Ice hockey-based drama Heated Rivalry was a smash hit when it aired last year, and it is coming back for a second season – here is all we know about it.
The setting might have been cold, but the action was hot in the first season of romantic drama series Heated Rivalry, which told the story of two rival ice hockey players who were engaged in a secret romance. Now, details are emerging about the eagerly-anticipated second season.
The show, which aired on HBO Max in 2025, was a hit and won a Peabody Award, was written, directed and executive produced by Jacob Tierney. Jacob is in similar control again this time.
Details are starting to emerge about the second season and what fans can expect. Here is all we know about season 2 of Heated Rivalry.
What happened in season 1 of Heated Rivalry?
The first season of Heated Rivalry focused on professional ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who compete for rival teams, the Montreal Metros and Boston Raiders, in the fictional Major League Hockey.
Their rivalry on the ice is highlighted and amplified by the media and, to the public, they don’t like each other. However, off the ice, they are friends – and become more than that. However, their relationship, which carries on intermittently, has to be kept secret.
Is Heated Rivalry based on a book series?
Yes. The show is based on the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid – the first season was based on the second book in the series. The new series will be based on the sixth book in series, ‘The Long Game’ and is a sequel to the first season.
What are the plotlines for season 2 of Heated Rivalry?
We don’t know too much about what is going to happen in season 2, but there are a couple of lines so far. Firstly, Shane and Ilya continue their relationship, but struggle with the prospect of going public about it.
In addition, a new couple are being introduced – Harris Drover, a player transferred to a struggling team, who gets into a relationship with Troy Barrett, the club’s social media manager.
Which cast members are returning for Heated Rivalry season 2?
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie return as Shane and Ilya respectively. Also returning are Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh, who play Shane’s parents. Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova reprises her role as Svetlana, Ilya’s close friend – occasionally very close friend – and Callan Potter also returns as Hayden Pike, Shane’s teammate and best friend.
Who is joining the cast for season 2 of Heated Rivalry?
Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie will play the new couple, Harris and Troy.
Deadline has also revealed that six others are joining the cast. This includes Brendan Morgan (best known for The Handmaid’s Tale) who will play Zane Boodram, David Tomlinson (Silent Night) as Cody Kent (in the books the character was called Dallas Kent); Gerry Dee (Animal Control) will play coach Cooper, Michelle Mylett (Letterkenny) will play Lisa, Lauren Chan (The Devil Wears Prada 2) plays Gen and Nick Stahl (Terminator 3) plays Curtis Barrett.
When and where can I see Heated Rivalry season 2?
A broadcast date hasn’t been announced yet, but we can expect it to land on HBO Max sometime in spring 2027. We also don’t know how many episodes will be in season 2 yet. The first season had six episodes, but Dylan Walsh, who plays Shane’s dad, recently said they were making 12. Then again, Jacob has said he doesn’t want to make more than six episodes per season.
