Two fresh faces are set to debut in the upcoming season of the hit series, “Heated Rivalry,” but the recent casting news has stirred controversy among fans regarding the representation of body diversity from the books. Crave officially announced the addition of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie to the cast on Friday.
Gillespie, a talent from New Brunswick known for his role in “One Night Only,” will portray Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. He has previously featured in the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms.” On the other hand, Justice Smith, recognized for his appearances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” will take on the role of Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager.
The characters Troy and Harris, central to “Role Model,” the fifth installment in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, will be introduced in the second season of “Heated Rivalry.” The show is set to continue following the journey of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander while weaving in the story of Troy and Harris.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their confidence in the chosen actors’ ability to bring depth and authenticity to the characters. The casting announcement emphasized the actors’ connection to the vulnerability and resilience of Harris and Troy.
The fan response to the casting news has been polarized. While some fans eagerly anticipate the new additions, others have voiced disappointment over Smith’s casting as Harris. They feel it missed an opportunity to showcase a more diverse range of body types on screen.
Comments on Crave’s social media posts unveiling the cast reflect a mix of emotions from fans. While many praise Justice Smith’s past performances and look forward to his role in “Heated Rivalry,” others express a desire for better representation of body diversity in romantic roles.
The upcoming season, slated for release in Spring 2027, has already commenced filming. Fans are eagerly following the progress, with actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams gaining significant recognition following the show’s global success. Director Tierney has requested fans to respect the cast and crew’s space during filming.
The casting choices and fan reactions mirror the initial controversy surrounding the selection of Ilya and Shane’s actors in the series, underscoring the ongoing debate around on-screen representation and character portrayals.