Two fresh faces are set to join the cast of “Heated Rivalry” for its second season, but the casting news has stirred up some backlash among fans who were anticipating more accurate representation of body diversity from the books.
Recently, Crave announced that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie will be part of the expanded cast for the popular hockey romance series. Gillespie, originally from New Brunswick and known for his role in the movie “One Night Only,” will portray Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. He previously starred in the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms.” On the other hand, Justice Smith, recognized for his performances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” will take on the role of Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager.
These characters, Troy and Harris, are the focal points of “Role Model,” the fifth book in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, which serves as the basis for the show “Heated Rivalry.” The second season will follow the main characters from the first season, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, while integrating Troy and Harris’s storyline.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their confidence in the chosen actors, stating, “Justice and Charlie immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience of these characters, bringing a deep understanding of Harris and Troy to the screen.”
Despite the excitement from some fans, others have voiced disappointment over Smith’s casting as Harris, citing it as a missed opportunity for more inclusive representation of diverse body types on screen. The comments on Crave’s social media posts unveiling the cast have been a mix of enthusiasm and criticism.
While acknowledging the diverse reactions, it is worth noting that previous casting choices for the show, such as Ilya and Shane, also faced initial controversy but ultimately led to the actors’ rise to fame due to the show’s global success. Author Rachel Reid hinted at this trajectory on her Instagram over the past weekend.
Filming for the second season has already commenced, with a scheduled release in Spring 2027. Fans are eagerly following the developments, with actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams gaining immense popularity. The show’s director, Tierney, has urged fans to respect the cast and crew’s space during filming.