11
Rachel Reid Claps Back, Shuts Down Troy & Harris Casting Feud
Author Rachel Reid Defends ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Casting Choices
The Big News: New Faces Join the Ice
Popular hockey romance series Heated Rivalry is getting ready for its second season, and the author of the original books is speaking up about the new cast members.
Rachel Reid — the writer whose Game Changers novels inspired the show — took to Instagram to respond to online criticism about two brand-new characters joining the Ottawa Centaurs hockey team.
Meet the New Characters
| Actor | Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Gillespie | Troy Barrett | A professional hockey player traded to the Ottawa Centaurs |
| Justice Smith | Harris Drover | The team’s social media manager |
Their developing relationship is the heart of Role Model, the fifth book in Reid’s Game Changers series.
Important Point: The show is based on a book series where each installment focuses on a different couple. Season 1 followed Ilya and Shane. Season 2 shifts focus to Troy and Harris!
What Sparked the Controversy?
Some fans weren’t happy with the casting announcement. Here’s why:
- The criticism: Harris is described as "chubbier" than the hockey players in the books
- The complaint: Justice Smith is a "skinny" actor, leading some to say the casting doesn’t match the source material
- The pattern: This isn’t the first time — Reid mentioned similar backlash last summer about the casting of Ilya (Connor Storrie) and Shane (Hudson Williams)
Rachel Reid’s Response: "We’ve Seen This Before"
Reid posted on her Instagram story with a simple but powerful message:
"Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…"
Her point? Fans criticized the first season’s leads too — and that worked out just fine.
The Showrunners Stand By Their Choice
Jacob Tierney (showrunner) and Brendan Brady (executive producer) released an official statement backing the casting:
What they loved about Justice and Charlie:
- Instant chemistry — They "immediately connected" during auditions
- Deep understanding — Both actors grasped the "vulnerability and resilience" at the core of their characters
- Special something — The team knew they wanted actors who could "create something truly special together"
Important Point: The creators prioritized emotional authenticity and on-screen chemistry over exact physical matching to book descriptions.
Where We Left Off: Season 1 Recap
Before diving into season 2, here’s a quick refresher:
| Character | Actor | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Ilya Rozanov | Connor Storrie | Russian hockey player |
| Shane Hollander | Hudson Williams | Ilya’s teammate-turned-boyfriend |
Season 1 ending: Ilya chooses to join the struggling Ottawa Centaurs to be closer to Shane, his now-boyfriend. This sets up the Ottawa setting for season 2!
Season 2 Production Details
Here’s what we know so far:
- Renewed early — Crave picked up season 2 during season 1’s run
- HBO Max staying on — Will continue airing the series internationally
- Filming starts — This month (when the article was published)
- Target release — Spring 2027
- Writing team expanded — Mike Goldbach joins Jacob Tierney as co-writer
Production Team:
- Jacob Tierney — Writer, Director, Executive Producer
- Brendan Brady & Jayme Alter Wilson — Executive Producers
- Lori Fischburg & Liane Cunje — Producers
- Rachel Reid — Consulting Producer (author involvement!)
- Mike Goldbach — Co-writer (new for season 2)
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
This situation highlights something important about book-to-screen adaptations:
| Book World | Screen World |
|---|---|
| Readers imagine characters their own way | Casting directors choose real actors |
| Physical descriptions are fixed | Chemistry and performance matter most |
| Fans get attached to their version | Creators must make practical choices |
Reid’s message: Trust the process. The team knows these characters deeply — they created them!
Summary
- Heated Rivalry season 2 adds Charlie Gillespie (Troy) and Justice Smith (Harris)
- Some fans criticized Harris’s casting for not matching the book’s "chubbier" description
- Author Rachel Reid clapped back, noting similar criticism happened with season 1’s leads
- Showrunners defend the choice — emphasizing chemistry, vulnerability, and instinctive character understanding
- Season 2 films now, aims for spring 2027 release on Crave and HBO Max
- The story shifts to Ottawa, following Ilya’s move from season 1’s finale
FAQ
Is Heated Rivalry based on books?
Yes! It’s adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. Each book focuses on a different couple. Season 1 covered the first book (Ilya & Shane). Season 2 adapts Role Model (book 5), featuring Troy & Harris.
Why are fans upset about Harris’s casting?
In the books, Harris is described as heavier/chubbier than the hockey players. Justice Smith is a slender actor, so some fans feel the physical description wasn’t honored.
Did the author approve this casting?
Yes! Rachel Reid serves as a consulting producer on the show and publicly defended the casting on Instagram. She’s involved in the production.
When does season 2 come out?
The show is filming now and targeting a spring 2027 release on Crave (Canada) and HBO Max (international).
Will Ilya and Shane be in season 2?
The article doesn’t confirm, but since Ilya moved to Ottawa at the end of season 1 to be with Shane, and season 2 is set in Ottawa with the Centaurs, it’s very likely they’ll appear — even if the main focus shifts to Troy and Harris.
Who writes the show?
Jacob Tierney is the showrunner (writer, director, EP). For season 2, Mike Goldbach joins as co-writer. Rachel Reid consults.
Happy watching! Whether you’re team "book accuracy" or team "trust the creators," one thing’s for sure — Heated Rivalry season 2 is coming, and it’s bringing new love stories to the ice.
