'Heated Rivalry' Season 2: Everything We Know

In all my 30+ years, I have never watched a hockey game. I have, however, watched Heated Rivalry on HBO Max. The sexy hockey romance adapts the second book in Rachel Reid's Game Changer series (also titled Heated Rivalry). And while it hasn't taught me much about the sport, it has introduced me and countless others to the hockey romance genre. Let's just put it this way: We're hooked and demanding a season 2 ASAP.

Season 1 of Heated Rivalry introduced fans to Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie—two hockey players whose rivalry on the ice quickly turns into scorching hot sexual tension. The show begins in 2008, with season 1 following the beginning of their relationship. Neither Ilya nor Shane is publicly out with their sexuality, and while they have a habit of hooking up whenever they cross paths, they're also in no rush to make things official.

The six-episode season follows the first nine years of Shane and Ilya's romance, but fans of the original Heated Rivalry romance novel know this is a love story that spans decades. So it's only right that fans get more seasons. Below, we're breaking down everything we know about Heated Rivalry season 2.

Is 'Heated Rivalry' renewed for season 2?

Yes! The TV Gods have smiled upon us and granted us a season 2 of Heated Rivalry before season 1 was even over. The news was announced on the Heated Rivalry Instagram account along with a video of stars Storrie and Williams reading from The Long Game, the sixth book in the Game Changers series and the continuation of Shane and Ilya's love story.

In a separate video for HBO, Williams teased that season 2 would be “hotter, wetter, longer.”

When will 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 come out?

We've received news so hot it could melt ice! In late February, series creator Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady appeared on CBS Mornings and revealed the loose premiere date of April 2027, per Variety. They confirmed that production is set to begin this August, so the new episodes should arrive in the spring of next year.

Tierney said, "There will be more Heated Rivalry on your TVs truly as soon as humanly possible," and jokingly added that fans should "enjoy the yearn" in the meantime.

It seems the show is aligned to meet that August shooting schedule, as eagle-eyed fans spotted Storrie and Hudson in Toronto early in the month. That was all but confirmed when the production company behind the series shared a graphic asking fans not to interrupt filming.

"To our incredible fans and everyone who's been sharing in the excitement for the show: Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness have meant the world to us. As we gear up for more Heated Rivalry, please help us in making it the best it can be," the post reads. "If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best."

"We promise it'll be worth the wait," the message concludes. (We don't doubt it!)

Production on season 2 is moving at a more reasonable pace compared to season 1, which had a very quick turnaround. For example, according to Storrie's Instagram, season 1 wrapped filming in June 2025, only six months before premiering in late November. However, season 1 was only six episodes long, and the renewal wasn't guaranteed, so the team needs time to write the forthcoming installments this time around.

Tierney spoke about needing ample time to write season 2 shortly after the show debuted, and Williams later offered fans more context on why the new episodes would need to take longer. During an appearance on "Andy Cohen Live," the actor explained that season 1's quick turnaround was tough on the showrunner.

"[Season 1] adapted two books. What Jacob Tierney does for season 2, I don't know. But this killed him. I think what people don't know is, he was giving final cuts of the episodes two days before they screened," Williams explained, adding that Tierney "sounded like a ghoul" when the actor called him after the finale dropped.

Still, about a year and a half between seasons 1 and 2 is pretty reasonable in the streaming age, when some shows have been delayed for years. So, we'll take April 2027! Plus, it sounds like 2027 is gearing up to be a major Heated Rivalry year, with the next book in the series and third Hollanov romance, Unrivaled, due out in June 2027. In the meantime, fans looking for their hockey romance fix can always rewatch season 1 and read the Game Changer series.

What cast members are returning for 'Heated Rivalry' season 2?

With filming now underway, Crave has announced the full returning cast who will be joining Williams and Storrie, as they reprise their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.

After their fan-favorite debut in season 1, François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. will officially return to continue Scott Hunter and Kip Grady's love story. We'll also see more of the main couple's loved ones, including Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Shane's parents, Yuna and David.

