If you, like us, were left wanting more after the first season of the steamy hockey romance Heated Rivalry, some recent industry chatter might be just the thing to get you through the off-season. While the official sources are staying quiet, reports are swirling that the universe based on Rachel Reid’s novels is about to get a whole lot bigger.
More Than Just a Second Season?
According to a report from Deadline, production isn't just underway for season two—it seems they might be shooting season three right after it. This would mean a total of twelve new episodes are in the works, with each season getting a six-episode run, just like the first. This lines up with a previous comment from Dylan Walsh (who plays Shane’s father) about filming 12 episodes, a detail that had fans speculating for weeks. While Canadian streamer Crave hasn't confirmed a thing, two back-to-back seasons would certainly explain that number.
Season two is expected to pick up with Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s story, drawing from the next book in the series, The Long Game. We'll also see some new key players from the books join the on-screen team, with Justice Smith cast as Harris Drover and Charlie Gillespie as Troy Barrett.
A Holiday Special Without the Main Couple
Perhaps the most interesting part of the rumour is a potential holiday movie. But here's the twist: it reportedly won't focus on Shane and Ilya. Instead, the spotlight is set to shift to another fan-favourite couple, Scott Hunter (played by François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.).
This makes perfect sense for fans of the books, as author Rachel Reid has a festive short story titled Merry Christmas, Scott and Kip!, which follows their first Christmas together. While it’s not confirmed that the film will be a direct adaptation, it seems very likely. It’s a bold move to sideline your main couple for a special, but it also shows confidence in the wider world of the story and its characters. The film is apparently being eyed for a December 2027 cinema release, with filming scheduled for this December.
New Faces Joining the Roster
The cast for the upcoming season(s) is also expanding, and it’s a pretty solid lineup. Alongside Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie, the new additions include:
- Emily Hampshire (Schitt's Creek)
- Brendan Morgan
- David Tomlinson
- Lauren Chan
- And, in a move we love to see, Canada’s Drag Race season one winner, Priyanka!
So, When Can We Watch?
Again, this is all based on industry reports, so take it with a grain of salt until Crave makes it official. But the current timeline suggests that filming for both seasons will wrap up around late November or early December this year. Season two is tentatively slated for the first half of 2027, with April being a likely target. The movie would then follow in December 2027.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But the prospect of twelve more episodes and a whole holiday movie is more than enough to keep the excitement going.
