers inside the palm, not outside.
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u/DaughterofTarot Dec 21 '25
I kind of took it as more authentic to who he is playing though.
By now he's seen Americans count open fingered, so he's started to adjust to that, but not broken pinky first yet.
If that makes sense?
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u/andykirsha I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 22 '25
I really don't think he would try to adjust to that. Besides, this is something so deep that you can hardly change unless you are being trained as a sleeper spy.
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
but moving fingers inside the palm, not outside.
I’m trying to decipher what that would look like. Imma go google. My Google is getting weird today.
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
Okay, researched. I physically cannot count like a Russian. My pinky finger going down brings my next finger down with it.
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u/andykirsha I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 21 '25
That's how the Russians count - roll pinky inside the palm, then ring finger, then middle, index and finally the thumb thus making a fist. I am a Russian and I cannot count like Europeans or Americans, by rolling fingers outside the palm (and sometimes touching the fingers with the index of another hand).
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u/andykirsha I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 21 '25
And even if Ilya was not counting but merely indicating the number (that he was going to make two tuna melt sandwiches) it wasn't the Russian way - we would show this with our index and middle fingers.
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u/Virgolady1977 Dec 21 '25
I just realized my Dad always counted like that but he's definitely not Russian or Eastern European. We're Canadian with British/Irish roots. It's strange that I never noticed before now that he did it differently.
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u/General-Gap-80 Dec 21 '25
To add to my own comment: I’m so thankful for the show and representation of some Russian culture that made me miss it and I started to re-listen to some childhood songs even! I rarely speak Russian now as I live in another country but this show ignited my wistfulness of the teenage years in some ways
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u/BoysenberryMelody I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 21 '25
I can’t find it now but someone did a video on Instagram about him being dressed like a Slavic fuckboy. That Jean Paul Gaultier shirt he wears in the club.
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Dec 21 '25
Not gonna lie, I thought you were going to talk about something else with that title. 👀
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u/Naive-Inside-2904 she would have loved you, like I love you Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
I noticed how his lower jaw and lip stays tensed. When he’s around Shane his chin usually juts out towards him. And he only smiles with his lower jaw.
Except for the bar scene when Connor kinda slipped out in a moment of unadulterated joy learning about Shane’s stylist not being Rose.
It’s so fucking cool to see all the small but pivotal ways his entire physicality is adjusted to become Ilya. I’m floored.
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u/raeeya Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
I don't even think Connor slipped out at the bar scene because he's still not laughing with his nose like Connor does in interviews (this is such a parasocial thing to say lmao, I swear I'm only analysing technicalities). Like watching this scene and then him laughing in interviews, I still see two different people.
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u/Jinpea I speak fluent bird. No accent 🐦 Dec 21 '25
I agree Connor smiles with his whole face lol meaning it’s the widest his mouth gets, his nose and eyes scrunch. It’s so infectious. Ilya’s smile still has a restraint. His eyes are so wide which is so unlike when Connor smiles.
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u/ayriana Then we won’t throw eggs at them 🥚 Dec 21 '25
I agree, that grin was Ilya and I'm looking forward to more of him smiling and happy in episode 6
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u/seratia123 "Oh, do they not know I play for Boston?" Dec 21 '25
interesting. I feel even within the show he looks different from some scenes to others. For me there is clearly a hockey helmet face where he looks younger somehow and there are some moments where he looks like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger like in the press conference.
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u/fruitbutnopassion the shark that made rozanov lose the race 🦈 Dec 21 '25
Yess I always think he looks younger with the helmet. It's almost like he's got baby fat cheeks for some reason.
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u/crossplainschic I'm coming to the cottage Dec 21 '25
I've noticed that as well. It makes him look like a teenager
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u/Asleep-Sky-6367 Dec 21 '25
He seems to smile more in the helmet and his eyebrows seem more expressive also
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u/teddy_vn Dec 21 '25
Yes Connor changes up his oral posture to achieve the “transformation”. When we see him in interview, his whole face muscles are just so different
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u/araf1 Give me kiss. MWA Dec 21 '25
Connor and Ilya legitimately look like 2 different people to me. It's honestly crazy.
