Two fresh faces are set to make their debut in the highly popular series Heated Rivalry, but the unveiling of the Season 2 cast has stirred up some discontent among fans longing for greater representation of diverse body types.
Crave officially announced on Friday the addition of Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie to the ensemble of the beloved hockey romance show.
Hailing from New Brunswick and known for his role in the film One Night Only, Gillespie is slated to portray Troy Barrett, a forward for the Ottawa Centaurs. He previously starred in the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms, which was discontinued after its first season.
Smith, recognized for his performances in I Saw the TV Glow, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, will embody the character of Harris Drover, the social media manager for the Centaurs.
Troy and Harris are the central figures in Role Model, the fifth novel in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, upon which Heated Rivalry is based. Crave has confirmed that the second season will continue to follow the story of the first season’s protagonists, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, while integrating the narrative of Troy and Harris.
“During the casting process, we were adamant about finding actors capable of crafting something truly extraordinary together and bringing that same depth and emotion to the screen,” stated director Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady in the casting announcement.
“Justice and Charlie embody just that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and strength at the core of these characters, displaying an innate understanding of who Harris and Troy truly are.”
Fans Divided in Reaction
While many fans expressed enthusiasm over the announcement, others voiced disappointment over Smith’s portrayal of Harris, citing it as a missed opportunity for greater inclusivity in representing desirable body types on screen.
“Harris in the book describes himself as slightly chubby, non-athletic, and is depicted by Troy as having a broad chest, sturdy physique, soft midsection, and being robust and rugged, and I am saddened that we are losing that aspect of Harris,” shared BookTok content creator Taylor Layne, known as Taylor Just Reads, in a TikTok video on Sunday.
“As a proud gay Libra myself, I deeply related to Harris, and I was eagerly anticipating more representation of diverse body types, particularly in a series about muscular athletes. […] I believe the show will be exceptional and the actors will excel, but simultaneously, I am disheartened.”
Comments on Crave’s Instagram and TikTok posts unveiling the casting choices are filled with a mix of