Crave’s hit series Heated Rivalry is gearing up for its second season with the addition of five new cast members, enhancing its already star-studded lineup.
Key facts
Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, and Priyanka join the cast.
Season 2 will adapt characters from Rachel Reid's books Tough Guy, The Long Game, and Role Model.
The series premiered in November 2025 and became a cultural phenomenon.
Season 2 is set to shoot in Canada and is slated for a spring 2027 release.
Why it matters: The addition of these actors reflects the show's commitment to bringing diverse and engaging characters to life, continuing its successful adaptation of Rachel Reid’s beloved novels.
Emily Hampshire, known for her role in Schitt’s Creek, will portray Vanessa, a character from Reid’s Tough Guy.
Edvin Ryding, recognized for The Young Royals, takes on the role of Luca Haas, a rookie player on the Ottawa Centaurs.
Robert Naylor joins as Wyatt Hayes, the team’s goalie and a popular character in Reid’s series.
Sabrina Jalees will play Farah Jalali, an agent to the main characters, and Priyanka will portray Tarek, both also from Tough Guy.
Driving the news: The casting announcement follows last week’s reveal of new leads Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie, who will play Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively.
Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie are set to take center stage alongside returning stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
Williams and Storrie reprise their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two rival hockey players whose complex relationship is central to the series.
The show is based on Reid's Game Changers book series, which has resonated with fans for its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships in sports.
State of play:Heated Rivalry premiered in November 2025, quickly becoming a cultural sensation and averaging 10.6 million viewers per episode in the U.S.
The series was renewed for a second season just a month after its debut, solidifying its status as a breakout success.
It has won multiple awards, including a Peabody and GLAAD Award, highlighting its impact on LGBTQ+ representation in media.
Season 1 focused on the budding romance between Shane and Ilya, set against the backdrop of competitive hockey.
The big picture: Season 2 will continue to explore the relationship dynamics introduced in the first season, now incorporating characters from multiple books in Reid’s series.
The upcoming season will adapt The Long Game and Role Model, which will introduce new storylines and character arcs.
In The Long Game, Shane and Ilya navigate their commitment to each other in a high-pressure environment.
Meanwhile, Role Model will introduce Troy and Harris, adding fresh perspectives to the narrative.
What they’re saying: The excitement surrounding the casting and storyline developments has been echoed by fans and critics alike.
“The addition of these characters enriches the story and expands the universe of Reid’s books,” said a representative from Crave.
Fans are particularly eager to see how the new characters will interact with the established ones, especially in light of the series' focus on love and rivalry.
What’s next: Filming for Season 2 is set to begin in August 2026, with the series aiming for a spring 2027 release on HBO Max and Crave.
As production ramps up, anticipation continues to build for what will likely be another captivating installment of the series.
With a focus on both established and new characters, the upcoming season aims to deepen the narrative and explore the intricacies of love in a competitive sport.
The bottom line:Heated Rivalry is positioning itself for another successful season with a diverse cast and rich source material, ensuring that fans will have plenty to look forward to in the spring of 2027.