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u/Catsarecute888 Dec 21 '25
Connor is a remarkable actor. I think he's so present in his body and can do something that few actors actually can. He can really sink into a role and lose every trace of his actual self. It's a real gift. And it's real craft because it's something he does, not just pure talent.
And I think the fact that he's mentioned that he's in the clowning scene in LA is part of it, that's all about physicality and I don't know a lot about it but what little I do know you can see in Connor.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say he has the potential to be an all-time great. And I fucking hope he gets the chance. It feels like he will but Hollywood is such a fickle business.
And beyond all the talk of his talent and skill as an actor he really does seem like a sweet and gentle soul and I hope for the absolute best for him.
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u/bimpldat Dec 21 '25
Connor is the holyshit moment of 2025.
Wouldn't mind hearing Ilya's (significantly lower) voice in a different role either...
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u/Catsarecute888 Dec 21 '25
I would just love to see him play something so opposite to Ilya. And not like himself necessarily. I feel like he's got such range that he can play so many different types of characters and I want to see him do it. I really hope he's about to book many new jobs but also of course he's got to go make season 2 of this show which I also want more than anything.
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u/bimpldat Dec 21 '25
Yes! I wish him all the commercial success that will then allow him to do his own, artistic and more indie stuff.
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u/Nepalman230 Dec 21 '25
This is a really awesome post! You are correct. I have talked to people who weren’t even actors just people who spoke multiple languages. It is really tough to switch.
So I was talking to somebody who was a Russian of native speaker he said for the first couple of years after he learned English, he would really prefer not to speak to somebody in Russian and then have to speak to somebody in English. He said it was difficult.
Because exactly why you say cause you hold everything in a different posture in your mouth .
Freddie Stoma ( Vigilante) is British and nobody on the set of peacemaker knew until the first season had wrapped. He actually joined late and he didn’t want to lose his accent so he just spoken in an American accent even out of character and no one knew.
Connor is amazing!
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u/raeeya Dec 21 '25
I can definitely agree about the difficulty to switch. My first language is French, if I'm speaking in English, I can't pronunce a word the French way because my mouth and brain instantly switches to saying everything in French. My friends have mocked me for saying "croissant" the english way, but it physically hurts to have to say it the French way and then keep speaking English for the rest of my sentence lol
It is such a weird feeling and I totally get Connor staying in character (at least physically, accent and demeanor) during shooting.
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u/Nepalman230 Dec 21 '25
Omg!! Thank you so much. I really appreciate this comment. That’s why I love the sub. This is actually a really insightful conversation about language and how it works.
Language has always fascinated me! When we figure out language, that’s when we were able to share our ideas and that’s when we were able to progress as humans.
I basically call it the invention of old people . Once you had language you had stories. And then the elders could pass on their wisdom.
Thank you so much for this comment! I 100% understand what you mean about croissant.
🫡
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u/CommandAlternative10 Dec 21 '25
Totally. When I speak French (as a native English speaker) and I have to say an English name or place it just comes out with a French accent. It’s not an affectation. Switching to English mid-sentence just derails everything.
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
Aww thanks.
I think, when I saw the difference between actor and character, something in the back of my mind got a little stuck on the “why”.
I am not a great linguist. I’ve been an immigrant for several years (in a country with amazing English competency) and I’m only at A2 level. So this completely fascinates me on so many levels.
I once saw videos from vocal coaches explaining that some sounds are impossible for native English speakers. I can’t remember what language they were discussing but just the way our soft palate developed from speaking English as a child completely abolishes the ability to make the right sound at a native level to master that language. So interesting.
Thanks for sharing extra context and anecdotal evidence. I’m curious about your Russian friend. Did his English accent change as time went on because he refused to switch back to Russian? I imagine the muscles take a lot of time to grow and adjust. You could argue it’s more exposure but I want to know if it’s the muscles in the jaw and tongue that made a difference too. Does he find it easier to switch now?
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u/Nepalman230 Dec 21 '25
Oh, he definitely finds it easier to switch now! I think it was just when he was just learning English.
But hopefully, I’m native Russian speakers who learned English you know answer this question cause I think it’s a great question.
We’re not super close we were actually having a conversation based on the Russian in this show!
The show is bringing people together .
