Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie Join 'Heated Rivalry' Season 2
The queer hockey romance series expands its ensemble as production begins in Canada for a spring 2027 premiere.
Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have joined the cast of the queer hockey romance series 'Heated Rivalry' for its second season. The duo will portray Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively, as the show expands its narrative scope.
Smith takes on the role of Harris Drover, the social media manager for the Ottawa Centaurs. Gillespie joins as Troy Barrett, a professional hockey player traded to the Ottawa Centaurs. The new additions will appear alongside returning leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Production for the new season has commenced in Canada, with a scheduled premiere window of spring 2027.
Expanding the Game Changers Universe
Created by Jacob Tierney, 'Heated Rivalry' is a Crave Original that streams on HBO Max in the United States. The series is based on the 'Game Changers' novel series by Rachel Reid. While the first season focused on the intense rivalry and eventual romance between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov—adapting the book 'Heated Rivalry' and portions of 'Game Changer'—the second season will broaden its reach.
Production confirmed that Season 2 will adapt two separate novels from Reid's series: 'The Long Game,' which continues the journey of Shane and Ilya, and 'Role Model,' which introduces the relationship between Troy and Harris. Executive producers Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady noted that Reid provided "beautifully layered characters" in Harris and Troy, stating that Smith and Gillespie embody those roles perfectly.
Industry Impact and Scale
The addition of established actors like Smith and Gillespie signals a significant increase in the scale of the production. Following its debut in late 2025, the series evolved into a global phenomenon, driving demand for more expansive storytelling within the queer sports genre. By adapting multiple books simultaneously, the series is moving toward an ensemble format, allowing it to explore a wider array of queer athletes and professional staff operating within the high-pressure environment of professional hockey.
Looking Ahead
As filming continues in Canada, the industry will be watching how the series balances the established chemistry of Williams and Storrie with the new dynamic introduced by Smith and Gillespie. While the spring 2027 release date is set, further details regarding the specific episode count and additional supporting cast members remain unconfirmed.