Heated Rivalry Gets Encouraging Season 2 Filming Update

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HBO had a fantastic 2025, launching popular shows like The Pitt and Heated Rivalry. The Pitt is already back for a second season, but production on Heated Rivalry hasn’t begun yet.

The show won’t be back for a while, but star Connor Storrie recently hinted on TODAY that filming for Season 2 might begin this summer.

The actor said Jacob Tierney, who is both writing and directing the new film, is still working on the script. They expect to start filming soon, but don’t have a confirmed date yet.

When pushed whether “soon” meant this summer, the actor confirmed, “Yeah, I think about then.”

Storrie shared this news a few weeks after the show’s creator released an update for Season 2. Following the Season 1 finale, Jacob Tierney mentioned he’s writing the script now, but wasn’t sure about what comes next.

Tierney said they’re aiming to launch the project quickly, likely within a year. It definitely won’t take two years, and they don’t expect it to take as long as 18 months. They’re working as fast as possible while still making sure the quality is excellent.

When asked if renewing the show early would speed things up, he explained that a one-person writing and directing process has natural limitations. He hasn’t begun writing the new season yet, but plans to. The team is aware of the desire for a quick release and is committed to delivering a strong second season as soon as possible.

Fortunately, the show doesn’t have to begin with a completely new story. It’s based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers books, and Season 2 will cover The Long Game, which continues the story of Shane and Ilya a few years after the first season ended.

Filming for the first season began in April 2025 and wrapped up in under two months. The show debuted later that year, and while it’s not certain, a recent update from Storrie suggests a possible return in late 2026.

Heated Rivalry Could Continue With Season 3

The new hockey drama has only just started, but there’s potential for it to continue beyond the already confirmed Season 2. While Season 3 hasn’t been officially renewed yet, the show has a good chance of getting one, especially since the story is based on a book series with more to tell.

Rachel Reid’s new novel, Unrivaled, will be released on September 29, 2026. It’s the third book continuing the story of Shane and Ilya, and the seventh installment in the series. Although the second season of the show adaptation isn’t out yet, the fact that a third book is planned suggests a positive outlook for the series’ future.

The show centers on Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Storrie, two incredibly talented hockey players. They’re driven to succeed, constantly competing with each other, and share a powerful connection that they can’t quite explain.

This story follows Shane and Ilya, two young athletes whose secret romance blossoms over eight years. As they pursue success in their sport, they grapple with their feelings for each other, constantly torn between their competitive lives and a love they can’t deny. They must ultimately decide if a lasting relationship is possible in their demanding world.

Heated Rivalry Season 1 is streaming on HBO Max. Season 2 doesn’t have a release date yet.

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2026-01-15 00:39