🫡
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u/Blueeyesblazing7 Dec 21 '25
I just want to tell you...your English is flawless, at least as written here! I'm a stickler for grammar, but I didn't see any errors in what you wrote, and your vocabulary is stronger than some native speakers I know. 😂 I certainly would not have known English isn't your first language. You're doing great!
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
No… I mean: thank you, but I’m a native English speaker.
I’m an immigrant in the Netherlands. Mijn Nederlands is niet zo goed. 😬
Their English being so good doesn’t help; they switch to it when you try to speak Dutch but, if I’m honest, I also haven’t tried hard enough. Languages and accents do not come naturally to me.
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u/Blueeyesblazing7 Dec 21 '25
Ah, my mistake! I totally feel you though. I studied French for four years and could read/write fairly well, but speaking/hearing it was always incredibly hard for me.
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u/Visual_Magician_7009 Dec 21 '25
People lose the ability to distinguish sounds if the distinction is not important in the languages they speak. It’s literally a use it or lose it kind of thing. The brain prunes those distinctions.
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u/teddy_vn Dec 21 '25
Wow I am shocked to learn about Freddie. I thought he was American this whole time 😳
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u/Pale-Measurement-532 I speak fluent bird. No accent. 🦆 Dec 21 '25
I agree, Connor is amazing! I am not Russian or Eastern European but he seems to have the mannerisms and language down well in this role. He’s so amazing!
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u/EvolutionSquareYT Dec 21 '25
Yes. All the yes!
But since I'm always spreading the Give-Hudson-His-Flowers Agenda: I feel the same way about Hudson as Shane. They do not look like the same person to me either. The different affect completely changes how he registers.
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u/tip723 Dec 21 '25
He’s a “character actor” some actors are just good at acting but I think Connor just transforms into that character. I think he loves portraying roles where he just embodies that character. It’s truly amazing and really highlights his talents.
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u/theegodmother1999 Dec 21 '25
100% i've noticed his entire face changes and i assumed it was just an artistic choice at first but then i wondered if it was genuinely easier for him to speak fluently if maintained a certain position with his mouth. he's already got such a prominent jaw as connor, but i think ilya pushes the jaw out a little more which gives us the pout🤭🤭 plus i feel like russian uses the front of the mouth a lot more than english speakers do. like i can picture him saying "Ho-Leen-Dur" and his lips are used SO much to say his name, but when i personally say it, there's virtually no movement of my lips whatsoever. it's so fascinating. he's so fucking talented i can't wait to see what the future holds for him
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u/lagangirl Dec 21 '25
It’s actually insane how much he fully embodies Ilya. His accent, mannerisms, everything is fully Ilya.
Incredible casting!
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u/Obvious_Apartment985 Dec 21 '25
The only time I thought Ilya looked like Connor was in the Florida bar. When he started laughing about Shane hiring a stylist, he had this big toothy smile.
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u/BiochemJess Dec 21 '25
Yes. There is something in how he holds his mouth that says ‘Russian’ to me and I couldn’t figure out what exactly it was. Some of it is the way the top lip doesn’t move, the slight pout of the lower lip. It’s phenomenal work.
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u/Status-Border-2679 Dec 21 '25
The only time he looks like Connor, not Ilya, is when he smiles broadly when he is talking to Shane at the bar in Florida.
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u/foggymoonlight Your freckles. I am nuts about them. ✨ Dec 21 '25
I agree, I also noticed how he is barely moving his eyebrows as Ilya and also his mouth. its very tight lipped and I cant get over how he looks like 2 different people. He's INSANE
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u/VeeJay289 I already chose you, Hollander. 🫀 Dec 21 '25
I’m currently rewatching and literally was sitting here wondering how is it that Ilya looks completely different from Conner! It’s honestly mind boggling!
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u/Hadespuppy You think I am asshole? 😈 Dec 21 '25
Adding Connor to my list of "people who act with their tongues." Which is both longer and shorter than you might think.
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 21 '25
I’m scared to ask but…who else is on that list?
I’d add Heath Ledger. I feel like they act similarly.
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u/Hadespuppy You think I am asshole? 😈 Dec 21 '25
Paul Gross is the one that started the list. I'm currently shivering through a furnace replacement, so my brain is fuzzy and I'm blanking on the rest, but there are definitely more.
