Two fresh faces have been revealed for the upcoming Season 2 of the popular hockey series, Heated Rivalry, on Crave. Daniel Diemer, a noted Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in the TV series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, will depict the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi will take on the role of musician Fabian Salah, who is also set to feature in the HBO show, War.
The characters of Ryan and Fabian are at the center of the third book in Rachel Reid’s well-received hockey romance series titled Tough Guy. The narrative revolves around Ryan, a professional hockey enforcer who, upon joining the Toronto team, is eager to explore the city’s gay village. During his exploration, Ryan reconnects with Fabian, an aspiring musician with whom he shared a nearly intimate moment back in high school. Despite the passage of time, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces. However, a potential future together may require Ryan to bid farewell to his hockey career.
According to a press statement by writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady, “Fabian and Ryan infuse distinct energies into Rachel Reid’s world. They are complex, bold, and engaging characters, and it was crucial for us to find actors capable of embodying all these facets. Daniel and Shaheen bring a sense of confidence and emotional authenticity to their respective roles. We are excited for audiences to witness their portrayal of Fabian and Ryan and how they make these characters uniquely their own.”
The first season of the show adapted the initial two books of Reid’s series, Game Changer and Heated Rivalry. Season 2 of Heated Rivalry will continue the narrative of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, former hockey rivals turned lovers, from Reid’s book The Long Game, with Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie reprising their lead roles in the TV adaptation.
Furthermore, the upcoming season will also incorporate the storylines of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s new team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book of the series, Role Model. The cast additions for Season 2 include Justice Smith as Harris and Charlie Gillespie, known for his role in Julie and the Phantoms, as Troy. Notable new cast members also include Emily Hampshire from Schitt’s Creek and drag queen Priyanka.
Season 2 of Heated Rivalry is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027.