The casting search for the next season of Heated Rivalry has concluded. Charlie Gillespie joins the production as professional hockey player Troy Barrett. Justice Smith takes on the role of Harris Drover, the team social media manager.
These characters are central to the plot of the upcoming season. The showrunners, Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, stated they sought actors who could convey the internal conflict and growth defined in the source material. Production for the second season is underway with a target release window in spring 2027.
Fans of the series can expect a shift in the narrative as the new episodes draw from Rachel Reid’s novels The Long Game and Role Model. The story follows the relationship between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov while introducing new dynamics between Troy and Harris.
Season one established the show as a notable title for Crave and HBO Max. Following a strong debut in 2025, the series continues to focus on the lives of hockey athletes navigating personal connections. The new cast additions accompany returning leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as filming moves forward this month.