Two fresh faces are set to make their debut in the realm of “Heated Rivalry,” but the unveiling of the Season 2 cast has sparked some backlash from fans longing for more authentic body representation. Crave officially announced on Friday that the ensemble of the immensely popular hockey romance series will be broadening to include Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
Gillespie, a talent from New Brunswick who recently featured in the film “One Night Only,” will 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 discontinued after its first season.
Meanwhile, Smith, renowned for his performances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” will take on the character of Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager.
Troy and Harris are the central figures in “Role Model,” the fifth book within Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, on which the show “Heated Rivalry” is based. Crave has affirmed that the upcoming 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 onset of the casting process, we sought actors who could craft something truly remarkable together and bring that same depth and emotion to the screen.”
The fan response to the news is divided. While some enthusiasts are thrilled by the revelation, others are voicing disappointment over Smith’s portrayal of Harris, believing it missed an opportunity to showcase more body diversity on screen.
Comments on Crave’s Instagram and TikTok posts unveiling the cast reflect mixed sentiments among fans, with some expressing excitement and others expressing concerns about representation.
The second season is scheduled for release in Spring 2027, with filming already underway. Fans eagerly anticipate each development, as evidenced by their recent enthusiasm during sightings of actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in Toronto.
As production progresses, Tierney recently appealed to fans to provide the cast and crew with space during filming.
