# Heated Rivalry Expands With Two New Seasons and Holiday Film Crave's hit hockey drama series secures back-to-back production for upcoming installments. - **Source:** [Deadline](https://deadline.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8abd3cf5-aea8-4f90-8789-f41ab8cb2968 ## Production Expansion Confirmed Crave's romantic drama Heated Rivalry is officially expanding its footprint with two additional six-episode seasons currently in production. Sources indicate these seasons are being filmed back-to-back to streamline the schedule. The series, which stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, has become a significant cultural phenomenon since its initial debut last November. ## Standalone Holiday Movie Beyond the two new seasons, a standalone holiday-themed film is scheduled to shoot this December. Unlike the main series, this project will focus on supporting characters Scott and Kip, played by François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. The film is currently slated for a theatrical release in December of next year. ## Theatrical Distribution Strategy The series has successfully experimented with theatrical releases, currently screening paired episodes at Regal, AMC, and Cinemark locations. Recent data shows 880 theaters generated 420,000 dollars on a single Friday. This strategy highlights the growing consumer appetite for streaming content to be experienced within a traditional cinema environment during limited runs. ## Cast and Narrative Evolution Season two will adapt elements from Rachel Reid's novel The Long Game while introducing new characters played by Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie. Additional cast members joining the production include Emily Hampshire, Brendan Morgan, David Tomlinson, and Lauren Chan. These additions aim to broaden the narrative scope beyond the primary hockey rivalry. ## Clarifying Production Rumors Speculation regarding the show's episode count was fueled by a leaked video from guest star Dylan Walsh. Creator Jacob Tierney clarified that season two will maintain the six-episode structure established in the first season. While Crave has not officially confirmed the third season, production is expected to conclude by year-end. ## Global Stardom Overnight Since the series premiered on November 28, leads Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams have transitioned from relative unknowns to global stars. The show's rapid success has turned the hockey-themed romance into a major asset for Crave and HBO Max. This trajectory mirrors the intense fan engagement seen across various modern streaming platforms. ## Source Material Influence The series is based on the bestselling Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid. The upcoming holiday film draws inspiration from her short story, Merry Christmas, Scott and Kip!, which explores the duo's first holiday together. This connection to the source material provides a consistent narrative foundation for the expanding franchise. ## Future Release Outlook Fans can expect the second season of the series to premiere in the spring of 2027, with an April launch currently considered likely. The combination of back-to-back season filming and a theatrical film release represents a robust content strategy. This approach ensures a steady stream of material for the show's dedicated audience. ## Sources covering this story - https://deadline.com/2026/11/heated-rivalry-season-2-season-3-movie-scott-kip-1237216072/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._