The hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry has officially been renewed for a second season, bringing the next chapter of Rachel Reid’s beloved Game Changers book series to the screen.
The HBO Max and Crave adaptation continues the story of fierce ice hockey rivals Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie, whose secret decade-long relationship has captured audiences worldwide.
The second season will primarily adapt Reid’s sixth novel, The Long Game, picking up years into Shane and Ilya’s romance as they navigate the immense pressure of deciding whether to reveal their relationship to the public.
Showrunner Jacob Tierney previously teased that the new batch of episodes will venture into more complex narrative territory while maintaining the core focus on the central couple. Speaking at BookCon in early April 2026, Tierney shared his vision for the upcoming chapter:
“I want to dig deeper.”
Tierney further explained that the adaptation will aim to thoroughly explore the intricate real-world hurdles and personal growth that unfold long after two people initially fall in love.
Expanding its ensemble cast, Season 2 will also introduce characters from Reid’s companion novel Role Model. Justice Smith joins the lineup as Harris Drover alongside Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett.
Rounding out the new cast additions are Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, and drag performer Priyanka.
Production for the new season is actively underway, with the series scheduled to make its return on HBO Max in spring 2027.