Rounding out the returning cast is Sophie Nélisse as Rose, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana, Callan Potter as Hayden, Kamilla Kowal as Jackie, and Benjamin Roy as JJ.

What will 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 be about?

The video announcing season 2 makes it clear that the next batch of new episodes will adapt The Long Game by Rachel Reid. The 2022 romance book is technically the sequel to Ilya and Shane's Heated Rivalry story (though it's also Book 6 in the entire series). We can look to what unfolds in the book to predict what we might see on screen.

The Long Game picks up three years after the end of the Heated Rivalry novel, 10 years into their relationship. Ilya and Shane are still keeping their romance a secret, while the pressure of being professional athletes continues to weigh heavily. Ilya might be ready to take their relationship public, but Shane is still playing things close to the vest. Are they ready to risk it all to be together?

Tierney has spoken about how exciting it is to bring The Long Game to the screen—and how much of a change fans should expect from season 1, especially considering how "emotionally sophisticated" the source material is. "It’s different. It really is different," the series creator said while speaking at a BookCon event in April 2026, per Variety. "The challenge of it is, from an adaptation point of view, is that you’re in much more serious territory. A lot of the initial—there’s still lots of flirting and lots of sex—but this kind of danger, this kind of hotel-room-adolescent-sex stuff is largely gone. And so it presents really new challenges."

Tierney added that Ilya and Shane will always be "the heartbeat" of the TV show, but that season 2 will, in fact, adapt parts of the other books in the Game Changers series. He explained that Role Model, the fifth installment, will feed into the plot. If you have yet to read Role Model, the book follows hockey star Troy, who has been traded to the Ottawa Centaurs, as he deals with a breakup and scandal. While he's unenthused about playing on the struggling team, his attitude starts to change when he meets their social media manager, Harris.

As book fans are well aware, there's a direct tie-in to the Ilya and Shane story. In Role Model, Ilya and Shane have followed through on their plan to move to Ottawa, and Troy's captain is none other than the Russian star athlete himself.

According to casting news unveiled in late August 2026 (more on that below), season 2 will also introduce the love story from the third installment in the series, Tough Guy. The events in Tough Guy—about enforcer Ryan Price's struggles with anxiety and his second-chance romance with his childhood friend, musician Fabian—take place in Toronto, though Ryan eventually joins Ilya's Ottawa team.

Season 2 won't be the first time the show adapts other books in the series. Episode 3, “Hunter,” was based on the first book in the queer series, also called Game Changers. The episode introduced the story of New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter, played by François Arnaud, and his secret boyfriend, Kip (Robbie G.K.), but only told part of their story. There's certainly more that we could see there, but the word is still out on whether that will make it into season 2.

However, we do know for sure that Heated Rivalry won't lose any steam going into season 2. Tierney told Etalk that he wants the show always to evoke “horny joy,” and it's safe to say that he'll be taking that mission into the new season.

Who are the new cast members in 'Heated Rivalry' season 2?

When Tierney confirmed season 2 would also adapt Role Model, that inevitably meant newcomers would join the series as Troy and Harris. As the show began production in August 2026, those castings were unveiled. Justice Smith (I Saw the TV Glow, Now You See Me: Now You Don't) and Charlie Gillespie (One Night Only, Splitsville) are officially Heated Rivalry's newest couple. They'll play Harris and Troy, respectively. While season 1 introduced the world to fresh faces in Storrie and Williams, the latest pair are a bit more veteran actors, as Smith has appeared in movies and TV shows since his teens and Gillespie has been on the rise in recent years, especially since starring in Netflix's Julie and the Phantoms.

The team behind the show shared a joint statement when Smith and Gillespie were cast, via Deadline. Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady said, "Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root...From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen. Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are."

The excitement over the casting of the new stars hasn't stopped some naysayers from voicing their opinions. Namely, some fans are disappointed that Smith will play Harris, who is described as plus-sized in the books.

