‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Filming Begins with First Look for Fans

Few shows have transitioned from niche adaptation to widespread phenomenon quite like ‘Heated Rivalry’ did during its debut season. What began as a queer hockey romance adapted from a mid-series novel evolved into one of the most discussed breakout hits of the year, and the demand for more has only grown stronger.

This week marked a significant milestone in that anticipation. Production for the second season officially commenced, with the show’s team confirming that filming has begun and sharing the first behind-the-scenes glimpse from the set, featuring a clapperboard photo simply labeled “Day 1.”

Series stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are back in Toronto, reprising their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, the rival professional hockey players whose secret relationship formed the emotional core of Season 1. Both actors have already been seen around the city as filming progresses, adding to the excitement that has surrounded the show since its first season became an international sensation.

Season 2 will primarily draw from ‘The Long Game,’ the sixth novel in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series, which directly continues Shane and Ilya’s relationship. Creator Jacob Tierney has also indicated that material from ‘Role Model’ will be included in the season, with recent casting news hinting that elements from ‘Tough Guy’ may also be incorporated.

Tierney returns to direct the season, this time sharing writing responsibilities with Mike Goldbach after handling the entire script for the first season solo. New cast members include Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett, along with actors portraying new characters Wyatt Hayes and Luca Haas, expanding the universe established in Season 1.

Given the show’s close adherence to its source material, Tierney has been open about how much fans can already deduce. “What’s so funny about the level of secrecy is like there’s a book — you can just look at it,” Tierney told The Hollywood Reporter, noting that the novels reveal about 90% of what viewers are curious about as they look forward to the new season.

This transparency brings its own set of challenges. The success of Season 1 transformed ‘Heated Rivalry’ into a genuine phenomenon almost overnight, and Tierney acknowledged that managing expectations this time around is a different experience altogether.

“I’ve never experienced fandom like this before, and I have to just trust myself the way I trusted myself last time,” Tierney shared in the same interview, emphasizing his approach to Season 2 as staying true to his instincts rather than chasing the buzz surrounding the show’s rapidly expanding audience.

That growing fanbase has already made its presence known around the Toronto filming locations, prompting the production team to make a direct appeal. Producers have requested that fans give the cast and crew the necessary space to work if they encounter any filming sites, highlighting just how closely followers are monitoring the show’s return.

‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 is currently targeting a Spring 2027 release, set to debut simultaneously on Crave in Canada and HBO Max in the United States and other regions. This timeline provides fans with a clearer understanding of how long the wait will be, even as the first set photos begin to emerge.

With filming officially underway and a book series already outlining much of the emotional journey ahead, all indicators suggest that Season 2 will fulfill the promise that made the first season such a remarkable success. Whether the show can replicate its initial magic remains the biggest question as production unfolds.

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