Two fresh faces are set to make their debut in the world of “Heated Rivalry,” but the casting news for Season 2 is stirring up some backlash among fans who were anticipating more accurate representation of body diversity from the books.
Crave officially announced on Friday that the ensemble of the immensely popular hockey romance will be broadening in its upcoming season with the addition of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
Gillespie, a talent from New Brunswick who recently featured in the film “One Night Only,” has been selected to portray Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. He was previously seen in the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms,” which was canceled after its inaugural season.
Smith, recognized for his performances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” will be taking on the role of Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager.
Troy and Harris are the central figures in “Role Model,” the fifth installment in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, on which the show “Heated Rivalry” is based. Crave has confirmed that the second season will continue to follow the main characters from the first season, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, while integrating the narrative of Troy and Harris.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed in the casting announcement, “From the outset of the casting process, we sought actors who could create something truly extraordinary together and bring that same depth and sincerity to the screen.”
Fan reactions are divided, as while some are enthusiastic about the news, others are voicing disappointment over Smith’s casting as Harris, believing it missed an opportunity for more inclusivity in the portrayal of desirable body types on screen.
Comments on Crave’s Instagram and TikTok posts unveiling the cast reveal a mix of sentiments from fans.
Smith shared his enthusiasm for the role on his Instagram story, expressing gratitude for the support and love from fans and pledging to do justice to the character.
The second season is scheduled for release in Spring 2027, with filming already underway, generating excitement among fans eagerly tracking each development. Tierney recently appealed for fans to respect the cast and crew’s space at filming locations as shooting progresses.
