The hit Crave Original series Heated Rivalry is expanding its cast for Season 2, with Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie joining the upcoming season in leading roles. Smith will play Harris Drover, while Gillespie will appear as Troy Barrett.
The second season of Heated Rivalry is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2027 and will be available exclusively on Lionsgate Play in India. Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie join returning leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie for the new season.
Heated Rivalry Season 2 India Streaming Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | Heated Rivalry |
| Season | Season 2 |
| India Streaming Platform | Lionsgate Play |
| India Availability | Exclusive |
| Premiere | Spring 2027 |
| New Cast | Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie |
| Justice Smith as | Harris Drover |
| Charlie Gillespie as | Troy Barrett |
| Returning Leads | Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie |
| Creator | Jacob Tierney |
| Based On | Rachel Reid’s Game Changers books |
| Production | Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave |
| International Distributor | Sphere Abacus |
Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie Join Heated Rivalry
Justice Smith, known for projects including I Saw the TV Glow and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, has been cast as Harris Drover.
Charlie Gillespie, whose credits include One Night Only, Splitsville and Suze, will portray Troy Barrett.
The two actors join Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie among the leading cast members of the second season.
Series creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady said that Rachel Reid created Harris and Troy as layered characters and that the casting process focused on finding performers capable of bringing their vulnerability, resilience and emotional depth to the screen. According to the makers, Smith and Gillespie connected strongly with the core qualities of the two characters.
What Happened in Heated Rivalry Season 1?
The first season centred on rival hockey players Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Connor Storrie.
Their relationship begins amid professional ambition and intense rivalry, alongside an attraction neither initially understands. What starts as a secret relationship between two young hockey players gradually develops into a years-long journey involving love, denial and self-discovery.
Season 2 will continue the world established by the first instalment while introducing Harris Drover and Troy Barrett as major characters.
Based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers Books
Heated Rivalry is created by Jacob Tierney and is based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changers book series.
The series is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave. It was commissioned by Crave with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.
Jacob Tierney serves as writer, director and executive producer. Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson are executive producers, while Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje serve as producers.
Rachel Reid is consulting producer, and Mike Goldbach joins as a co-writer for Season 2.
Heated Rivalry Production Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Creator | Jacob Tierney |
| Writer & Director | Jacob Tierney |
| Executive Producers | Jacob Tierney, Brendan Brady, Jayme Alter Wilson |
| Producers | Lori Fischburg, Liane Cunje |
| Consulting Producer | Rachel Reid |
| Season 2 Co-Writer | Mike Goldbach |
| Production | Accent Aigu Entertainment |
| Commissioned By | Bell Media’s Crave |
| International Distribution | Sphere Abacus |
For Bell Media, the team includes Adam Feigen as Development Executive, Scripted Original Programming; Rachel Goldstein-Couto as Head of Development; Melissa Williamson as Senior Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie as Head of Production; Li Yeh as Director, Strategic Planning; Brian Blazik as Head of Bell Media Sales, Sphere Abacus; Carlyn Klebuc as General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman as Vice President, Global Content.
Heated Rivalry Season 2 on Lionsgate Play India
The international reach of Heated Rivalry has continued to expand, with the series available across more than 130 countries worldwide through international distributor Sphere Abacus.
For Indian viewers, Heated Rivalry Season 2 will stream exclusively on Lionsgate Play when the new season premieres in Spring 2027.
The exact Season 2 premiere date has not yet been announced.
