Justice Smith is sharing his excitement following the announcement that he will be joining the second season of Heated Rivalry as the character Harris Drover. The 31-year-old actor’s casting comes alongside fellow actor Charlie Gillespie, who will portray Troy Barrett. Together, they will join Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in leading roles for the eagerly awaited continuation of the Crave-HBO Max series.
Smith Receives Warm Welcome from Fans
In a heartfelt Instagram story, Smith expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he’s received from fans, noting: “I have to say I am moved by the support and love I’m getting from fans in my DMs, fans who have welcomed me with open arms and who already feel a responsibility to protect me.”
Addressing Casting Controversies
Despite the positive reception, some fans have voiced concerns regarding Smith’s casting as Harris, a character described in the original novels as chubbier than the typical hockey players. Addressing this criticism, Smith stated, “I am honored to play a character you all care about deeply and I promise I will take good care of him if you give me the chance. I am beyond excited for this experience.”
Support from Original Author Rachel Reid
In the wake of this criticism, many have rallied in defense of the casting decision, including Rachel Reid, the author of the novels that inspired Heated Rivalry. In a post on her Instagram story, she reflected on past casting criticisms, stating, “Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…”
Character Dynamics and Story Progression
The narratives of Harris and Troy play pivotal roles in Reid’s novel, Role Model, which is the fifth installment of the Game Changers series that Heated Rivalry is based upon. Showrunner Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady praised the complexity of these characters, remarking, “Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root for.”
The Vision Behind the Casting
Elaborating on the casting process, the statement added, “From the start, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen. Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”
Setting and Future of the Show
The upcoming season is expected to take viewers back to Ottawa, where the main character Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Connor Storrie, relocates to a lower-ranked Canadian hockey team. This move follows the events of the season one finale, where Ilya aims to be closer to his now-boyfriend, Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams.
Looking Ahead
Crave has already renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season, confirming that HBO Max will continue to air the show. Filming for the new season is set to begin this month, with a target release date of spring 2027.
Jacob Tierney is taking on the roles of writer, director, and executive producer for the series. He is joined by executive producers Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson, along with producers Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje. Rachel Reid will serve as a consulting producer, with Mike Goldbach joining the team as a co-writer for the upcoming season.
