‘Heated Rivalry’ season 2: Everything we know so far

The season 1 finale of Heated Rivalry closed with Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov finally stepping into the open. Now, with a second season officially on the way, fans are eager to know what comes next for the hockey rivals turned partners.

From confirmed renewals to story clues pulled straight from Rachel Reid’s books, here is everything we know so far about Heated Rivalry season 2.

Season 2 is officially happening

Heated Rivalry has been renewed for a second season and will continue streaming on HBO Max in the US and Crave in Canada. The renewal followed strong critical reception and a highly engaged fan response, particularly to the show’s restrained and emotionally grounded finale.

The story will continue rather than reset, picking up after the events of the episode titled The Cottage.

Shane and Ilya remain central for now

Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who play Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, are both expected to return. The actors have previously confirmed that they signed contracts covering three seasons when they were cast.

While multi-season contracts do not guarantee long-term focus, season 2 is still firmly centred on Shane and Ilya. Their relationship remains the emotional core of the series.

That may evolve later. As seen with shows like Bridgerton, future seasons can shift focus while keeping original leads in supporting roles. For now, however, season 2 remains their story.

What season 2 will explore

Season 2 will be based on Rachel Reid’s novel The Long Game, which examines what happens after secrecy ends and real consequences begin.

Shane and Ilya are no longer hiding from each other, but the outside world presents a far greater challenge. Shane’s fear of jeopardising his career has not disappeared, while Ilya is more prepared to live openly and publicly. That imbalance creates new tension, even as the couple plans a future together.

The story also moves deeper into themes of mental health, public scrutiny and what it means to choose honesty in a sport that has not always been welcoming.

Will there be new characters and storylines?

Season 1 expanded its world by introducing a secondary storyline involving Scott Hunter and Kip Grady, another queer relationship navigating professional hockey. Season 2 is expected to follow a similar structure, potentially drawing from other characters in Reid’s Game Changers book series.

No additional casting has been confirmed yet, but the groundwork is in place for new perspectives and parallel arcs.

When will season 2 be released?

An official release date has not yet been announced. Based on production timelines, season 2 is expected to arrive sometime in late 2026 at the earliest.

For now, the message of the finale lingers. Season 1 was about learning how to love in secret. Season 2 will test what happens when that love is finally visible.