TL;DR
- Heated Rivalry season 2 is in production.
- The new season will adapt The Long Game.
- Ilya and Shane’s relationship faces new challenges.
- A third season is likely with signed contracts.
- Expect more queer love and drama.
Hold onto your hearts, folks, because the much-anticipated second season of Heated Rivalry is gearing up to bring the heat! Creator Jacob Tierney has just dropped some tantalizing hints about what we can expect from this gay romance hockey series, and trust us, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Filming for season 2 is set to kick off in August 2026, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Based on Rachel Reid’s beloved book series, The Long Game, this season will continue the passionate saga of Ilya (played by Connor Storrie) and Shane (Hudson Williams). But don’t get too comfortable—Tierney has teased that not all storylines from the book will make it to the screen. “Who said I’m doing it all? There’s a lot of material,” he quipped, leaving us all on the edge of our seats.
So, what’s the scoop? The plot picks up about ten years into Ilya and Shane’s relationship, three years after the dramatic season 1 finale. Expect to see Ilya grappling with his mental health and a yearning for a more public relationship with Shane. And in true Heated Rivalry fashion, these two will face their fair share of arguments, reconciliations, and that oh-so-sweet moment when they go public after being caught kissing in a teammate’s photo. Talk about a scandal!
Tierney has described the narrative as akin to “Scenes from a Marriage,” indicating that just because they’re in love doesn’t mean everything will be smooth sailing. “You think that’s when it gets easy? It’s not,” he said, hinting at the complexities of adult relationships, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.
Joining Tierney in this creative endeavor is co-writer Michael Goldbach, who promises to keep audiences guessing with unexpected twists. “He’ll always zig where you’re supposed to zag,” Tierney said, suggesting that fans should prepare for surprises as the story unfolds.
As for the cast, Storrie and Williams are eagerly awaiting their scripts, and it seems the original team will be back, along with eight new characters to spice things up. With both lead actors reportedly signed on for a third season if it gets the green light, the future of Heated Rivalry looks bright.
Mark your calendars, because this season is set to stream on Sky and NOW in the UK. And if you thought the first season was a rollercoaster of emotions, just wait until you see what Tierney has in store for us next!