Heated Rivalry is bringing even more familiar faces and beloved book characters to the ice for Season 2.
Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Priyanka and more are officially joining Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
So far, Crave has announced five more additions to its hit queer hockey drama, including Schitt’s Creek favorite Emily Hampshire, Young Royals star Edvin Ryding and Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka. Robert Naylor and Sabrina Jalees have also joined the growing ensemble.
The new cast members arrive one week after Crave confirmed Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie will lead a storyline inspired by Rachel Reid’s novel Role Model. Together, the announcements reveal that the show’s second season will reach far beyond Shane and Ilya’s romance as it expands the interconnected world of Reid’s Game Changers book series.
Here is everyone officially confirmed for Heated Rivalry Season 2 and what we know about the new episodes so far.
Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander
Hudson Williams will return as hockey superstar Shane Hollander, whose secret relationship with his biggest rival became the heart of the show’s first season.
The second season will primarily draw from The Long Game, the sixth novel in Reid’s series. The story finds Shane and Ilya in a committed relationship but still hiding it from the public. As the pressure of secrecy takes its toll, they must decide what they are willing to risk to build a real life together.
Williams became one of the show’s breakout stars and later won a Canadian Screen Award for his performance as Shane.
Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov
Connor Storrie is also back as Ilya Rozanov, Shane’s longtime rival, secret boyfriend and favorite person to antagonize.
The Long Game explores Ilya’s growing frustration with the limits placed on their relationship. While Shane remains concerned about the professional consequences of coming out, Ilya becomes increasingly ready to stop hiding what they mean to each other.
In addition to continuing his romance with Shane, Ilya will be surrounded by several new Ottawa Centaurs teammates.
Justice Smith as Harris Drover
Justice Smith will play Harris Drover, the Ottawa Centaurs’ social media manager and one half of the central romance in Role Model.
Harris is a kindhearted and openly gay character who forms an unexpected connection with hockey player Troy Barrett. Smith is known for roles in projects including I Saw the TV Glow, The Get Down, Pokémon Detective Pikachu and the Jurassic World franchise.
Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett
Charlie Gillespie will star opposite Smith as Troy Barrett, a hockey player who is traded to the Ottawa Centaurs after controversy derails his career.
Troy arrives in Ottawa carrying plenty of baggage, but his relationship with Harris forces him to reconsider the kind of person he wants to become. Their love story unfolds during the same period as The Long Game, allowing the show to weave it into Shane and Ilya’s next chapter.
Edvin Ryding as Luca Haas
Edvin Ryding is trading the royal court for the hockey rink.
The Young Royals star will play Luca Haas, a rookie on the Ottawa Centaurs. Luca is a teammate of Ilya and eventually Troy, making him another key addition to the team’s rapidly expanding locker room.
Ryding is best known to queer audiences for playing Prince Wilhelm in Netflix’s Young Royals. His recent credits also include 28 Years Later.
Robert Naylor as Wyatt Hayes
Robert Naylor will play Wyatt Hayes, the Ottawa Centaurs’ goalie and another teammate of Ilya, Luca and Troy.
Both Wyatt and Luca appear in Reid’s wider Game Changers universe and have become fan favorites among readers. Their casting suggests the Centaurs will play a much larger role in the show’s second season.
Sabrina Jalees as Farah Jalali
Sabrina Jalees joins the series as Farah Jalali.
In Reid’s novels, Farah works as an agent for both Shane and Ilya, putting her in a particularly complicated position as their private relationship moves closer to the public eye.
Jalees’ previous credits include Search Party, I Used to Be Funny and Black Mirror.
Emily Hampshire as Vanessa
Emily Hampshire has been cast as Vanessa, a character introduced in Tough Guy, the third installment in Reid’s series.
Vanessa is one of aspiring musician Fabian Salah’s closest friends. She is outspoken, protective and an important part of Fabian’s support system as his romance with hockey player Ryan Price develops.
Hampshire is best known for playing Stevie Budd on Schitt’s Creek, as well as her work in 12 Monkeys and Marvel’s upcoming VisionQuest.
Priyanka as Tarek
Priyanka will play Tarek, another of Fabian’s best friends in Tough Guy.
The role marks an exciting scripted addition to the résumé of Canada’s Drag Race Season 1 winner, whose recent screen credits include Drag Brunch Saved My Life and Meet Me Next Christmas.
With both Vanessa and Tarek officially joining the series, it appears Fabian and Ryan’s romance will be incorporated into the second season in some capacity. However, Crave has not announced who will play either character or confirmed how prominently the Tough Guy storyline will be featured.
Which Season 1 cast members are returning?
Williams and Storrie are the only returning first-season actors currently named in Crave’s Season 2 casting announcements.
The first season’s supporting cast included François Arnaud as Scott Hunter, Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady, Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander, Dylan Walsh as David Hollander, Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana.
Several of those characters appear in the books that will inspire the second season, but Crave has not officially confirmed their returns.
Which books will Season 2 adapt?
The season will primarily adapt The Long Game, which continues Shane and Ilya’s story after the events depicted in Heated Rivalry.
Tierney has also confirmed that Role Model will provide source material for the season. The novel follows Troy and Harris and takes place concurrently with portions of The Long Game.
The casting of Vanessa and Tarek now points toward a potential third source: Tough Guy, the novel centered on Ryan Price and Fabian Salah.
When will Heated Rivalry Season 2 premiere?
The second season is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027. Production is underway, although Crave has not announced a specific premiere date or confirmed the episode count.