Two fresh faces have been added to the cast of “Heated Rivalry” for its upcoming Season 2, but the casting news has stirred up some backlash from fans who were anticipating more diversity in body representation. Crave officially announced on Friday that the ensemble of the immensely popular hockey romance series will be broadening with the inclusion of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
Gillespie, a talent from New Brunswick who recently starred in the film “One Night Only,” will be taking on the role of Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. Notably, he previously featured in the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms,” which was discontinued after one season.
Meanwhile, Smith, recognized for his performances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” is set to portray Harris Drover, the social media manager for the Centaurs. Harris and Troy serve as the central characters in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series’ fifth book, “Role Model,” which serves as the basis for the show’s narrative. Crave has confirmed that Season 2 will continue to follow the journey of the first season’s main characters, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, while intertwining the story of Troy and Harris.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their confidence in the new cast members, stating, “Justice and Charlie possess the ability to forge something truly remarkable together and bring authenticity and depth to their characters on screen.”
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from fans. While some are thrilled by the casting news, others have voiced disappointment regarding Smith’s portrayal of Harris, citing a missed opportunity for more inclusivity in showcasing diverse body types on screen. BookTok content creator Taylor Layne shared her sentiments in a TikTok video, emphasizing the significance of body diversity representation, especially in a series focused on athletic individuals.
Comments on Crave’s social media platforms have highlighted the divided opinions among fans, with some expressing enthusiasm for Smith’s performance and others lamenting the lack of representation for different body types in romantic roles.
As the production for Season 2 progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the series’ return in Spring 2027. Tierney recently urged fans to respect the cast and crew’s privacy during filming, emphasizing the importance of giving them space to work.