Crave announced the cast for Heated Rivalry Season 2 on August 13, 2026. The new additions include Edvin Ryding as Luca Haas, Emily Hampshire as Vanessa, Robert Naylor as Wyatt Hayes, Sabrina Jalees as Farah Jalali, and Priyanka as Tarek. Shortly after the announcement, resurfaced screenshots of Ryding’s alleged social media activity sparked accusations of racism, xenophobia, and support for Zionism across platforms like X (formerly Twitter). This backlash has created a divide among fans of the show. Some supporters of the actor have countered the allegations by pointing to his pro-Palestine and anti-Trump posts.
The controversy also raises questions about the show’s casting choices and the handling of online discourse around its cast members. Ryding, known for his role in Young Royals and recent films like 28 Years Later and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the claims.
Why the Allegations Surfaced After the Casting Announcement
The controversy began when old screenshots allegedly showing Ryding’s likes on racist memes and pro-Trump, anti-immigration content started circulating again on social media. These posts, which range from targeting immigrants to Black people, led some fans to label him with harsh criticism. The timing of the resurfacing, immediately following the Season 2 cast reveal, intensified the reaction .
Some critics also drew comparisons to previous controversies involving other actors connected to the show, with one fan accusing the series of “collecting racist actors” . The screen images themselves do not conclusively prove Ryding endorses the views in those posts, but their spread has nevertheless created a significant backlash .
Supporters Point to Different Social Media Activity
Defenders of Edvin Ryding have presented other examples of his online activity to challenge the allegations. Fans point to his TikTok account, which they say contains significant pro-Palestine content. They also note that he liked a post from Kamala Harris during her campaign with Joe Biden and a post from Greta Thunberg criticizing President Donald Trump. Supporters argue these actions show he cannot be racist or a supporter of Trump .
One fan shared screenshots on X to defend him, stating, “he is NOT a zionist. go to his tiktok account and see his reposts. its full of pro-palestine content there” . The online evidence appears contradictory, with different users highlighting separate parts of his social media activity to build opposing cases about his personal views .
No Official Statement from the Actor or Crave Yet
As of August 16, 2026, Edvin Ryding has not released a public statement addressing the allegations or confirming whether he liked the posts in question. The streaming platform Crave, which announced the new cast, has also remained silent on the matter .
The lack of response has left the situation unresolved. Some fans believe prolonged silence could pressure the show to either recast the role or publicly address the allegations to protect the series’ future. Given the success of the first season, many observers think the production will not risk its reputation over one cast member .
Background on Edvin Ryding’s Career and Past Social Media Issues
This is not the first time Edvin Ryding has faced online scrutiny. In October 2023, the actor asked fans to stop making comments about his physical appearance on social media. After posting a picture with a new moustache, he faced numerous body-shaming remarks. He responded on X, saying, “Hello, I’d like to kindly ask you to stop making comments on my physical appearance. It’s making me uncomfortable. Thank you” .
In a 2022 interview with PinkNews, Ryding spoke about the importance of portraying normal teen bodies on mainstream TV. He said people often tell him they “feel seen” by the way the show portrayed humanity, noting it is “okay to look different” and “okay to have acne” or “different kinds of body sizes.” Series creator Lisa Ambjorn also highlighted the importance of “British casting where people actually look like humans that you live next door to” .
Related:
Heated Rivalry Season 2 Release Information
Heated Rivalry Season 2 is currently in production. The show is a Canadian hockey and drama series that follows two male hockey players who are rivals on the ice but begin a secret romance off it. The first season premiered in January 2026 and was a major success .
Release Schedule by Region:
- Canada: Spring 2027 (on Crave)
- USA: Spring 2027 (streaming details to be confirmed)
- UK: Spring 2027
- Australia: Spring 2027
- India: Spring 2027
The second season will debut in Spring 2027 . The show has not yet announced a specific premiere date. Fans eagerly await further updates from Crave regarding the exact release date and additional casting news.
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