‘Heated Rivalry’ Adds 5 Stars & Unveils Wyatt Hayes Actor!
Heated Rivalry Season 2: Everything You Need to Know About the New Cast and Story
Important Update: The hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry is gearing up for its second season with exciting new additions to the cast and a spring 2027 premiere date!
What Is Heated Rivalry Anyway?
Think of Heated Rivalry like a hockey version of your favorite romance novel—but with way more ice time and emotional tension. It’s based on the bestselling Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid.
- Season 1 followed two rival hockey rookies, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who start as enemies but slowly fall in love over several years.
- Season 2 continues their story AND introduces a brand-new couple from the books.
Meet the New Faces Joining Season 2
Five fresh faces are lacing up their skates for the next chapter. Here’s who’s joining the team:
| Actor | Known For | Character | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Hampshire | Schitt’s Creek, VisionQuest | Vanessa | Comedy queen joining a sports drama! |
| Edvin Ryding | Young Royals, 28 Years Later | Luca Haas | Swedish star bringing international flair |
| Robert Naylor | Mile End Kicks, Cardinal | Wyatt Hayes | Fan-favorite book character finally cast! |
| Sabrina Jalees | I Used to Be Funny, Black Mirror | Farah Jalali | Stand-up comedian turned actress |
| Priyanka | Drag Brunch Saved My Life, Meet Me Next Christmas | Tarek | Canada’s Drag Race winner making waves |
Big Book-to-Screen News: Robert Naylor has been cast as Wyatt Hayes—the starting goalie for the Ottawa Centaurs and a major fan-favorite character from Rachel Reid’s books. The internet has been buzzing about this casting for months!
Who’s Returning from Season 1?
The core rivalry continues with:
- Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander
- Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov
Plus, two major new leads for the second love story:
- Justice Smith as Harris Drover
- Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett
Did You Know? Smith and Gillespie play the central couple from Book 5: Role Model—so Season 2 is adapting two books at once!
Which Books Are Being Adapted in Season 2?
The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, confirmed Season 2 pulls from two different books in the Game Changers series:
| Book Title | Book Number | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| The Long Game | Book 6 | Continues Shane & Ilya’s story |
| Role Model | Book 5 | Introduces Harris & Troy’s romance |
Season 1 recap: It mainly adapted Book 2: Heated Rivalry with bits of Book 1: Game Changer.
When and Where Can You Watch?
Mark your calendars!
- Premiere: Spring 2027
- Platform: HBO Max (in the U.S. and many international territories)
- Also on: Crave (Canada, where it originates)
Available in:
- United States
- Australia
- Most of Europe (except UK, Ireland, Spain, Turkey)
- Latin America
- Select Asian countries: Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Behind the Scenes: Who’s Making the Show?
| Role | Name(s) |
|---|---|
| Creator / Writer / Director / EP | Jacob Tierney |
| Executive Producers | Brady, Jayme Alter Wilson |
| Producers | Lori Fischburg, Liane Cunje |
| Consulting Producer | Rachel Reid (the author herself!) |
| Co-Writer (Season 2) | Mike Goldbach |
| Production Company | Accent Aigu Entertainment |
| Commissioned by | Bell Media’s Crave |
| Funding Support | Canada Media Fund |
Quick Summary: 5 Things to Remember
- Five new cast members join Season 2, including Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire.
- Robert Naylor plays Wyatt Hayes—a beloved book character who’s a pro goalie.
- Two couples, two books: Shane & Ilya (The Long Game) + Harris & Troy (Role Model).
- Premieres Spring 2027 on HBO Max (U.S.) and Crave (Canada).
- Author Rachel Reid is involved as consulting producer—so expect book-accurate vibes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to read the books to enjoy the show?
A: Not at all! The show stands on its own, but book fans will love spotting the Easter eggs and faithful adaptations.
Q: Is Wyatt Hayes a main character in Season 2?
A: He’s a prominent side character in the books (goalie for the Ottawa Centaurs), so expect meaningful screen time—but the main focus stays on the two couples.
Q: Will Season 2 only be on HBO Max?
A: In Canada, it airs on Crave. In the U.S. and many other countries, it’s on HBO Max. Check your local listings!
Q: Are Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie playing a couple?
A: Yes! They play Harris Drover and Troy Barrett—the central romance of Role Model (Book 5).
Q: When will we get a trailer?
A: No official trailer date yet, but with a Spring 2027 premiere, expect teasers late 2026 or early 2027.
Final Thoughts
Heated Rivalry Season 2 is shaping up to be a double-dose of hockey romance—continuing the slow-burn we loved in Season 1 while launching a fresh, book-favorite love story. With a stellar new cast, the author onboard, and two novels being adapted simultaneously, spring 2027 can’t come fast enough.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to the series, Season 1 is streaming now on Crave (Canada) and HBO Max (U.S.)—perfect time to catch up before the new season drops!
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the premiere. Go team!