Two fresh faces have been revealed as part of the Season 2 lineup of the popular hockey-themed series “Heated Rivalry” on Crave. Daniel Diemer, a Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will take on the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi has been cast as musician Fabian Salah, who also has a role in the HBO show “War.”
The characters of Ryan and Fabian are the central figures in the third book of Rachel Reid’s successful hockey romance series “Game Changers,” titled “Tough Guy.” The narrative follows professional hockey enforcer Ryan, who, upon being traded to the Toronto team, encounters Fabian in the city’s gay village. Despite a near-kiss shared in high school, their undeniable chemistry reignites. However, pursuing a future together may require Ryan to bid farewell to his hockey career.
In a press release, writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady praised the unique dynamics that Daniel and Shaheen bring to Rachel Reid’s world. They commended the actors for embodying the bold, intricate, and captivating personas of Ryan and Fabian. Season 1 of the series adapted the first two books in Reid’s series, “Game Changer” and “Heated Rivalry.”
The upcoming Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” will continue the tale of hockey rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from Reid’s book “The Long Game.” Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will reprise their leading roles in the TV adaptation. Furthermore, the new season will integrate the storylines of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth novel “Role Model” in the series.
Alongside the returning cast, new additions include Justice Smith as Harris and Charlie Gillespie, known for his role in “Julie and the Phantoms,” as Troy. Additionally, “Schitt’s Creek” star Emily Hampshire and drag queen Priyanka will join the ensemble. The highly anticipated Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” is set to debut in the spring of 2027.
