Two fresh faces will be featured in Season 2 of the hit series, “Heated Rivalry,” with the casting news receiving mixed reactions from fans looking for greater representation of body diversity. Crave announced on Friday that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie will be joining the cast of the popular hockey romance show.
Gillespie, known for his role in the movie “One Night Only,” will portray Troy Barrett, a forward on the Ottawa Centaurs. He has previously appeared in the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms.” On the other hand, Smith, recognized for his performances in various films including “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” will take on the role of Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager.
These characters, Troy and Harris, are central figures in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, specifically in the fifth book titled “Role Model,” upon which “Heated Rivalry” is based. The show’s second season will continue following the main characters from the first season, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, intertwining their story with that of Troy and Harris.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their confidence in the new cast members, highlighting their ability to bring depth and authenticity to their roles. In response to the announcement, fans have shared a range of reactions, with some expressing excitement while others voiced disappointment over the lack of body diversity in the casting of Harris.
Fans like @geeky_spice have shown enthusiasm for Justice Smith’s involvement, while others like user @Jax expressed a desire for more representation of diverse body types on screen. Despite the mixed reactions, the producers of “Heated Rivalry” declined to comment further on the casting choices.
The show’s growing popularity has also led to increased attention on the actors, as seen with the newfound fame of the actors portraying Ilya and Shane. Reid hinted at this progression on social media, reflecting on past criticisms of the casting choices and the subsequent success of the series.
As filming for Season 2 progresses, fans eagerly anticipate its release in Spring 2027. The excitement surrounding the show has been palpable, with fans closely following updates on the production. Director Jacob Tierney has requested fans to respect the privacy of the cast and crew during filming, underscoring the fervor surrounding the show’s upcoming season.