Dylan Walsh , who plays David Hollander on the hit Crave/HBO series Heated Rivalry, found himself in hot water after a Cameo video he recorded for a fan went viral online. The 62-year-old actor accidentally let slip that the cast is preparing to film 12 episodes for the upcoming season, double the number from season one.
The video, which was shared on TikTok by user @theawkoturtle on August 6, quickly spread across social media platforms. In the clip, Walsh mentioned he was getting ready to return to Canada for filming and casually dropped the episode count. The actor has since paused his Cameo account, which now shows he will not accept personalized video requests until August 2027.
What Dylan Walsh Said in the Viral Cameo Video
The now-viral clip shows Walsh speaking directly to a fan who had purchased a personalized message from him on Cameo. He started by talking about his experience on the show and then shared details about what’s coming next.
“I loved doing Heated Rivalry. I didn’t really do much in it, but I’m proud to be in it, and I wish every dad was as cool as Shane’s dad — the world would be a better place.”
He then continued: “Getting ready to go back up to Canada and shoot some more episodes… I think we’re doing 12 this time.”
The comment immediately caught the attention of fans because the first season of Heated Rivalry consisted of only six episodes. The number 12 sparked widespread speculation about what this means for the show’s future.
Why the 12-Episode Comment Caused Such a Buzz
Heated Rivalry became a cultural phenomenon after its 2025 release, drawing about 10 million viewers per episode in the US. The series, based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changers book series, follows the complicated relationship between two rival ice hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose professional competition turns into a deeply emotional romance.
The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney , had previously made it clear that he prefers keeping seasons to six episodes. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times earlier this year, Tierney said: “I don’t need to do 10. I would always rather tighten the belt than get loosey-goosey. I would rather be like, ‘Let’s see how much story we can pack into these episodes.’”
This makes Walsh’s comment particularly interesting. If the show is indeed filming 12 episodes, it goes against what Tierney had previously said about his preferred format.
Fans Speculate About Seasons 2 and 3 Being Filmed Together
The revelation of 12 episodes has led fans to believe that the production might be filming seasons two and three back-to-back. Since the first season had six episodes, 12 episodes would naturally split into two seasons of six episodes each.
One fan on X wrote: “Think this may mean that they are shooting S2 and S3, at once. Not 12 episodes for S2.”
Another fan commented: “Oh, David Hollander, that is Hayden Pike’s job, you don’t get to leak information. But I love it and am excited.”
A third user posted: “Haven’t seen him the whole time since hr ended and he resurges through a cameo spoiling the episode count.”
The speculation makes sense from a production standpoint. Both lead actors, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, have reportedly signed contracts for a three-season deal. Filming two seasons together would be more efficient and cost-effective for the production team.
Walsh Pauses Cameo Account After Getting in Trouble
After the video went viral, Walsh took action. He paused his Cameo account and added a message to his profile explaining his absence.
“Stepping away because a video went viral that got me in trouble.”
His Cameo account now shows that he is unavailable for personalized videos until August 2027. This is a significant pause, as Walsh had been making custom videos for fans on the platform since 2020.
The situation has an ironic twist. The upcoming season is primarily based on Rachel Reid’s book The Long Game, which includes a plot point involving a video going viral on a Cameo-like platform. Walsh’s real-life slip mirrors an element of the story his show is adapting.
Related: Heated Rivalry Season 2 Adds Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie as New Couple Harris and Troy
What We Know About Heated Rivalry Season 2 So Far
Production on season 2 began this month in Canada. The cast has reportedly assembled in the country as filming gets underway.
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will reprise their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Christina Chang is also expected to return as Yuna Hollander, Shane’s mother.
The new season will introduce two new characters from Reid’s books. Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have been cast as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett. Troy is a hockey player with a history of bullying, while Harris is the team’s cheerful social media manager.
Callan Potter has also hinted at his return to the series after sharing a photo of himself in hockey skates on his Instagram Story.
The show’s creator, Jacob Tierney, has asked fans to give the cast and crew space while they film. He posted on Instagram: “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.”
Season 2 Expected to Premiere in Spring 2027
Heated Rivalry season 2 is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027. The new episodes will continue Shane and Ilya’s secret relationship, picking up several years after the events of the first season.
Walsh’s character, David Hollander, discovered Shane and Ilya’s romance during the season 1 finale, giving him an important connection to the central couple. He is expected to return as David in the upcoming season.
The show became a surprise hit after its 2025 release, turning Williams and Storrie into breakout stars. The Crave Original found its audience through its mix of sports drama, romance, and queer representation.
Related:
Whether 12 Episodes Means One Long Season or Two Seasons Remains Unclear
While Walsh’s comment has generated plenty of excitement, there has been no official confirmation from Crave, HBO, or the show’s production team about the episode count.
The uncertainty has left fans guessing. Some believe the 12 episodes could be split into two parts, similar to how some streaming shows release seasons in two halves. Others think the production is simply filming seasons 2 and 3 together to ensure a quicker turnaround between releases.
The show’s creator has previously expressed his preference for shorter, tighter seasons. Whether that philosophy has changed remains to be seen.
For now, fans will have to wait for an official announcement. But one thing is certain: Dylan Walsh’s accidental slip has given Heated Rivalry fans plenty to talk about until the show returns in 2027.
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