As the cast and crew continue to put in hard work filming Heated Rivalry season 2, fans all around the world are waiting for the latest news about the series before the episodes start rolling out next year. Between new cast additions, haircuts, and first photos from set, we have received a lot of details about Shane and Ilya's next chapter, and they just keep coming to increase our excitement.
Once cameras began rolling on the highly anticipated follow-up season in August 2026, faces were put to the names of the equally highly anticipated new characters. We have our Troy and Harris, our Ryan and Fabian, and plenty more of the beloved characters from Rachel Reid's book series. Now, we officially have more Centaurs, supporting characters, and some villains.
Dallas Kent's name changed in Heated Rivalry season 2
If you have read Tough Guy and Role Model, which are two of the books being adapted in some form in Heated Rivalry season 2, then you know Dallas Kent is one of the main antagonists. He's a toxic, homophobic hockey player who's awful to Ryan, used to be friends with Troy, and becomes under fire for sexual assault. When we meet him in the series, he won't be named Dallas.
Crave announced David Tomlinson's casing as the character on Sept. 16, a few weeks after the actor had been photographed on set and assumed by fans to be taking on the role. However, the character has been renamed Cody Kent for reasons that will surely be explained by creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady at some point in the future.
In addition to Tomlinson taking on the role of Cody Kent, Heated Rivalry season 2 has also added Brendan Morgan as Centaurs player Zane "Bood" Boodram, Gerry Dee as Guardians Coach Cooper, Michelle Mylett as Wyatt Hayes' (Robert Naylor) wife Lisa, Lauren Chan as Centaurs social media photographer Gen, and Nick Stahl as Troy's (Charlie Gillespie) homophobic father Curtis Barrett.
For the most part, this round of casting announcements pretty much round out the season 2 cast as these were some of the last remaining characters fans were still expecting to be announced. We're still waiting to see who will play Common Goal co-lead Eric Bennett, but maybe his casting is simply the friends we made along the way and he won't be included in season 2.
The exciting casting news that's been steadily revealed throughout the past two months has been a thrill, and it's worth the reminder that aside from Troy and Harris, most of these new characters have small, supporting roles that will in no way impact Shane and Ilya's screen time but enhance their story. What's more, we also learned some news that will mark a first for the series.
HBO Max boss confirmed Heated Rivalry season 2 premiere in New York City
Following the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, which Heated Rivalry unfortunately was ineligible to compete at, HBO and HBO Max content chairman and CEO Casey Bloys spoke with Deadline to celebrate the network and streamer's wins and preview shows coming down the pipeline. Obviously, that includes the hockey romance drama, and Bloys shared some great news.
When asked what he knows about the second season of the worldwide hit series, Bloys kept details close to the vest, mostly because as a licensee, he likely doesn't have many details quite yet for a show that's still in production (though he has read some scripts). However, Bloys shared that exciting news that for the first time, Heated Rivalry will have a premiere event in New York City.
"They’re shooting. As you know, we’re a licensee, and I can’t wait to see what [creator] Jacob [Tierney] and the guys are doing. We’re gonna have a great premiere in New York in the spring, and can’t wait to celebrate it," Bloys told Deadline. "Oh, I’m thrilled. It’s the greatest acquisition in the history of television. I have no doubt in Jacob’s abilities, so I’m eagerly awaiting the episodes."
For the show's debut last year, a premiere event was held in Canada, the show's home country, but with the expansion thanks in part to HBO Max, the American streamer will be rolling out the red carpet in NYC for Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Jacob Tierney, and the whole cast and crew to ring in the second season's debut. What a marker of the show's incredible impact.
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