[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CULTURE]

16 clusters · 166 sources · 47 days · First seen · Last updated

Heated Rivalry Season 2 production and casting response

Overview

Filming for Season 2 of the ice-hockey drama ‘Heated Rivalry’ continued in Toronto throughout July and August 2026. As production ramped up, showrunner Jacob Tierney and Accent Aigu Entertainment issued a plea on Instagram for fans to respect the privacy of the cast and crew, stating, “Please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best.” On August 6, 2026, new casting details were announced. Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie were confirmed as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively. Additional cast members include Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, and Priyanka, while returning leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will continue their roles. Warner Bros. confirmed these additions for the HBO Max and Crave series, which is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027. The season will adapt the sixth book in Rachel Reid’s ‘Game Changers’ series, *The Long Game*, with the Harris-Troy storyline drawing from the fifth book, *Role Model*. Following casting news, some fans expressed skepticism regarding Justice Smith's portrayal of Harris Drover, specifically noting he does not match the character's stocky build in the novels. Author Rachel Reid defended the decision on Instagram, noting that the original cast faced similar backlash during the first season before being well-received. Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady asserted that Smith and Gillespie connected with the “vulnerability and resilience” at the core of their characters. On August 25, 2026, Crave and HBO announced further casting additions, including Daniel Diemer as Ryan Price and Shaheen Jafargholi as Fabian Salah. On September 3, 2026, additional casting was revealed: Kevin Zegers will portray Coach Brandon Wiebe, Milla Jovovich will play Dr. Galina Molchalina, and Paul Gross will play Commissioner Roger Crowell.

Entities

Rachel Reid · Heated Rivalry · Jacob Tierney · Crave · HBO Max

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 17 days ago

    [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Heated Rivalry season 2 expands cast and production details

    The second season of ‘Heated Rivalry’ has added six new cast members and is set to adapt further entries from Rachel Reid’s ‘Game Changers’ book series for Crave and HBO Max.

  2. 26 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Milla Jovovich joins cast of Heated Rivalry season two

    Milla Jovovich, Kevin Zegers, and Paul Gross join the cast of ‘Heated Rivalry’ season two, a hockey romance series based on the books by Rachel Reid.

  3. 29 days ago

    [CULTURE] 10 sources
    Milla Jovovich and Kevin Zegers join ‘Heated Rivalry’ season 2 cast

    Milla Jovovich, Kevin Zegers, and Paul Gross have joined the cast of ‘Heated Rivalry’ season 2, the hockey romance series set to premiere in spring 2027 on Crave and HBO Max.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Shaheen Jafargholi joins cast of HBO drama Heated Rivalry

    Actor Shaheen Jafargholi has joined the second season of the hit HBO ice hockey drama ‘Heated Rivalry’ as Fabian Salah, starring alongside Daniel Diemer.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 57 sources
    Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi cast in Heated Rivalry season 2

    Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi have been cast in season two of the hit hockey romance series ‘Heated Rivalry’, set to premiere in spring 2027.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 25 sources
    University of Victoria introduces courses on Heated Rivalry

    The University of Victoria is launching two new courses this fall exploring the themes of Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry through the lenses of law and English literature.

  7. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Heated Rivalry creator shares details on season 2

    Creator Jacob Tierney reveals that season 2 of the queer hockey series ‘Heated Rivalry’ will follow the plot of Rachel Reid’s sixth book, ‘The Long Game’.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Heated Rivalry announces physical media releases and second season production

    ‘Heated Rivalry’ is launching physical DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Collector’s Edition releases in North America this autumn, while production begins on a second season slated for Spring 2027.

  9. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Heated Rivalry announces new cast members for season two

    The Canadian series ‘Heated Rivalry’ has announced new cast members for season two, including Edvin Ryding and Robert Naylor, as the show expands its universe based on Rachel Reid’s book series.

  10. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    University of Victoria courses inspired by ‘Heated Rivalry’ reach full capacity

    The popularity of Rachel Reid’s ‘Heated Rivalry’ has led to fully enrolled academic courses at the University of Victoria and the upcoming production of a second season for the television series.

  11. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 32 sources
    Heated Rivalry season 2 adds five new cast members

    The second season of the hit series ‘Heated Rivalry’ has announced five new cast members, including Emily Hampshire and Edvin Ryding, with a scheduled premiere in spring 2027.

  12. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 9 sources
    Rachel Reid defends ‘Game Changers’ season 2 casting

    Author Rachel Reid defended the new casting for season two of the HBO series ‘Game Changers’ following fan criticism regarding new actors Justice Smith and others joining the production.

  13. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 20 sources
    Rachel Reid defends Heated Rivalry season 2 casting

    Author Rachel Reid has defended the casting of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie for season two of ‘Heated Rivalry’ following fan backlash regarding character physical descriptions.

  14. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 28 sources
    Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie Join Heated Rivalry for Season 2

    Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie join Heated Rivalry season 2 as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett; the season premieres spring 2027, adapting Rachel Reid’s novels.

  15. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 13 sources
    Heated Rivalry cast asks fans to give space during Toronto season‑2 filming

    Heated Rivalry’s crew asks fans to give space as season‑2 filming starts in Toronto; stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie spotted, with the season set for spring 2027.

  16. 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Heated Rivalry Season 2 Begins Filming in Toronto

    Heated Rivalry’s Season 2 is filming in Toronto with Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie back, based on Rachel Reid’s The Long Game, set for a spring release.

Sources

100milefreepress.net · abbynews.com · act.org · actuamusic.fr · agassizharrisonobserver.com · albernivalleynews.com · aldergrovestar.com · alltechnerd.com · archynetys.com · askanews.it · attitude.co.uk · barrierestarjournal.com · bestmovie.it · bleedingcool.com · brandonsun.com · burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · caledoniacourier.com · campbellrivermirror.com · cheknews.ca · chemainusvalleycourier.ca · cinemablend.com · cinepop.com.br · cloverdalereporter.com · coastmountainnews.com · comingsoon.net · comoxvalleyrecord.com · computerworld.cz · coolmagazin.com · coopamerica.org · cosmopolitan.com · cowichanvalleycitizen.com · craveonline.com · crestonvalleyadvance.ca · daninseries.it · darkhorizons.com · dattelner-morgenpost.de · deadline.com · deadlinehollywooddaily.com · desitalkchicago.com · diario.mx · dnamagazine.com.au · dorstenerzeitung.de · dorzeczy.pl · dravafold.hu · dtvnews.hu · dziennik-polityczny.com · ecartelera.com

This summary has been updated 25 times: see revision history