Crave has cast Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett for the second season of Heated Rivalry, its queer ice-hockey drama. The announcement matters because the characters are popular with readers of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, particularly the fifth book, Role Model, and fans had speculated about their casting for months.

Smith will play Harris, the Ottawa Centaurs’ social-media manager, while Gillespie will play Troy, a league player joining a new team after difficult experiences. Season 2 has begun production and is expected in spring 2027; its episode count remains unconfirmed, despite a cast member suggesting there may be 12 episodes. The first season became Crave’s most-watched original programme, reportedly lifting platform viewership by 400% and reaching 10.6 million views by February 2026.