As one of the many people who became obsessed with Heated Rivalry last year, you best believe I’ve been impatiently awaiting the second season of this book-to-screen adaptation. Many other fans have as well, and the intense popularity of this show has been a lot to take in. Now, as the cast and crew get back to work on Season 2, they are urging fans to remain calm and give them the space they need to film this next chapter of Shane and Ilya’s story.
Unlike when they filmed Season 1, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who play Ilya and Shane, respectively, are household names and viral heartthrobs. These actors and this show are so big that even the NHL’s commissioner has commented on it all, and now, all eyes will be on them and this production. However, as filming begins in Toronto, creator Jacob Tierney and the show’s team are urging fans to give them “space.” Here’s the full statement that was posted on Instagram:
To our incredible fans and everyone who’s been sharing in the excitement for the show: Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness have meant the world to us. As we gear up for more Heated Rivalry, please help us in making it the best it can be. If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, places give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best. We promise it’ll be worth the wait!
It’s no secret that Heated Rivalry fans are intense. In fact, earlier this year, Hudson Williams called out fans’ “hateful love” on social media. He also confronted autograph seekers in Paris this summer, calling them out for following him and then trying to light the headshots they were holding on fire (via E! News).
Most recently, Williams and Storrie were spotted on the streets of Toronto, with images posted by Deux Moi of them walking around going viral on social media.
The fact of the matter is, while many fans are respectful and polite, when a show like this gets as big as it is, toxic fandom and extreme attention are hard to avoid. So, Heated Rivalry is taking precautions as it enters production, in the hopes that they can glide through this next chapter without any major incidents or leaks.
Speaking of this next chapter, Season 2 of Heated Rivalry will follow the events of Rachel Reid’s book, The Long Game. Tierney has said he’ll stay faithful to that story, and considering Season 1 is incredibly close to its source material, I don’t doubt him for a second. That means we should get to meet some new characters (and couples) as Shane and Ilya work through the next step in their relationship. And trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
However, while we’ll all be paying close attention when the show comes out (hopefully in 2027), for now, maybe steer clear of it. Keep The Long Game in mind, and let them cook in Canada. That way, when it's time, we'll all get to enjoy another magical season of this show so many of us fell in love with last year. In the meantime, you can rewatch Season 1 of Heated Rivalry with an HBO Max subscription.
