Heated Rivalry Expands with Two New Seasons and Holiday Film
The hit hockey romance series is filming back-to-back seasons alongside a theatrical holiday movie.
1Ambitious Production Expansion
Crave’s romantic drama Heated Rivalry is currently filming two additional six-episode seasons back-to-back. This production strategy follows the massive success of the show’s first season, which premiered in late 2025. While Crave has not officially confirmed these projects, reports indicate that filming will conclude by the end of this year.
2The Holiday Film Project
Beyond the new seasons, a standalone holiday-themed film is scheduled for production this December. Sources suggest the movie will receive a theatrical release next December. Unlike the main series, this project will reportedly exclude lead actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, shifting the narrative focus to secondary characters from the first season.
3Focus on Supporting Characters
The holiday film is expected to center on Scott Hunter and Kip Grady, portrayed by François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. This narrative choice aligns with author Rachel Reid’s short story, Merry Christmas, Scott and Kip! which depicts the duo’s first holiday together. The story was previously available on Reid’s website but is now removed.
4Evidence of Back-to-Back Filming
Speculation regarding the dual-season shoot intensified after a leaked Cameo video from guest star Dylan Walsh. Walsh mentioned filming 12 episodes, which some interpreted as a supersized second season. Showrunner Jacob Tierney clarified that Season 2 remains six episodes, implying the total count covers both the second and third seasons of the series.
5Adapting the Literary Source
Season 2 is expected to adapt Book 6, The Long Game, continuing the romance between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The production will also introduce new characters from the book Role Model, specifically Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, played by Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie. Additional cast members include Emily Hampshire and Brendan Morgan.
6Theatrical Distribution Strategy
Heated Rivalry has already experimented with theatrical screenings, with paired episodes from Season 1 appearing in Regal, AMC, and Cinemark locations. Recent data showed 880 theaters reporting $420,000 in Friday revenue, projecting a strong $1.3 million opening weekend. This success supports the studio's plan to bring the upcoming holiday film to cinemas.
7Global Impact and Casting
Since its debut on November 28, 2025, the series has achieved significant cultural reach, turning leads Storrie and Williams into global stars. The show, which streams on HBO Max in the United States, continues to integrate elements from various books in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, maintaining a consistent narrative momentum for fans.
8Future Outlook and Timeline
Season 2 is officially confirmed for a spring 2027 premiere, with an April launch currently considered likely. While the network maintains a formal stance of having no projects to confirm, the combination of two new seasons and a theatrical film marks a major expansion for the franchise’s presence in both streaming and cinema.
Original article: Deadline — Heated Rivalry Expands with Two New Seasons and Holiday Film