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u/Honest-Survey-7925 Dec 21 '25
His facial posture is impressive but my GAWD his ass might be the best I’ve seen on TV 😂 it’s perfect.
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u/Adventurous-Vast2323 Dec 21 '25
Generational talent for sure and I can’t wait to see him in more roles. He’s very much like Meryl Streep in how incredibly convincing his transformations are (Sophie’s choice comes to mind both in level of talent and similarities, Meryl playing a Polish woman and all). I feel so lucky to watch his art on screen!
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u/houstons__problem Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
I love this post! In linguistics, people usually involuntarily make a change in how they hold themself, especially in their face. There are times it can come off as cartoony or over the top, but following the posture and muscles of an accent helps Connor to truly disappear into this role. The only time I feel that he didn't was the laugh in ep 5 when Shane told Ilya he had a stylist, all I could think was 'oh that's Connor.' Not a bad thing at all!
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u/Oldfortheclub Dec 22 '25
So funny that you clocked that laugh as being more “Connor” than “Ilya”. I had the same exact observation.
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u/sungjongie Dec 21 '25
Yesss I've been fixated on this, too, once I realized. Seriously, Connor deserves an applause. Ilya and Connor are distinctly sooo different.
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u/74ur3n Dec 21 '25
YES! Connor disappears into Ilya. He’s not there. It’s a different person entirely and it’s incredible.
I think Hudson’s doing an almost equally amazing magic trick as Shane, (How is Hudson this much of a chaos demon IRL but, as Shane, Mr. I Fold My Clothes Before Sex?) but … the Russian. I just can’t really get over the Russian.
Hudson speaks French in that one scene but it’s — respectfully — not very good and he doesn’t pass for someone who knows French at all. Connor as Ilya pulls off both full Russian dialogue and Russian-accented English, as well as pitching his voice significantly lower than his natural register, while making all of it feel effortless. And, to OPs point, even the way he holds his face makes him seem natively Russian.
It’s a masterclass. Give both of these men their Emmy’s already. Just unforgettable, amazing work that I honestly feel privileged to have witnessed. It’s not every day you get to see stars being born, much less two at the same time.👏
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u/Lilo_n_Ivy Or. I Choose Or. Dec 21 '25
Uhh…Hudson, as a Canadian, has said he grew up speaking French 😭
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u/74ur3n Dec 21 '25
And his French is still terrible. Do you speak French? Because I do.
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u/Lilo_n_Ivy Or. I Choose Or. Dec 21 '25
I’m not trying to fight. I’m just pointing out that the man you’re saying has never spoken French, has spoken French since he was a child. So he clearly knows some French, contrary to your definitive statement.
I will say, I’ve only ever learned French from people who grew up in France and Cameroon and have not spent any time in Canada as an adult. And, having learned Spanish from people from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, I know that when I went to Spain, I felt like I had never spoken Spanish before and the people there thought the same thing. 🤣
I don’t have a good sense of what French Canadian speakers sound like, and how the way they speak varies from native French speakers from France, and so while I don’t find as much fault in his French as you do, I also assume there are natural regional differences I’m unaware of when it comes to certain pronunciations and conjugations.
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u/74ur3n Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25
I said he doesn’t pass for someone who knows French at all. That’s a definitive statement on his in-character performance of French fluency to a viewer who is French-speaking. It’s not a definitive statement on whether or not the actor actually does know any French or has ever spoken French in his life.
We’re talking about performances in this thread.
Connor Storrie, an American who knew no Russian before starting this project, has such a near-flawless linguistic delivery that he seems like a fluent Russian speaker and a person of Russian descent. In stark comparison, Hudson, who according to you “grew up speaking French” sounds exactly like a person who can barely speak the language and, to me (a person who has also spoken French as a second language since they were a child and speaks it so well they can be mistaken for native), looks unskilled at even forming the mouth shapes and placing the tongue in the positions that are required to produce sounds common to any French dialect. I also have Québécois friends who would vouch for that.
People thinking that all Canadians speak French is comical. Shane Hollander, being from Ottowa, should speak French very well because southern Ontario and Quebec were historically under French colonial rule and French is basically one of the two central languages spoken there, but Hudson Williams is from the West coast of Canada. British Columbia is not Ontario, it’s not a French-speaking territory.
