The announcement that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie are joining the cast of Heated Rivalry Season 2 has sparked widespread discussion across social media. While the hockey romance series created by Jacob Tierney achieved success on Crave and HBO Max, the new casting decisions brought immediate debate from readers of the original novels by Rachel Reid.
Fan Backlash and Actor Response Over Harris and Troy Castings
Some readers online criticized the decision to cast a non-plus-sized actor to portray Harris Drover, a character described in the novel Role Model as chubbier than the hockey players of the book. Alongside Smith, Charlie Gillespie was cast as Troy Barrett, a recovering bully and hockey player traded from the Toronto Guardians to the Ottawa Centaurs.
Addressing the online response directly, Smith shared a statement on his Instagram story detailing his appreciation for the reception from followers.
“I am moved by the support and love I’m getting from fans in my dms, fans who have welcomed me with open arms and who already feel a responsibility to protect me.”
Justice Smith, Actor, via Radio Times
Rachel Reid Draws Parallels to Season 1 Casting Reactions
Author Rachel Reid stepped in to defend the new casting choices, posting an image alongside a message recalling the initial reception faced by the show’s first-season leads.
That initial reaction surrounded Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who portray Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov and his rival-turned-lover Shane Hollander. Storrie and Williams quickly became central figures for the adaptation, which explores queer romance and personal growth within professional hockey.
Creative Leadership Explains the Casting Chemistry
Series creator, writer, director, and executive producer Jacob Tierney, alongside executive producer Brendan Brady, released a joint statement emphasizing the deliberate search for actors who could establish an immediate rapport.
“From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen. Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”
Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, Executive Producers, via The Hollywood Reporter
Tierney and Brady also credited Reid with providing two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root for
through her writing.
Production Timeline and Upcoming Release Details
Production for Heated Rivalry Season 2 is underway in Canada, with series creator Jacob Tierney requesting cooperation from fans as filming begins. The sophomore season will draw inspiration from Reid’s novel The Long Game, which picks up 10 years later as Ilya moves from the Boston Raiders to join the Ottawa Centaurs to be near Shane Hollander.
Crave and HBO Max have confirmed that the series will continue its broadcast distribution. While specific daily broadcast dates remain unannounced, the production aims for a spring 2027 release, with Season 1 currently streaming on Crave, HBO Max, Sky, and NOW.
