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'Heated Rivalry' season 2 set for spring 2027

Entertainment | Movies and TV

'Heated Rivalry' season 2 set for spring 2027

By Ian Ureta

Fans of "Heated Rivalry" have more to look forward to as the hit hockey romance series officially returns for a second season.

Based on Rachel Reid’s "Game Changers" novels, the HBO Max and Crave series follows hockey rivals Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose secret relationship has stretched across a decade.

Season 2 will primarily adapt Reid’s sixth book, "The Long Game," which picks up years into Shane and Ilya’s relationship as they face the difficult question of whether to finally make their romance public.

Showrunner Jacob Tierney previously teased that the new season will move into more serious territory while remaining focused on the couple’s relationship. “I want to dig deeper,” said Tierney at BookCon earlier April 2026, describing the adaptation as an exploration of the challenges that come after falling in love.

The new season will also introduce another couple from Reid’s "Role Model." Justice Smith will play Harris Drover, while Charlie Gillespie will portray Troy Barrett. Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees and drag performer Priyanka are also joining the cast in new roles.

Production is underway, with the second season expected to premiere on HBO Max in spring 2027.

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