Fans of Crave’s hit hockey romance, Heated Rivalry, have been hunting for clues about the show’s future, and new reporting confirms the wait was worth it, as the series is expanding far beyond a single new season.
According to Deadline, Heated Rivalry is working on three projects: two six-episode seasons and a standalone movie. Stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams anchor the series, which has become one of the streamer’s biggest pop culture sensations. Production is moving fast, with both seasons filming back-to-back to wrap by the end of November or early December. A holiday-themed movie will then shoot in December, targeting a theatrical release next December.
A New Couple for the Holiday Film
The upcoming film will center on a different couple. Scott, played by François Arnaud, and Kip, played by Robbie G.K., will take the lead, with Storrie’s Ilya and Williams’ Shane not appearing. Additional characters from the show will also feature.
The film has a natural source in a short story by Rachel Reid, the author of the Game Changers books that inspired the series, titled Merry Christmas, Scott and Kip!
about the pair’s first Christmas together.
Back-to-Back Seasons and New Cast Members
While the seasons are filming back-to-back, creator Jacob Tierney addressed rumors of a supersized season. In a leaked Cameo video, recurring guest star Dylan Walsh said, I think we’re doing 12 [episodes] this time,
but Tierney later clarified that Season 2 will consist of 6 episodes, just like Season 1.
Season 2 will continue Shane and Ilya’s story through Book 6, The Long Game, while introducing new characters Harris Drover and Troy Barrett from Role Model, played by Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie. Emily Hampshire, Brendan Morgan, David Tomlinson, and Lauren Chan also join the cast.
Season 2 Premieres in Spring 2027
Season 2 is confirmed to premiere in spring 2027, with an April launch likely. Crave has not confirmed any of the other projects, including Season 3 or the movie. For fans, the message is simple: the wait could pay off three times over.