Reid immediately came to Smith's defense. After backlash surfaced on social media, the author wrote on her Instagram Story, "Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…"

The actor also weighed in, expressing how "honored" he is to take on the character and hoping fans will trust that he's in good hands. "I have to say I am moved by the support and love I’m getting from fans in my DMs, fans who have welcomed me with open arms and who already feel a responsibility to protect me,” Smith wrote in an Instagram Story. "I am honored to play a character you all care about deeply and I promise I will take good care of him if you give me the chance. I am beyond excited for this experience."

Considering season 1 blew fans away largely because of Storrie and Williams' performances, it's safe to assume Harris and Troy will be in safe hands, too.

Even more cult-loved characters from the books will be making their on-screen debut in season 2. We'll soon meet star Ottawa Centaurs goalie and queer ally Wyatt Hayes, as he'll be played by Canadian actor Robert Naylor (Mile End Kicks, Ghost Town Anthology). Deadline unveiled his casting in August 2026, alongside several other newcomers, including Emily Hampshire (Schitt's Creek) as Vanessa, Swedish star Edvin Ryding of Young Royals fame as Swiss Centaurs rookie Luca Haas, Sabrina Jalees (I Used to Be Funny) as sports agent Farah Jalali, and Canadian drag star/singer Priyanka as Tarek.

If book devotees thought that the additions of Vanessa and Tarek meant we'd eventually meet the on-screen version of their BFF and the lead of the novel Tough Guy, Fabian, they'd be right. Welsh Britain's Got Talent alum Shaheen Jafargholi will play the Lebanese hockey player and love interest of grizzled guy enforcer Ryan Price. Ryan, meanwhile, will be played by Daniel Diemer (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

We'll have to wait and see whether they get a standalone episode or simply feed into Shane and Ilya's story, but Tierney and Brady have hyped up their casting. "Fabian and Ryan each bring a distinctive energy to the world Rachel Reid has created,” the executive producers said in a joint statement. “They are bold, complicated, and deeply compelling characters, and finding actors who could really take on all of those different sides was so important to us. Daniel and Shaheen bring such confidence and emotional honesty to the roles. We can’t wait for audiences to see what they do with Fabian and Ryan and how they make these characters their own.”

In September 2026, the series rounded out the cast with more pivotal characters from The Long Game. Coach Weibe, the head coach for the Ottawa Centaurs, will be played by Kevin Zegers (Gossip Girl, The Rookie: Feds). The professional hockey league’s hostile commissioner Roger Crowell will be played by Canadian actor and writer Paul Gross (Alias Grace, Tales of the City). Meanwhile, The Fifth Element and Resident Evil star Milla Jovovich has signed on to play Dr. Gallina Molchalin, Ilya's Russian-speaking therapist.

How many seasons will 'Heated Rivalry' have?

With the massive success of Heated Rivalry, it makes sense to wonder whether the series could continue after the upcoming second season. And that's not just the fandom psychosis talking; we have receipts from the show's stars themselves.

In their cover story for GQ Hype, Williams and Storrie (a.k.a. HudCon) revealed that they both signed on for three seasons of the show. Although this is a common practice in TV, fans responded to the news by speculating whether The Long Game could be split into two seasons or if the show would inevitably bring to life Unrivaled and run for four installments. With the ongoing hype, Crave and HBO Max may not be willing to let Heated Rivalry end at just two seasons.

In April 2026, Jacob Tierney hinted that a popular fan theory may be coming true. Speaking to Deadline, the creator coyly teased that season 2 may not be able to cover all of Shane and Ilya's The Long Game story. "Who said I’m doing it all? There’s a lot of material," he said.

Tierney also revealed that he's brought on North of North producer Michael Goldbach to co-write the upcoming episodes. "We’re just continuing to give Shane and Ilya the seriousness that this love affair deserves while also continuing to exist within the confines of the genre that we’re in, which I love," Tierney added. "I want them to be happy, but I also want to show that that’s not easy. Because part of what Rachel does so brilliantly in her writing is to give queerness joy, but also not pretend the world isn’t the world. It’s not like she created this world where it’s like, there’s no homophobia and hockey’s amazing, and anyone can come out. No. She shows it’s difficult, takes courage, guts, and sacrifice, and takes stepping up and saying things with your full chest. And that to me is a triumph. That’s what we’re trying to do here."