Crave has revealed two fresh additions to the cast for the second season of its hit hockey drama Heated Rivalry.
Canadian actor Daniel Diemer, recognized for his role as Tyson in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, will portray the character Ryan Price, a hockey player.
Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi is set to take on the role of his romantic interest, musician Fabian Salah. Jafargholi is also slated to appear in the HBO series War.
Ryan and Fabian are the lead characters in the third installment of Rachel Reid’s acclaimed Game Changers hockey romance series, titled Tough Guy.
The narrative follows professional hockey enforcer Ryan, who, upon being traded to the Toronto team, looks forward to exploring the city’s gay village. During his adventures, he encounters Fabian, an aspiring musician with whom he almost shared a kiss back in high school. Despite the time that has elapsed, the chemistry between them remains strong. However, a future together may require Ryan to leave hockey behind.
Tough Guy is a novel by Rachel Reid. (Carina Press, Caleb Latreille)
Writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady stated in a press release, “Fabian and Ryan each contribute a unique energy to the world that Rachel Reid has crafted.”
“They are bold, intricate, and profoundly engaging characters, and it was crucial for us to find actors who could embody all those varied aspects. Daniel and Shaheen bring remarkable confidence and emotional authenticity to their roles. We are eager for audiences to witness how they interpret Fabian and Ryan and make these characters their own.”
The first season of the series adapted the first two books from Reid’s collection, Game Changer and Heated Rivalry.
According to Crave, Season 2 of Heated Rivalry will continue the journey of hockey rivals turned lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, based on Reid’s novel The Long Game.
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will return to reprise their lead roles in the television adaptation.
Hudson Williams, left, appears as Shane Hollander in a scene from Crave’s Heated Rivalry alongside Connor Storrie, right, who portrays Ilya Rozanov. (Crave)
The upcoming season will also weave in the narratives of Troy Barrett, a hockey player newly transferred to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book in the series, Role Model.
Crave has confirmed that Justice Smith will play Harris and Charlie Gillespie, known for Julie and the Phantoms, will portray Troy.
Additional new cast members include Schitt’s Creek‘s Emily Hampshire and drag queen Priyanka.
The second season of Heated Rivalry is slated to debut in spring 2027.
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