Two fresh faces are set to grace the universe of “Heated Rivalry,” but the announcement of the Season 2 cast has triggered some backlash among fans wishing for a more faithful representation of body diversity from the books.
Crave has officially disclosed that the ensemble of the immensely popular hockey romance will be broadening for its upcoming season, welcoming Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie into the fold.
Hailing from New Brunswick and recently seen in the film “One Night Only,” Gillespie has been selected to portray Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. He is also recognized for his role in the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms,” which was canceled after its debut season.
Smith, acclaimed for his performances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” will be embodying the character of Harris Drover, the social media manager for the Centaurs.
Troy and Harris take center stage in “Role Model,” the fifth installment in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, on which the show “Heated Rivalry” is based. Crave has affirmed that the second season will continue to follow the storyline of the main characters from the first season, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, while also integrating the narrative of Troy and Harris.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed in the casting announcement, “From the onset of the casting process, we sought actors who could deliver something truly extraordinary together and bring that same depth and emotion to the screen.”
Some fans have shown enthusiasm for the new additions, while others have voiced disappointment over Smith’s portrayal of Harris, lamenting the missed opportunity for more inclusive representations of body types deemed desirable on screen.
The reactions on Crave’s Instagram and TikTok posts unveiling the cast have been a mix of sentiments from fans.
In response to the casting controversy, Reid hinted at a similar situation with the initial casting of Ilya and Shane, who have now gained immense popularity following the show’s international success.
Smith shared his eagerness to take on the role through an Instagram story post, expressing gratitude for the support and affection from fans and promising to honor the character with care.
The second season is scheduled for release in Spring 2027, with filming already underway, generating excitement among fans eagerly tracking each development. Tierney recently requested fans to respect the cast and crew’s space at filming locations.