Jack Innanen finally put months of speculation to rest. The 27-year-old Canadian actor, who had become a fan-favorite casting choice for the hit Crave series Heated Rivalry, confirmed at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, 2026, that he will not be appearing in the upcoming second season.
While addressing reports that he was offered a starring role but had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts, Innanen remained gracious about the missed opportunity.
Why Jack Innanen Couldn’t Join the Show
Innanen, known for his roles in Adults on FX and Big Mistakes on Netflix, had long campaigned for a part in the hockey romance drama. He frequently joked about practicing his stick handling and improving his hip mobility for a potential role as fan-favorite book characters like Troy Barrett or Wyatt Hayes.
However, when asked about the situation at the Adults season 2 premiere, the actor confirmed the unfortunate news. He reportedly received an offer for a starring role but was forced to decline due to production conflicts. While he did not specify the exact character he was in talks to play, reports have long speculated he was eyed for either Troy Barrett or Wyatt Hayes, new characters set to be introduced in the sophomore run.
“I think it’s such an incredible show, and it didn’t work out. But I love Jacob, I love everyone involved. I’m just excited to see what they do for the second season.”
A ‘Whirlwind’ Schedule for the Rising Star
The primary reason for the scheduling clash appears to be Innanen’s increasingly packed calendar. Following his breakout role in the first season of Adults, he is set to reprise his role as Paul Baker for the show’s second season, which held its premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 11.
Additionally, he is expected to return for the recently renewed second season of Big Mistakes on Netflix, a commitment that reportedly contributed to the timing issues.
“It was too bad it didn’t go that way. It’s wild to be recognized as a character for the first time… I’m grateful for it all. It has been a whirlwind.”
A ‘Devastating’ Blow to Fan Casting Dreams
The Heated Rivalry fandom, known for its passionate online engagement, reacted with disappointment to the confirmation. Innanen had become the top choice for many viewers to bring specific roles from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series to life.
Despite the letdown, Innanen left the door open for a potential collaboration down the line. When asked about the possibility of joining a third season, he hinted, “Maybe season 3, yeah. [We’ll] see what they do.”
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What’s Next for Heated Rivalry?
With Innanen out of the running, production on Heated Rivalry Season 2 is still moving full steam ahead. Filming is expected to begin later this summer in Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal.
The upcoming season will largely focus on the source material from Reid’s novel The Long Game, continuing the secret romance between rival hockey stars Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). The season is slated to premiere in spring 2027.
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