Sky has confirmed ‘Heated Rivalry‘ will be back on the ice in Spring 2027, with Season 2 returning exclusively to Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland. The romantic drama is also expanding its lead cast, adding Justice Smith (I Saw the TV Glow, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t) and Charlie Gillespie (One Night Only, Splitsville, Suze).
Based on Rachel Reid’s acclaimed Game Changers book series, ‘Heated Rivalry’ follows the lives and relationships surrounding the world of professional hockey. Smith will play Harris Drover, while Gillespie takes the role of Troy Barrett, with the pair joining returning leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie for the upcoming second season.
Writer, director and executive producer Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady commented on the new additions:
“Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root for. From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen. Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”
The first season centred on rival hockey players Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. What began as a secret fling between two rookies developed into a years-long relationship as the pair wrestled with their rivalry, ambitions and feelings for one another.
Season 2 will now widen the story with Harris and Troy, two more characters from Reid’s Game Changers universe, giving Smith and Gillespie significant roles alongside the original leads.
Jacob Tierney returns as writer, director and executive producer, alongside executive producers Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson. Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje serve as producers, with Rachel Reid as consulting producer. Mike Goldbach is co-writer on Season 2.
The series is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, where it was originally created for the Canadian streaming service by Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy). Sphere Abacus handles international distribution, with Sky acquiring the drama for the UK and Ireland.
‘Heated Rivalry‘ Season 2 premieres Spring 2027 on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland.
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