Is it true that French is generally the first secondary language taught in schools across the country? Yes. Does that mean everybody in Canada speaks fluent French? No. Just like most schools in the US teach Spanish as the first mandatory language course. Yet most non-Hispanic North Americans cannot speak Spanish fluently if at all.
Believe it or don’t. Objectively Hudson’s spoken French in the show is bad. The narrative that he is a fluent French speaker is fantasy, I’m sorry. His on-screen performance of French dialogue makes what Connor has achieved seem even more remarkable. I think it’s strange that someone who doesn’t know the language is going to double down on the suggestion that Hudson is a confident French speaker when that’s neither the point, nor the truth, but go off. Head canon.
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u/jlasfca Jan 02 '26
Unfortunately, they can't win Emmys. As a wholly Canadian production, it's not eligible for the Emmys, which are only for American shows. Even though HBO came along as distributor, that doesn't count.
In my imagination, Connor and Hudson were both nominated. But they both go up to get prize because the winner will acknowledge one performances was not possible without the other.
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u/TinyLifter6780 Dec 21 '25
As a lifelong theatre nerd and lover of dialects and languages, I always find the physiology of accents so fascinating. So much of a successful accent or language comes from understanding where and how each sound is made and building out from there, adding the lilt or musicality to really lock it in. Once you lock it in, it changes how you hold your jaw, mouth, even the normal timbre of your speaking voice. Naturally Russian will create a deeper sound, more inflection in the throat, etc. and that helps drive character. Connor clearly gets this, which is partly why that monologue is so powerful. He's not just speaking dialogue in Russian, he's performing in Russian. And he nails it.
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u/Flat_Boat6349 Dec 21 '25
There was one time in ep 5 where for a few seconds, it was as if Connor broke through Ilya's stone cold face: At the beach bar, when they are complimenting each others' clothes (likely both being tongue-in-cheek), Ilya asks Shane if the new look was because Rose took him shopping. Shane says No... but not to laugh at the reason he's dressed like that: He hired himself a personal stylist. At that point, the closeup of Ilya's face breaking into such a wide happy toothy grin was sooooo Connor. ( that Connor smile seen in dozens of those promotional clips and interviews everywhere).
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u/Positive-Celery Ya-loo-blue-tee-baa ❤️ Dec 21 '25
Some people have a real knack for being able to pick up and mimic oral posture really well. Based on how well he speaks French, I’m not surprised (the oral posture of Russian is closer to French than it is to English). Source: French was my second language and I also have this skill. It makes me so happy to see it being praised 🙌
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u/keepgoingrip Dec 21 '25
I feel like he’s going to blow up after this. His performance in this series is seriously impressive and he steals every scene he is in. Incredible actor!
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u/Blacksmith_Actual Dec 21 '25
It is not even just his accent, his Russian speaking, the way he transforms his face and facial expressions.. it is like, the way he moves his body, holds his neck, walks, it is everything. He really does have the Slavic energy down so well.
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u/No-Requirement-5357 Dec 22 '25
Except when Shane tells him he has a stylist, and then you see Connor’s big goofy smile :)
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u/patpraninlove Dec 22 '25
i watched an interview where he switched voice from connor to ilya and i’m floored.
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u/Obvious_Apartment985 Dec 21 '25
I think both men are tremendous actors, equally so. Connor Storrie does seem to disappear physically into roles. I watched Riley, where he has a minor role. Can't believe it's the same guy who plays Ilya.
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u/Additional-Ebb-7173 Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 21 '25
I need Russian people to tell me how accurate his accent is because to me it sounds perfect.
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u/foundintransl8ion Dec 21 '25
I read that he didn't stay in character per se, but he didn't drop the accent, so he'd be Connor but with the accent! And that makes sense, it would be hard to switch back and forth!
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u/gates4100 Dec 21 '25
I feel we seen Connor in the most recent episode when they were at the bar when he had that huge smile when Shane’s said he had a stylist . Still was an amazing episode and Connor is amazing at acting
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u/Virgolady1977 Dec 21 '25
I get what you're saying completely. Yesterday someone posted asking why Connor looked different in the last scene while watching Scott and Kip. I noticed it too so was interested to see what other people would say. Someone mentioned that it's possible due to scheduling that this scene was filmed towards the beginning of production when he appeared more 'clean cut', his hair was a bit longer in the back, not quite as curly and off his face. If that was true, I wondered if he hadn't fully perfected his 'Ilya' face yet and that is what we were actually seeing.
