The cast of the hit ice hockey romance drama “Heated Rivalry” keeps getting bigger. Milla Jovovich, famous for her action roles in “Resident Evil” and “The Fifth Element,” has signed on for Season 2 of the popular Crave and HBO Max series. She will play Dr. Galina Molchalina, a therapist who works with one of the main characters. The announcement came on September 3, 2026, and also confirmed two other major actors joining the show.
Jovovich Takes on a Dramatic Role as Ilya’s Therapist
Milla Jovovich is stepping away from her usual action-packed roles to play a therapist in this romantic drama series. Her character, Dr. Galina Molchalina, is the therapist that Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov sees as he deals with depression and anxiety.
The casting choice is interesting because Jovovich’s own mother is named Galina. This personal connection adds a special touch to her playing a character with the same name. Jovovich shared the news of her casting on her Instagram page with an exciting message.
“Let’s bring up the heat baby. Watch out guys, the Sheriff’s coming to town. Heated Rivalry is about to enter the kitchen and you know what they say about it if it’s too hot…”
Kevin Zegers and Paul Gross Also Join Season 2
The casting announcement brought two more well-known actors to the show. Kevin Zegers, known for his work in “Transamerica” and “The Madison,” will play Coach Brandon Wiebe. Coach Wiebe is the rookie head coach of the Ottawa Centaurs, the team Ilya plays for in the second season. Zegers’ character is described as one of the more beloved characters from the book series.
Paul Gross, a famous Canadian actor best known for playing Constable Benton Fraser on “Due South,” will play Commissioner Roger Crowell. Crowell is the commissioner of the fictional professional hockey league and serves as a villain in the story. He pressures players to stay in the closet and threatens them for speaking out on social issues.
What to Expect from Season 2
Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” will mostly adapt “The Long Game,” which is the sixth book in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series. The story picks up with Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov after they have been secretly seeing each other for ten years.
While Ilya wants to make their relationship public, Shane worries that coming out could hurt their careers. The season will also include stories from the fifth book, “Role Model,” and the third book, “Tough Guy”.
The main leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will return as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The show follows these two rival hockey players who hide their love behind a fierce competition on the ice.
A Growing Cast of Talented Actors
The second season has a large and diverse cast joining the show. Other newcomers include Justice Smith as Harris Drover and Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett. Daniel Diemer will play Ryan Price, and Shaheen Jafargholi will play Fabian Salah.
The cast also includes Emily Hampshire from “Schitt’s Creek” and drag queen Priyanka. Returning from Season 1 are François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. as Scott Hunter and Kip Grady. Sophie Nélisse returns as Rose Landry, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova returns as Svetlana.
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When and Where to Watch Season 2
“Heated Rivalry” Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2027. More specifically, reports point to an April 2027 release date. The show will be available on HBO Max in the United States, and on Crave in Canada. In the UK, the series will stream on Sky and NOW.
The first season of the show became a major hit, with episodes reportedly averaging more than 10 million viewers. The series originally premiered on Crave before gaining a larger international audience after its HBO Max debut.
Behind the Scenes
The show is created by Jacob Tierney, who also serves as writer, director, and executive producer. It is based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling “Game Changers” book series, and Reid herself works as a consulting producer on the show.
The series is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media-owned Crave. Filming for Season 2 has already started.
Also Read: Heated Rivalry Season 2 Cast: Every Returning Star and New Addition Confirmed So Far
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