Heated Rivalry Season 2 is bringing back nine familiar stars from the first season. The second installment of the sports romance series will return with lead stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who reprise their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Deadline reports that François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. are returning as Scott and Kip. Sophie Nélisse is back as Rose, while Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova reprises Svetlana. Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh will again play Shane’s parents, Yuna and David.
Callan Potter also returns as Shane’s best friend Hayden, and Benjamin Roy is back as teammate JJ. Kamilla Kowal completes the list of nine returning stars as Hayden’s wife, Jackie. The actors join the previously announced Season 2 additions, including Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi.
Season 2 adapts Rachel Reid’s sequel novel The Long Game
The new season will adapt Rachel Reid’s The Long Game, the sixth book in her Game Changers series. Its story is a direct sequel to Heated Rivalry and will also include elements from Reid’s fifth book, Role Model.
The Long Game follows Shane and Ilya after they have secretly been together for 10 years. Ilya wants them to make their relationship public, while Shane worries that going public could affect his career and standing in hockey.
The first season adapted Reid’s Heated Rivalry and followed the two players from their early days as rivals. Their private relationship grew over the years as they dealt with their careers, feelings and public image.
Jacob Tierney created the series and continues as its writer, director and executive producer. Mike Goldbach is joining him as a co-writer for the second season. Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson also executive produce.
Heated Rivalry is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment with Bell Media’s Crave. Rachel Reid serves as consulting producer, while Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje are producers.
The series is scheduled to return in spring 2027 on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the U.S. Sphere Abacus handles international distribution. Season 1 is available in more than 130 countries.
Originally reported by Surya Singh on ComingSoon.net.
