According to Crave, the casting announcement for Season 2 of Heated Rivalry has sparked criticism from fans hoping for more book-accurate body diversity, even as the series expands its cast to include Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie. The adaptation of Rachel Reid’s hockey romance series, which confirmed the casting additions on Friday, continues to follow primary characters Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander while introducing central figures from the fifth book, Role Model.
Season 2 Casting Details and Character Roles
Charlie Gillespie will play Troy Barrett, a forward on the Ottawa Centaurs, according to Crave’s announcement. Gillespie hails from New Brunswick and recently appeared in the movie One Night Only alongside a role in the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms. Justice Smith has been tapped to play Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager. Smith is known for his roles in I Saw the TV Glow, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady stated in the casting announcement that both actors immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters.
Fan Reaction and Body Diversity Debate
While some viewers welcomed the news, others expressed disappointment over Smith’s casting, pointing to how the character of Harris is written in Rachel Reid’s novels. According to BookTok content creator Taylor Layne, who posts under Taylor Just Reads, Harris is described in the text as a little pudgy and unathletic, featuring a broad chest, solid body, soft belly, stocky build, and rugged appearance. Layne noted on TikTok that losing this specific representation felt like a missed opportunity for plus-size queer visibility in a media landscape dominated by athletic bodies. Comments on Crave’s Instagram and TikTok channels reflected a split response, with some fans praising Smith’s acting track record while others shared frustrations regarding the lack of body diversity in romantic lead roles.
Pro Tip: When following book-to-screen adaptations, character physical descriptions in source material often spark intense casting debates online, highlighting differing expectations between readers and production teams.
Parallels to Season 1 Controversy and Author Response
Several fans noted that the initial casting of Ilya and Shane also drew criticism when first announced, before actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams achieved widespread recognition through the show’s international success. Author Rachel Reid addressed the online discussion over the weekend by sharing an Instagram story featuring a side-eye selfie and the caption, “Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…” Smith also addressed supporters via an Instagram story on Sunday, stating he was moved by messages from fans who welcomed him and expressed a desire to protect him in the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Heated Rivalry Season 2 be released?
The second season is slated to come out in Spring 2027.
Which books are covered in Season 2?
Season 2 continues to follow Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander while incorporating the story of Troy Barrett and Harris Drover from Rachel Reid’s fifth book, Role Model.
Who are the new cast members joining the show?
Justice Smith has been cast as Harris Drover, and Charlie Gillespie has been cast as Troy Barrett.
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