Two fresh faces are set to make their debut in the world of Heated Rivalry, stirring up mixed reactions among fans anticipating Season 2. The casting news has sparked criticism from some fans who were hoping for more accurate representation of diverse body types in the show.
Crave announced on Friday that the cast of the immensely popular hockey romance series will be expanded in the upcoming season with the addition of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie.
Hailing from New Brunswick and known for his role in the film One Night Only, Gillespie will portray Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. He previously starred in the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms, which was canceled after its first season.
Smith, recognized for his performances in I Saw the TV Glow, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, will take on the role of Harris Drover, the social media manager for the Centaurs.
Troy and Harris are pivotal characters from Role Model, the fifth book in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series that serves as the basis for Heated Rivalry. According to Crave, the second season will continue to follow the storyline of the main characters from the first season, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, while integrating Troy and Harris’s narrative.
“From the onset of the casting process, we aimed to find actors capable of delivering something truly exceptional and infusing that same depth and emotion into their on-screen personas,” stated director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady in the casting announcement.
“Justice and Charlie embody just that. They immediately grasped the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, demonstrating an innate understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”
Fan Reception Divided
While some fans are enthusiastic about the latest casting development, others have expressed disappointment over Smith’s portrayal of Harris, citing a missed opportunity for more inclusivity in representing diverse body types on screen.
“In the book, Harris describes himself as slightly overweight, not athletic, and Troy characterizes him as having a broad chest, solid physique, soft midsection, being robust and rugged. I’m saddened that we won’t see that depiction of Harris,” shared BookTok content creator Taylor Layne, known as Taylor Just Reads, in a TikTok post on Sunday.
“As a proud gay Libra, I deeply connected with Harris and was eager to witness more body diversity, particularly in a series centered on athletic individuals. […] While I believe the show will be exceptional and the actors outstanding, I am disheartened,” Layne added.
Comments on Crave’s Instagram and TikTok posts unveiling the casting decision reflect a mix of sentiments among fans.
“Justice Smith has always delivered top-notch performances in everything I’ve seen! I’m thrilled to see him in HR,” mentioned @geeky_spice in an Instagram comment.</p