Two fresh lead actors are set to join the cast for the second season of Crave’s popular hockey-themed series “Heated Rivalry.” Daniel Diemer, a Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in the TV series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will take on the character of hockey player Ryan Price. Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi, known for his part in the HBO show “War,” will portray musician Fabian Salah, who becomes Ryan’s love interest.
Ryan and Fabian are the central figures in the third book of Rachel Reid’s acclaimed Game Changer hockey romance series titled “Tough Guy.” The novel follows the journey of professional hockey enforcer Ryan Price, who, upon being traded to the Toronto team, encounters Fabian in the city’s gay village. Despite a past almost-kiss during high school, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces. However, a potential future together may require Ryan to make a life-altering decision regarding his hockey career.
Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, the writer and producer, expressed excitement about the unique dynamic that Daniel and Shaheen bring to the characters created by Rachel Reid. Season one of the series adapted the first two books in Reid’s series, and season two will continue to explore the evolving relationship between hockey rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from the novel “The Long Game.”
In addition to the returning stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, the upcoming season will also introduce the narratives of Troy Barrett, a hockey player traded to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book in the series, “Role Model.” Crave has revealed that Justice Smith from “Julie and the Phantoms” will join the cast as Harris.
The show’s expansion of characters and storylines has generated excitement among fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the captivating world of “Heated Rivalry.”