In Season 2 of the hit hockey romance series “Heated Rivalry,” fans were surprised by the casting announcement, introducing Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie to the show. Gillespie, known for his role in “One Night Only,” will portray Troy Barrett, a forward on the Ottawa Centaurs. Meanwhile, Smith, famous for his appearances in various films, including “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” will play Harris Drover, the social media manager for the Centaurs.
These characters, featured in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, particularly in the book “Role Model,” will join the existing main characters, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, in Season 2. Directors Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their confidence in Smith and Gillespie’s ability to bring depth and authenticity to their roles.
While some fans are thrilled about the new cast additions, others have expressed disappointment regarding Smith’s casting as Harris. They believe it missed an opportunity for more representation of diverse body types on screen. Despite some mixed reactions from fans, the excitement for the upcoming season remains high, with filming already underway for the anticipated release in Spring 2027. The producers have urged fans to respect the cast and crew’s space during filming.