Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid responds to Season 2 casting critics by recalling past backlash

Fans are waiting for Heated Rivalry Season 2, but there are some who have expressed disappointment with the casting decisions. And despite the pushback from fans, Rachel Reid seems to have a reason not to take the criticism too seriously.

She wrote on her Instagram story (via Variety):

"Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…"

It has been revealed that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie are stepping into Season 2 as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, and this decision is actually drawing criticism from many. Reid, who wrote the Game Changer books, which inspired the TV series, addressed the backlash and said a familiar situation happened from before the show's first season.

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who stole hearts with their on-screen chemistry as the main couple, also faced doubts from some viewers when they were first cast. But once they appeared as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, the series ended up as a big hit, with people praising the pair.

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Rachel Reid recalls Season 1 casting backlash as fans react to new Heated Rivalry Season 2 cast

Rachel Reid has responded to Heated Rivalry Season 2 cast backlash, which actually carries some history behind it. After Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie were announced for Season 2, Reid appeared to remind fans that the show's original casting had faced its share of skepticism.

She highlighted the doubts that emerged when the main cast members, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, were finalized. This happened before Season 1 arrived, and Reid herself had previously spoken about initially having reservations about whether Williams and Storrie were the right choices for the characters.

But that uncertainty did not last long once Heated Rivalry premiered. Williams and Storrie gained a huge fanbase, and they went from relatively little-known actors to fan-favorite couples on-screen.

So this way, Rachel Reid seems to be explaining that the cast faced criticism before as well, and now with Season 2 upcoming, history is repeating itself. It's also a reminder for fans that they should wait until the new chapter arrives and witness how the new characters are presented in the story.

Who Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie will play in Heated Rivalry Season 2

As the new chapter of the series is all set to come out, two key characters from Rachel Reid's book, Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, will also step into the series. Justice Smith will be seen as Drover, while Charlie Gillespie has taken up the role of Barrett for Heated Rivalry Season 2.

These characters are both connected to Ottawa Centaurs, but they belong to very different places within the team. Harris works in communications and social media, where he is well-liked around the club and helps shape the team's public presence.

On the other side, Troy is a professional hockey player who arrives in Ottawa after being traded from the Toronto Guardians. In Reid's Role Model, Troy is facing a difficult time after his former teammate, Dallas Kent, is facing sexual assault allegations.

This leaves him with a damaged reputation, and Harris becomes one of the people who helps Troy find his footing in Ottawa. That's how their story moves forward, but the makers haven't confirmed the exact details about Troy and Harris's story in Heated Rivalry Season 2.

The book does serve as the source material, but fans should also be prepared for some changes. There were changes in Season 1 as well, and it's coming for the TV series to add new details to fit into the television version.

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