In the realm of hockey romance, exciting developments are underway once more with the addition of five fresh talents to Crave’s popular series, “Heated Rivalry.” Notable Canadian actress Emily Hampshire is set to portray Vanessa, a character employed at a sex shop, while Canadian comedian and actress Sabrina Jalees will take on the role of sports agent Farah Jalali. Additionally, drag queen Priyanka will embody the character Tarek, an office assistant.
Emily Hampshire, recognized for her performances in the sitcom “Schitt’s Creek” and the TV series “12 Monkeys,” brings her acting prowess to the table. Sabrina Jalees, a former host of the radio and web show “Laugh Out Loud” and a writer for “Canada’s Got Talent,” joins the cast with her comedic flair. Priyanka, the winner of the inaugural season of “Canada’s Drag Race,” adds a unique and vibrant energy to the ensemble.
Two more talented actors have been announced to join the cast: Canadian actor and musician Robert Naylor as goaltender Wyatt Hayes, and Swedish actor Edvin Ryding as rookie hockey player Luca Haas. Robert Naylor, known for voicing D.W. Read in the animated series “Arthur,” and Edvin Ryding, who portrayed Prince Wilhelm in Netflix’s “Young Royals,” bring their own distinct styles to the series.
The new cast lineup was revealed on Instagram by Crave, marking the upcoming season two of “Heated Rivalry.” The show will continue to follow the love story of hockey rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series, specifically drawing from the sixth novel, “The Long Game.” The Game Changer series comprises hockey romance novels set in a shared universe where characters’ stories intertwine.
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will reprise their leading roles in the TV adaptation, embodying the characters of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, respectively. The first season of the show adapted the initial two books in Reid’s series, “Game Changer” and “Heated Rivalry.”
With the latest casting announcement, it is anticipated that the third novel in the series, “Tough Guy,” will also be brought to screen. Characters Vanessa and Tarek are connected to Fabian Salah, the romantic interest of hockey player Ryan Price in “Tough Guy.”
Furthermore, the upcoming season will incorporate storylines from the fifth novel, “Role Model,” featuring Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s new team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager. Justice Smith has been cast as Harris, while Charlie Gillespie, known for his role in “Julie and the Phantoms,” will portray Troy in the series.
“Heated Rivalry” season two is set to premiere in spring 2027, promising fans more drama, romance, and hockey action to look forward to.
