Before we can catch Hudson Williams lace up his skates to play Shane Hollander again in Heated Rivalry season 2, the Canadian Screen Award-winning actor will thankfully be back on our screens much sooner than next spring. We're one step closer to watching the talented star take on a dual role in the supernatural thriller series Yaga, which now has an official premiere date on the calendar.
On Monday, Sept. 14, ahead of the Yaga world premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Crave shared an extended first-looked at the premiere episode, which revealed the official premiere date. When Crave set the stage for Yaga's rollout, the streamer merely teased the October 2026 release window, but the exact date has been set.
Yaga makes its premiere on Crave in Canada and AMC+ in the United States on Friday, Oct. 23 with a two-episode premiere. For the next four weeks, one episode will be released weekly on Fridays leading up to the two-episode finale on Friday, Nov. 27. (Yes, that's the day before the one-year anniversary of the Heated Rivalry premiere. Talk about divine timing!)
Yaga premiere date set and first-look revealed before TIFF debut
In the new first-look footage released by Crave and AMC+ (as well as the show's UK network Sky TV), we're introduced to the world of Yaga as Carson (Clark Backo) and Rapp (Noah Reid). The pair of detectives are forced together as the investigation into the disappearance of Henry Park (Hudson Williams) begins, but Carson and Rapp's working relationship doesn't get off to a great start.
While Williams doesn't appear in this particular footage from Yaga's premiere, we do catch a glimpse of Henry Park on a missing persons flyer Rapp intends to post around Whittock. (The flyer uses a photo of Williams from the 2026 Golden Globes, though it's edited to give him Henry's blue eyes.) But Crave didn't waste time to give fans more Hudson Williams content.
The streamer shared another video of the actor during his photo shoot for the series, which gives us a better look at his second character, the mysterious Logan. It's obvious that Williams wears prosthetics on his face, as well as glasses and a wig, to differentiate Logan from the striking good looks of Henry, which is just that signature Hudson Williams face card.
One Hudson Williams just wasn’t enough. 😏
— Crave (@CraveCanada) September 14, 2026
Don't miss the two-episode premiere of #YAGA October 23. pic.twitter.com/7a8lAoefia
Before Yaga begins rolling out on Crave, AMC+, and around the world in October, the series is set for its world premiere at TIFF on Thursday, Sept. 19. Williams will discuss his career during a special Making Waves With... conversation, and the cast will again gather (though the exact lineup remains TBD) at New York Comic-Con on Friday, Oct. 9 for another panel.
There's even more Yaga go around this fall as Crave launches the show's official companion podcast on the same day as the series premiere and drop new episodes each week on the streamer's official YouTube channel. Hosted by Carley Thorne, Yaga: The Official Podcast will also be available on all major podcast platforms. Whether cast will appear on the podcast remains to be revealed.
Clearly, there's a lot to look forward to from the cast and crew leading up to the big premiere on Oct. 23, and after those two-episodes drop, it's officially Yagaween season until the grand finale in November. It's going to be a witchy great time with these eight half-hour episodes. Stay tuned for more updates and mark your calendars for the series premiere!
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