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Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie join Heated Rivalry’s second season
Developed over time first seen 3 months ago
Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have joined the second season of “Heated Rivalry”, the Canadian romantic drama commissioned by Crave and streamed on HBO Max in the US. Their casting introduces a new storyline from Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” novels while returning stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams continue as the central couple from the first season.
Smith will play Harris Drover, Ottawa’s social media manager, and Gillespie will portray Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded from Toronto after ending ties with a former teammate accused of sexual assault. The series is created and directed by Jacob Tierney, who executive produces with Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson; Reid is a consulting producer and Mike Goldbach co-writes the second season.
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In short
- Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie join “Heated Rivalry” season two.
- They play Harris Drover and hockey player Troy Barrett.
- Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams return.
How this story developed
- 3 months ago Further details confirmed that Smith will play Ottawa social-media manager Harris Drover and Gillespie will portray traded hockey player Troy Barrett, whose former teammate faces a sexual-assault accusation.
- 3 months ago Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie were cast in Heated Rivalry’s second season, joining returning leads Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams as the show adapts another Rachel Reid Game Changers storyline.
- The Hollywood Reporter ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Finds Its Troy and Harris in Charlie Gillespie and Justice Smith
- Deadline ‘Heated Rivalry’ Casts Justice Smith & Charlie Gillespie As Harris & Troy; Season 2 Debut Confirmed For Spring 2027
- Variety Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie join Heated Rivalry’s second season
Explained simply
“Heated Rivalry” is a Canadian romantic drama about two professional ice hockey players whose on-ice competition develops into a private relationship. It is based on the “Game Changers” novels by Canadian author Rachel Reid, which follow romances in and around men’s professional hockey.
The first season centred on Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. Jacob Tierney, a Canadian writer and director, oversees the television adaptation, while Reid is involved as a consulting producer.
The new storyline draws on other characters from Reid’s book series, widening the show’s focus beyond its original central couple. It also brings in themes involving a player’s move between teams and the consequences of allegations concerning another teammate.
Coverage · 3 sources
- VarietyJustice Smith and Charlie Gillespie join Heated Rivalry’s second season
- The Hollywood Reporter‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Finds Its Troy and Harris in Charlie Gillespie and Justice Smith
- Deadline‘Heated Rivalry’ Casts Justice Smith & Charlie Gillespie As Harris & Troy; Season 2 Debut Confirmed For Spring 2027
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Originally published by Variety as “‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Casts Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie”.