Heated Rivalry Season 2 Cast Revealed! Fans Divided, Author Reacts

The long-awaited announcement that fans of Heated Rivalry had been eagerly anticipating for months finally arrived this weekend!

As filming for season 2 is set to begin in the coming days, the production has unveiled the names of the two actors who will portray the characters of Harris Drover and Troy Barrett. It’s safe to say that the reveal has not been universally welcomed by the fans.

Charlie Gillespie and Justice Smith in Season 2 of Heated Rivalry

For those catching up, Heated Rivalry is based on the book series “Game Changer” by Rachel Reid. The first season follows the plot of the second book, titled “Heated Rivalry”, which narrates the tumultuous love story between Shane and Ilya.

Having quickly become a global sensation, it was no surprise when the Canadian platform Crave announced on December 12 last year that the series was renewed for a second season. This upcoming season will adapt “Role Model” and “The Long Game”, two closely connected installments that introduce two new characters: Troy Barrett, a hockey player joining the Ottawa team where Ilya now plays, and Harris Drover, the team’s community manager.

These new faces will be portrayed by Charlie Gillespie (known from Julie and the Phantoms) and Justice Smith (known from Detective Pikachu and Jurassic World: Dominion).

A Casting Decision That’s Making Waves

The announcement quickly sparked strong reactions from the novel’s fans, who pointed out that Justice Smith does not closely resemble the character of Harris, who is described as a chubby redhead.

In response to the backlash, Rachel Reid reminded her followers in an Instagram story that the initial casting announcements for Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who are now globally adored for their portrayals of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, were also met with skepticism.

“I think back to last summer, when I was told that choosing the actors for Ilya and Shane was a mistake and a poor choice…,” she wrote.

Justice Smith also posted an Instagram story asking fans to trust him. “I am deeply moved by the support and love I receive in my private messages, from fans who have welcomed me with open arms and feel the need to protect me,” he wrote.

“It’s an honor for me to play a character that means so much to you, and I promise to take care of him if you give me the chance.”

“They immediately grasped the vulnerability and resilience that define these characters…”

In a press release shared by HBO Max, the French broadcaster of Heated Rivalry, Jacob Tierney, creator and co-producer of the series, and his colleague Brendan Brady revealed that it was primarily the chemistry between the two actors that influenced their decision.

“Right from the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could together create something truly special and convey on screen the depth and emotion of the story. Justice and Charlie immediately grasped the vulnerability and resilience that define Harris and Troy, thanks to an instinctive understanding of who these characters are.”

Fans will have to wait until the spring airing of season 2 of Heated Rivalry to see if Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady’s gamble pays off. In the meantime, season 1 of the series is available now on HBO Max.