François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. will officially reprise their roles as Scott Hunter and Kip Grady in Season 2 of Heated Rivalry, joining returning leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie for another round of queer romance, hockey, and
The couple became a fan-favorite part of the show’s first season, with Scott’s journey offering a powerful contrast to the hidden relationship between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Scott and Kip’s story comes from the first Game Changers book, where the professional hockey star becomes convinced one of Kip’s smoothies helped end his slump. Their playful connection soon develops into a passionate but secret relationship, leaving Scott to choose between protecting his career and publicly embracing the man he loves.
Now, viewers will get to see what comes next for Scott and Kip as the series expands its world both on and off the ice.
More Familiar Faces Are Returning
Scott and Kip will not be the only familiar characters back for Season 2. Sophie Nélisse will return as Rose, while Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova will reprise her role as Svetlana. Callan Potter and Benjamin Roy are also returning as Hayden and JJ, respectively.
Kamilla Kowal will once again play Hayden’s wife, Jackie, while Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh will return as Shane’s parents.
The growing ensemble will join Williams and Storrie, who broke out during the first season as Shane and Ilya. Their characters began as fierce hockey rivals whose secret physical relationship slowly developed into a complicated, yearslong love story.
‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Expands Its Queer Hockey World
Several new cast members have already been announced for the upcoming season. Justice Smith will play Harris, with Charlie Gillespie joining as Troy. The pair will lead another major storyline alongside Shane and Ilya.
Daniel Diemer has been cast as Ryan, with Shaheen Jafargholi as Fabian, Emily Hampshire as Vanessa, Edvin Ryding as Luca, Robert Naylor as Wyatt, Sabrina Jalees as Farah and Priyanka as Tarek.
The casting confirms that Season 2 will explore considerably more of the interconnected world established in Reid’s Game Changers book series.
What Will Season 2 Be About?
Season 2 will primarily adapt The Long Game, the second novel centered on Shane and Ilya. The story catches up with the couple roughly a decade after their relationship began as they confront the mounting pressure of keeping their love hidden.
The new season will also incorporate parts of Role Model, the fifth book in Reid’s series. That novel introduces the romance between hockey player Troy Barrett and Harris Drover, who will be portrayed by Gillespie and Smith.
With Scott and Kip returning and another queer romance entering the spotlight, Season 2 appears ready to give fans an even bigger emotional universe while continuing Shane and Ilya’s long, messy and deeply romantic journey.
A premiere date for Heated Rivalry Season 2 has not yet been announced.