Two fresh faces are set to join the cast of the upcoming Season 2 of the popular hockey drama series “Heated Rivalry” on Crave. Daniel Diemer, a Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in the TV show “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will portray the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi, who is also slated to appear in the HBO series “War,” will play the role of musician Fabian Salah, Ryan’s love interest.
The duo of Ryan and Fabian takes center stage in the third installment of Rachel Reid’s acclaimed hockey romance series, “Game Changers,” titled “Tough Guy.” The storyline delves into the life of professional hockey enforcer Ryan as he transitions to the Toronto team and encounters Fabian, an aspiring musician he shared a significant moment with in high school. Despite the passage of time, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces, but pursuing a future together may require Ryan to make a difficult choice between love and his hockey career.
According to writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady, both Diemer and Jafargholi bring a unique and captivating energy to the characters created by Rachel Reid. The duo is praised for their portrayal of the bold and complex personas of Fabian and Ryan, showcasing confidence and emotional depth in their performances.
Season 1 of the series adapted the first two books of Reid’s series, “Game Changer” and “Heated Rivalry.” The upcoming Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” will continue to follow the evolving relationship between hockey rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, based on Reid’s novel “The Long Game,” with Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie reprising their lead roles.
Additionally, the new season will incorporate the narratives of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book in the series, “Role Model.” Justice Smith has been announced as Harris, while Charlie Gillespie, known for his role in “Julie and the Phantoms,” will portray Troy. Notable new additions to the cast include Emily Hampshire from “Schitt’s Creek” and drag queen Priyanka.
“Heated Rivalry” Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in the spring of 2027.