Two fresh faces are set to join the upcoming Season 2 of the popular hockey drama series “Heated Rivalry” on Crave. Daniel Diemer, a Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in the TV series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will take on the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi, known for his appearance in the HBO show “War,” will portray the role of musician Fabian Salah, who becomes Ryan’s love interest in the series.
The characters Ryan and Fabian are the central figures in the third book of Rachel Reid’s acclaimed “Game Changers” hockey romance series titled “Tough Guy.” The novel narrates the story of pro hockey enforcer Ryan, who, upon being traded to the Toronto team, encounters Fabian in the city’s gay village. Despite a near-kiss in high school, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces, hinting at a potential future together that may require sacrifices from Ryan in his hockey career.
Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, the writer and producer of the show, expressed excitement about the addition of Daniel and Shaheen to the cast, highlighting their ability to embody the complex and captivating personas of Fabian and Ryan. The first season of the series adapted the initial two books from Reid’s series, while Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” will continue the love story between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from the novel “The Long Game,” with Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie reprising their lead roles.
Furthermore, the upcoming season will introduce the stories of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book in the series called “Role Model.” Notably, Justice Smith will play Harris, and Charlie Gillespie, known for his role in “Julie and the Phantoms,” will portray Troy. The new cast roster also includes Emily Hampshire from “Schitt’s Creek” and drag queen Priyanka.
The highly-anticipated Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” is scheduled to debut in the spring of 2027, promising more drama and romance for fans of the series.