Two fresh faces have been added to the cast of the upcoming Season 2 of the popular hockey drama series “Heated Rivalry” on Crave. Daniel Diemer, a Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in the TV series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will take on the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi, known for his upcoming appearance in the HBO show “War,” will portray Fabian Salah, Ryan’s love interest.
Ryan and Fabian are the central characters in the third installment of Rachel Reid’s renowned hockey romance series, “Game Changers,” titled “Tough Guy.” The narrative revolves around professional hockey enforcer Ryan, who, upon being traded to the Toronto team, encounters Fabian, an aspiring musician he shared a moment with back in high school. Despite the passage of time, their chemistry reignites, presenting a dilemma where a potential future together might require Ryan to bid farewell to his hockey career.
In a press release, writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady praised the distinct energy Daniel and Shaheen bring to Rachel Reid’s world. They emphasized the bold, complex, and captivating essence of their characters, expressing confidence in the actors’ ability to embody the multifaceted roles. Season 1 of the series adapted the first two books of Reid’s series, “Game Changer” and “Heated Rivalry.”
The upcoming Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” will continue to follow the story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, former hockey rivals turned lovers, from Reid’s novel “The Long Game.” Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will reprise their roles in the TV adaptation. Additionally, the new season will incorporate the narratives of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book of the series, “Role Model.”
The cast announcement for Season 2 has stirred discussions among fans regarding body diversity. Justice Smith has been cast as Harris, and Charlie Gillespie, known for his role in “Julie and the Phantoms,” will play Troy. Noteworthy additions to the cast include Emily Hampshire from “Schitt’s Creek” and drag queen Priyanka.
The highly anticipated Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” is set to premiere in the spring of 2027.