Production on Heated Rivalry Season 2 has officially started. The popular hockey romance series from Crave kicked off filming on August 17, 2026, with the official social media account sharing a simple “Day 1” photo from the set. Showrunner Jacob Tierney and producers shared the first look at the upcoming season, confirming that the cameras are now rolling.
The show, which became a global hit after its November 2025 premiere, is bringing back leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The second season will continue their secret romance while introducing several new characters from author Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series.
Production Officially Underway in Toronto
Filming for Heated Rivalry Season 2 began in Toronto, where the cast and crew have been spotted around the city. The production team posted a photo of a clapperboard with “HR” branding on Instagram, marking the official start of shooting.
Jacob Tierney, who serves as writer, director, and executive producer, expressed his excitement in the comments section, writing “Wheeeeee”. Crave’s official account also commented, “And it begins”.
Fans have been speculating about filming locations. Some reports suggest production may have taken place at Iceland Mississauga, an Olympic-sized ice rink, though this has not been officially confirmed. The show’s first season filmed across Ontario, including locations in Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, and Muskoka.
Five New Cast Members Join the Series
The casting announcements have been rolling out over the past few weeks. Emily Hampshire, known for her role in “Schitt’s Creek” and the upcoming Marvel series “VisionQuest,” has joined the cast as Vanessa.
Edvin Ryding, star of the hit Swedish series “Young Royals,” will play Luca Haas, a young hockey player. Ryding commented “LETSGOOOO” on the production announcement post.
Robert Naylor, who voiced DW in the classic cartoon “Arthur,” will portray Wyatt Hayes. He responded to the filming news with a heart-eye emoji.
Sabrina Jalees, known for her work in “Black Mirror,” has been cast as Farah Jalali, a sports agent. Priyanka, winner of the first season of “Canada’s Drag Race,” will play Tarek.
These five new actors join previously announced cast members Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie Lead a New Romance
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie would join the series as leads alongside Williams and Storrie.
Smith will play Harris Drover, the openly gay social media manager for the Ottawa Centaurs hockey team. Gillespie will portray Troy Barrett, a closeted hockey player who gets traded to the Centaurs. Their characters are the central couple from Reid’s fifth Game Changers book, “Role Model”.
The addition of Smith and Gillespie means Season 2 will feature two main couples rather than just one. Their storyline will run alongside Shane and Ilya’s continuing journey.
What to Expect From the Story
Season 2 will primarily adapt “The Long Game,” the sixth book in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. This novel is the second book focusing on Shane and Ilya’s relationship.
The new season will explore what happens when Shane and Ilya move from a secret fling to an actual committed relationship. At the end of Season 1, Shane came out to his parents, and the two officially became boyfriends.
“I want to dig deeper. Because everything in her book, there is the foundation of a very real and understandable queer relationship. And I didn’t want to shy away from it. I wanted to dig into it.” – Jacob Tierney, series creator
The season will also weave in storylines from “Role Model,” the fifth book in the series, which features overlapping characters and a concurrent timeline. Some elements from “Tough Guy,” the third book, may also appear, as characters Vanessa and Tarek from that story have been cast.
The show will follow Ilya’s transition to the Ottawa Centaurs and his struggles with mental health, while Shane deals with the pressures of keeping their relationship secret from the league.
Expected Release Date and Streaming Info
Heated Rivalry Season 2 is expected to premiere in April 2027. The show was renewed for a second season in December 2025, just two weeks after its first season premiered.
The series airs on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max internationally. In India, the show is available on Lionsgate Play. The series is distributed in more than 130 countries worldwide.
Season 1 premiered on Crave in November 2025 before arriving on HBO Max, where it gained widespread popularity. The show broke Crave’s record for biggest original series debut and became the most in-demand Canadian series globally in 2025.
Related:
Fan Reactions to the News
Fans have been expressing their excitement across social media platforms. The “Day 1” post from the Heated Rivalry account generated significant engagement, with cast members and viewers sharing their enthusiasm.
Kaden Connors, who played Sasha in Season 1, commented “Yippee” on the post, though fans questioned whether his character would return since Sasha does not appear in “The Long Game”.
The casting announcements have sparked discussions about how the show will adapt multiple books from Reid’s series and which characters might appear in future seasons.
The series also recently won awards at the Galeca Dorian TV Awards and set a Guinness World Record, adding to the anticipation for the new season.
Also Read: ‘Heated Rivalry’ and ‘Hacks’ Dominate 2026 Dorian TV Awards with Multiple Wins
Stay updated with the latest entertainment news and updates on VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply