The world of hockey romance is abuzz once again as Crave’s “Heated Rivalry” welcomes five new additions to its cast. Emily Hampshire, a Canadian actress renowned for her roles in “Schitt’s Creek” and “12 Monkeys,” will portray Vanessa, a sex shop employee. Joining her are Sabrina Jalees, a Canadian comedian and actress, as sports agent Farah Jalali, and Priyanka, the winner of the first season of “Canada’s Drag Race,” as Tarek, an office assistant.
In addition, Robert Naylor, a Canadian actor and musician known for voicing D.W. Read in “Arthur,” will play goaltender Wyatt Hayes, and Edvin Ryding, a Swedish actor recognized for his role in Netflix’s “Young Royals,” will take on the character of rookie hockey player Luca Haas.
The new casting details were shared on Instagram by Crave, revealing that the upcoming season two of “Heated Rivalry” will continue to follow the love story of hockey rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from Rachel Reid’s “Game Changer” series, specifically focusing on the sixth novel, “The Long Game.” The series, set in a shared universe with overlapping character narratives, has garnered significant attention and anticipation.
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are set to reprise their lead roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the TV adaptation. The first season of the show covered the first two books in Reid’s series, “Game Changer” and “Heated Rivalry,” with expectations high for the incorporation of the third novel, “Tough Guy,” into the upcoming season. The characters Vanessa and Tarek are expected to play pivotal roles as friends of Fabian Salah, the love interest of hockey player Ryan Price in “Tough Guy.”
Moreover, the show will integrate storylines from the fifth novel, “Role Model,” featuring Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s new team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager. Justice Smith has been cast as Harris, while Charlie Gillespie from “Julie and the Phantoms” will take on the role of Troy. The second season of “Heated Rivalry” is slated for a spring 2027 premiere, promising fans more drama and romance in the world of hockey.