What will the chemistry be like between Melissa McCarthy and Connor Storrie as mother and son in Craig Zobel's Turpentine?

Melissa McCarthy was photographed on the set of Turpentine in Atlanta this week. Craig Zobel’s project is described as an indie thriller but we might also call it a dark comedy-thriller, not just because of Melissa’s reputation but the story automatically lends itself to some humour. It’s about “a deadbeat son who hires friends to rob his own parents to pay off a bookie, with disastrous results”. Connor Storrie is playing the deadbeat son.

So, basically, a loser who’s in financial trouble, who could only be friends with other losers, concocting a scheme to scam his parents – everything will go wrong, naturally, because the son and his crew are fools. And when there is foolishness involved, there is the potential for some satire, on the bleaker side of satire.

I’m looking forward to the chemistry between Connor and Melissa, especially since she is a famously physical performer and he, with the clowning experience, is also a talented physical performer so the combination of these two skillsets, I hope, will be featured in the film.

Atlanta locals have posted photos of Connor here and there when they run into him but for the most part he’s kept a low profile. This is happening during Emmy nomination season and there’s been some controversy about Connor and the rest of the Heated Rivalry cast and crew because Heated Rivalry is not eligible… which we’ve already known about for months now but that conversation has picked up again with everyone out here campaigning.

A few days ago, Variety kicked the nest with this revelation about their upcoming television Actors on Actors series.

Variety invited all three breakout actors of the hit series #HeatedRivalry — Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie and François Arnaud — to participate in the upcoming #ActorsOnActors, but all of them declined.

Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh says, “I’m certain they would… pic.twitter.com/awU1QEu9Us
— Variety (@Variety) May 31, 2026

So to recap: Variety says they wanted Connor, Hudson Williams, and François Arnaud to participate but they declined and they’re speculating that it’s because they didn’t want to look too desperado when they’re not even eligible at the Emmys. Then TMZ entered the chat with an exclusive from their sources that the Emmys had nothing to do with Connor, Hudson, and François passing on the opportunity – it’s just that they’re too busy right now.

It all amounts to a nothingburger but this is an intense fandom, there are debates and perceived slights and bias clashes happening all over the place so it’s only reignited indignation among certain corners of the fanbase about how unfair it is that their faves won’t be getting Emmy recognition. And, honestly, it seems at this point that the fans might care more than the actors, which is saying something because actors love validation. True…but they also love opportunity, and financial security, and all of that is coming for your faves. Connor, Hudson, and François are booked and busy. They’re good.