Two fresh faces are set to join the cast of the highly anticipated Season 2 of Crave’s popular hockey series, “Heated Rivalry.” Canadian actor Daniel Diemer, recognized for his role as Tyson in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will take on the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi, known for his upcoming appearance in HBO’s “War,” will portray Fabian Salah, a musician and Ryan’s love interest.
The duo will embody the lead characters from Rachel Reid’s best-selling hockey romance novel series, “Game Changers,” specifically from the third installment, “Tough Guy.” The story revolves around pro hockey enforcer Ryan, who, upon joining the Toronto team, encounters Fabian, an aspiring musician with whom he shares a past connection. Despite the passage of time, their undeniable chemistry rekindles, raising the question of whether a future together might require Ryan to sacrifice his hockey career.
According to writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady, “Fabian and Ryan bring unique dynamics to Rachel Reid’s world. They are complex, intriguing characters, and finding actors who could embody their multifaceted personalities was paramount to us. Daniel and Shaheen bring a sense of assurance and emotional authenticity to their roles. Audiences can look forward to witnessing how they bring Fabian and Ryan to life and make these characters their own.”
The upcoming season of “Heated Rivalry” will continue to follow the journey of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, former hockey rivals turned lovers, from Reid’s novel “The Long Game.” Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will reprise their roles in the TV adaptation. Additionally, the new season will incorporate the narratives of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book in the series, “Role Model.”
Recent casting announcements include Justice Smith as Harris and Charlie Gillespie, known for “Julie and the Phantoms,” as Troy. Joining the ensemble are Emily Hampshire from “Schitt’s Creek” and drag queen Priyanka. The second season of “Heated Rivalry” is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027.