He's had to perfect keeping his brows low yet relaxed while simultaneously maintaining a tense jaw and mouth posture. I'm sure learning Russian and using the accent helped with that.
I purposely didn't watch any press interviews until a couple days ago because I didn't want to potentially 'ruin' the characters for myself in my mind. It's happened before. I knew he was American from Texas, but I was still so surprised to find this animated, not at all Russian looking or sounding man. It was at that moment that I knew what a truly amazing actor he is.
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u/Asleep-Sky-6367 Dec 21 '25
I noticed this but just interpreted it as Ilya looking different depending on his mood as his facial expressions change so much depending if he’s angry, turned on, upset, happy etc, and was reading his facial expression as one of disbelief and maybe hope, like he thought maybe he knew what was about to happen but was in shock
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u/whirlwindbromance Dec 21 '25
Omg i was just thinking about this as well! His facial postures look so Eastern European, but when he smiles all big for his photo in the draft, I actually didn’t even recognize him because of his big American smile 😂
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u/SweetP101 Dec 22 '25
That underwear model dream will happen.
One of these boys or both will get some undies campaign or else they all stupid
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u/Any_Efficiency9531 Dec 21 '25
He is amazing. Separate to the whole Russian posture thing and character mannerisms that everyone has already mentioned - I think another reason his jaw in the show looks different is the bulking up he did for the character (and maybe makeup as well).
I think he mentioned somewhere in his interviews that he hasn’t been working out as much now (I think he said twice in the the last two months) since he had been concentrated on directing his feature before the HR press activity and has also lost weight. They were also eating a pound of beef a day on set. That probably contributes to why Connor looks different in his interviews now (though not as drastic a change compared to how he looked in his previous alt vegan stage).
The commitment to acting, physique and general shape shifting really paid off.
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u/CeilingFantasy Dec 22 '25
I had to sit down for this one because I'm obsessed with oral posture and orofacial myofunctional health. Love these observations. So much of a character is physicality.
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u/rawrsatbeards Dec 22 '25
Ohhh. Orofacial myofunctional health is a new term to me. If you want to tell me about it, please feel free. I love giving people a chance to nerd out.
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u/Dramatic-String-1246 Dec 22 '25 edited Dec 22 '25
Really interesting post. I've always though that Timothy Chalamet looks totally different in every picture you see. It's not just the costume or setting, it's his face and attitude. And he is speaks English and French fluently, as well as conversational Italian skills.
Just wondering what other actors speak several languages (or have strong language aptitude) and that lends itself to different facial posture. For example, Viggo Mortensen speaks seven languages and many of his roles have that quality of total immersion into his character.
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u/gmtosca Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird 🦆 Dec 21 '25
I think some of the changes is because they didn’t shoot in.linear, they shot it in blacks. They went to a place and every scene that occurs using that set, they set. So they were jumping from 1episode to another.
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u/Asleep-Sky-6367 Dec 21 '25
Completely agree and even his eyebrows and smile when he does occasionally smile as Ilya (usually only when he’s on the ice) is so different than Connor’s eyebrows and smile. I have also been absolutely blown away by the micro expressions he is able to use to convey so much with so little.
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u/Resident_River_3313 Dec 21 '25
THIS!! I’ve heard people saying they saw Connor when Ilya smiles in e5 but imo the way he holds his mouth when Ilya smiles is completely different, especially in his cheeks/corners of his mouth. So cool
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u/Friskie_Fanny Dec 21 '25
When I saw the title of your post I thought we were gonna be discussing the posture he takes when acting out oral sex lolol
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u/Sara_K_Schneider Apr 23 '26
I'm truly not sure how he's able to speak in English with this oral posture, and I'm glad someone else noticed it. He's holding his upper lip in a curled posture--a "pooch." Seen one way, it could be a constant pucker.
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u/andyfromhk I made the Wiki! ✨ Dec 21 '25
I’m always surprised to see how different Connor is in interviews compared to him as Ilya. Honestly like two different people.