Two fresh faces will be joining the world of “Heated Rivalry” for its upcoming Season 2, but the casting news has stirred up some backlash among fans who were anticipating more body diversity representation in line with the books. Crave announced the addition of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie to the cast on Friday.
Gillespie, a talent from New Brunswick with credits in the film “One Night Only” and the Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms,” will be taking on the role of Troy Barrett, a forward playing for the Ottawa Centaurs. Meanwhile, Smith, recognized for his performances in “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” is set to portray Harris Drover, the Centaurs’ social media manager.
The characters of Troy and Harris, featured in Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” series, particularly in the fifth book titled “Role Model,” are set to be integrated into the storyline of “Heated Rivalry” Season 2. The new season will continue to follow the journey of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander from the first season, alongside introducing the narratives of Troy and Harris.
Director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their confidence in the casting choices, mentioning the actors’ ability to bring depth and authenticity to the characters. Smith and Gillespie were praised for their immediate connection to the essence of Harris and Troy.
While some fans eagerly anticipate the new additions, others have voiced disappointment over Smith’s casting as Harris, citing a missed opportunity for greater inclusivity in body representation. Concerns were raised about the deviation from the book’s description of Harris’s physical attributes, with fans expressing a desire for more diverse body types on screen.
The online reactions to the casting announcement on Crave’s social media platforms exhibit a mix of excitement and concern among fans. Some fans laud Smith’s acting skills but express a wish for more representation of diverse body types in romantic roles.
Amid the discussions, the producers of “Heated Rivalry” declined to comment further, redirecting inquiries to the original casting announcement. The upcoming season, scheduled for release in Spring 2027, has already commenced filming, generating high anticipation among fans eagerly awaiting the unfolding of the new character dynamics.