{
  "id": 313496,
  "title": "Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie are Heated Rivalry's new will-they-won't-they",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/justice-smith-and-charlie-gillespie-are-heated-rivalrys-new-will-they",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T23:40:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/heated-rivalry-season-two-justice-smith-charlie-gillespie"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The second season of the popular show Heated Rivalry is set to premiere soon, bringing back its beloved characters Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, played by Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie respectively. The announcement of these new additions to the show's team comes with a gentle reminder from Crave, the premium TV network, to refrain from hounding the stars for autographs while they are shooting the series.\n\nBoth Harris and Troy are the main protagonists from the source material, Role Model, the fifth book in author Rachel Reid's Game Changers series. In season one, Harris and Troy's storyline was a simmering subplot, akin to Kip and Scott in the initial episodes of the first season. This time around, Ottawa Centaurs social media manager Harris finds himself developing feelings for the team's stoic forward, Troy.\n\nThe Hollywood Reporter confirms that Troy will be joining Ilya on the ice when he is drafted to the Centaurs in the upcoming season. Show creator Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady have commended Reid for crafting \"two beautifully layered characters\" who \"you can't help but root for.\" They also highlight Smith and Gillespie's ability to bring \"depth and heart to the screen\" with \"the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters.\"\n\nAdditionally, it is revealed that Harris and Troy share a romantic moment on the ice. The new season of Heated Rivalry is scheduled to return next spring, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of Harris and Troy's evolving relationship.",
  "summary": "Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have joined the cast of Heated Rivalry season two, where they will play the leads of the romantic subplot.",
  "key_points": [
    "Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie reprise roles as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett.",
    "Season two to premiere next spring, exploring evolving relationship between Harris and Troy.",
    "Ottawa Centaurs social media manager Harris develops feelings for team's stoic forward Troy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Finds Its Troy and Harris in Charlie Gillespie and Justice Smith",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/heated-rivalry-season-2-finds-its-troy-and-harris-in-charlie",
        "published": "2026-08-07T17:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TheWrap",
        "title": "‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 Casts Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie as Harris and Troy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/heated-rivalry-season-2-casts-justice-smith-charlie-gillespie-as",
        "published": "2026-08-07T17:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "‘Heated Rivalry’ Casts Justice Smith & Charlie Gillespie As Harris & Troy; Season 2 Debut Confirmed For Spring 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/heated-rivalry-casts-justice-smith-charlie-gillespie-as-harris-troy",
        "published": "2026-08-07T17:00:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TVLine",
        "title": "Heated Rivalry Season 2 Casts Justice Smith As Harris Drover And Charlie Gillespie As Troy Barrett",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/heated-rivalry-season-2-casts-justice-smith-as-harris-drover-and",
        "published": "2026-08-07T17:39:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}