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Sparks Fly: Justice Smith & Charlie Gillespie Dissect Harris & Troy’s Rivalry
Heated Rivalry Season 2: Everything You Need to Know About the New Couple and Spring 2027 Premiere
TL;DR: The hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry is returning for Season 2 in spring 2027! Two new stars are joining the cast to play a brand-new couple from the books, while our original favorites continue their story. Filming has already started in Canada.
What Is Heated Rivalry?
Imagine a TV show that mixes intense hockey action with a heartwarming, slow-burn romance. That’s Heated Rivalry in a nutshell.
- Based on: The bestselling Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid.
- Season 1 dropped in late 2025 and became an instant global hit.
- Where to watch: Crave (Canada) / HBO Max (U.S. & many other countries).
- Available in: Over 130 countries worldwide.
The Big News: Season 2 Is Confirmed & Filming Has Begun!
Production officially kicked off earlier this week (August 2026) in Canada. The new season is locked in for a Spring 2027 premiere.
Meet the New Couple: Harris & Troy
Season 2 isn’t just continuing the old story—it’s adding a whole new romance adapted from Book 5: Role Model.
| Actor | Character | Who Are They? |
|---|---|---|
| Justice Smith (I Saw the TV Glow, Dungeons & Dragons) |
Harris Drover | A friendly, warm-hearted social media manager. Think sunshine personality. |
| Charlie Gillespie (Julie and the Phantoms, Love You to Death) |
Troy Barrett | A talented hockey player with a complicated past, including a history of bullying. He’s the "grumpy" to Harris’s "sunshine." |
Important Point: The show’s creators, Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, said they searched for actors who could capture the "vulnerability and resilience" at the core of these characters. They say Justice and Charlie "immediately connected" and bring an "instinctive understanding" to the roles.
The Returning Favorites: Shane & Ilya
Our original couple is back! Season 2 adapts Book 6: The Long Game for their continuing journey.
| Actor | Character | Season 1 Recap |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson Williams | Shane Hollander | A driven, ambitious rookie who fell secretly for his rival. |
| Connor Storrie | Ilya Rozanov | Shane’s rival on the ice. Their secret fling turned into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. |
How the Books Map to the Show (Simplified)
The show mixes and matches the book order slightly. Here is the roadmap:
- Season 1 → Primarily Book 2 (Heated Rivalry) + elements of Book 1 (Game Changer).
- Season 2 → Two stories at once!
- Story A: Shane & Ilya continue in Book 6 (The Long Game).
- Story B: Harris & Troy debut in Book 5 (Role Model).
Behind the Scenes: The Team Making It Happen
- Creator / Writer / Director / Executive Producer: Jacob Tierney
- Executive Producers: Brendan Brady, Jayme Alter Wilson
- Producers: Lori Fischburg, Liane Cunje
- Consulting Producer (The Author!): Rachel Reid
- Season 2 Co-Writer: Mike Goldbach
- Production Company: Accent Aigu Entertainment (in association with Bell Media’s Crave)
- International Distribution: Sphere Abacus (a Bell Media company)
Your Roadmap to Spring 2027
- Right Now: Filming is underway in Canada.
- Coming Months: Post-production (editing, visual effects, sound design).
- Early 2027: Trailers, promo photos, and exact premiere date announcements.
- Spring 2027: Season 2 drops on Crave / HBO Max!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Do I need to read the books to understand the show?
Absolutely not! The show is written to stand on its own. Think of the books as "bonus content" if you want more after the season ends.
Will Shane and Ilya still be main characters in Season 2?
Yes! They are the heart of the show. Season 2 splits its time between their continuing story (The Long Game) and the new couple (Role Model).
Is this show only for hockey fans?
Not at all. The hockey is the backdrop, but the show is really about relationships, identity, vulnerability, and found family. If you like Ted Lasso or Heartstopper, you’ll like this.
Why is there a gap between late 2025 and spring 2027?
High-quality TV takes time! Writing, casting, filming (on ice rinks!), and post-production for a global release usually takes 12–18 months.
Where can I catch up on Season 1 right now?
You can stream all of Season 1 on Crave (Canada) or HBO Max (US/International).
Summary
- Show: Heated Rivalry (Crave Original / HBO Max).
- Status: Season 2 filming now (August 2026).
- Premiere: Spring 2027.
- New Leads: Justice Smith (Harris) & Charlie Gillespie (Troy) — a "Sunshine x Grumpy" social media manager / hockey player duo.
- Returning Leads: Hudson Williams (Shane) & Connor Storrie (Ilya).
- Source Material: Season 2 adapts Book 5 (Role Model) and Book 6 (The Long Game) from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series.
- Vibe: High-stakes hockey, deep emotional romance, global phenomenon.
Get ready to lace up your skates—Season 2 is coming in hot!
