“Heated Rivalry” author Rachel Reid appears to have a message for fans criticizing the casting choices for Season 2.
On Aug. 7, the series announced that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie will portray Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively. The new characters will headline one of Season 2’s central love stories. This is alongside the continuing romance between Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie.
Reid addressed the reaction to the announcement on Instagram Stories. She seemingly reminded fans that casting criticism can look different once the actors actually take on their roles.
Rachel Reid Responds to Casting Critics
Following the announcement, Reid shared a pointed message with her followers.
“Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…” she wrote on an Instagram story.
Her comment appeared to reference the initial reaction to the casting of Williams and Storrie as Shane and Ilya. This was before the series premiered.
The casting announcement also sparked debate among fans, particularly over Smith’s portrayal of Harris.
Fans Debate Justice Smith as Harris
Some fans expressed disappointment with the casting of Harris, whose character has a notably different physical description in Reid’s books.
One fan on X explained why the casting announcement was particularly disappointing to them.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not Harris. I’m sure he’ll be great in the role, but what I looked forward to the most is the plus-sized representation that Harris brings to the story. Not every gay man has a six-pack. Harris is supposed to represent that,” the fan wrote.
Another fan shared a similar concern, writing, “Justice Smith is a talented actor for sure, but I don’t want a skinny Harris.”
Harris has an unathletic body type in the novels. This has prompted some readers to question whether Smith matches their vision of the character.
However, other fans have defended Smith’s casting and pointed to his acting ability. They also note that audiences have yet to see his interpretation of Harris on screen.
‘Heated Rivalry’ Creators Defend Casting
Series creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady defended the casting in a joint statement.
“Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root for,” they said. “From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen.”
They added that Smith and Gillespie quickly connected with the characters.
“Justice and Charlie do exactly that,” Tierney and Brady said. “They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”
The pair will bring Harris and Troy’s romance to the screen while the series continues to follow Shane and Ilya.
What to Know About ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2
Season 2 will draw from Reid’s book “Role Model,” which overlaps with the Shane and Ilya sequel “The Long Game.”
The series will continue the relationship between Shane and Ilya while introducing Harris and Troy as another central couple.
The first season became a breakout hit for the hockey romance series. It increased anticipation for the next chapter and brought renewed attention to Reid’s books.
Season 2 does not yet have an exact release date. However, the series has confirmed that it will return in spring 2027.
For now, fans will have to wait to see Smith and Gillespie bring Harris and Troy to life. It remains to be seen whether their performances change opinions about the casting.
