Heated Rivalry Season 2 is currently filming in Canada, and is expected to come out in the spring of 2027. Dylan Walsh raised more questions when he said he thought the team was filming 12 episodes. He later said that the viral Cameo video got him in trouble.
That doesn’t support a 12-episode season or Seasons 2 and 3 coming right after each other. The arrival of new cast members also hints at a bigger story for Shane and Ilya.
What Did Dylan Walsh Say About Heated Rivalry Season 2?
Image © 2025 Sabrina Lantos / HBO Max
The latest Heated Rivalry Season 2 update came from Dylan Walsh, who plays David Hollander, Shane Hollander’s father. In a Cameo video, Walsh said he was preparing to return to Canada to film more episodes and added, “I think we’re doing 12 this time.”
The comment quickly drew attention because the first season of Heated Rivalry had only six episodes. It also raised questions about how much story the second season may cover.
Why Did Dylan Walsh Say His Cameo Video Got Him in Trouble?
Walsh later paused his Cameo account after the video spread online. Entertainment Weekly reported that his profile said, “Stepping away because a video went viral that got me in trouble.”
No representative for Walsh, HBO Max, or Crave explained what specifically caused the problem, so it is not clear whether the issue was the episode count, filming details, or something else.
- Cameo comment: Walsh said he was “getting ready to go back up to Canada and shoot some more episodes” before adding that he thought they were doing 12 this time.
- Cameo fallout: Entertainment Weekly reported that Walsh’s profile showed him unavailable for personalized videos until August 2027 after the Instagram Story and wider social media discussion pushed the clip further.
- Creator context: Showrunner Jacob Tierney previously told the Los Angeles Times, “I don’t need to do 10. I would always rather tighten the belt than get loosey-goosey.” That statement makes a possible 12-episode rivalry season especially notable.
Could Heated Rivalry Season 2 Really Have 12 Episodes?
There has been no official confirmation of a 12-episode heated rivalry season. Walsh didn’t say exactly what he meant, and neither HBO Max nor Crave Original have said anything about an expanded episode order.
Since there were six episodes in the first season, fans have been trying to figure out if the number 12 refers to just the sophomore season or to a bigger plan for making the show.
- Story material: Author Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. The Long Game, the sixth book in Reid’s series, provides substantial material involving Ilya and Shane, Shane’s cottage, personal limits, new obstacles, and new self-realizations.
- New characters: Justice Smith will play Harris Drover, while Charlie Gillespie will play Troy Barrett. Harris and Troy come from Role Model, another Game Changer novel in the Game Changers series, giving season 2 another storyline beyond Rozanov and Shane Hollander.
- Casting approach: Executive producer Brendan Brady said the casting process focused on finding actors who could create something truly special. The team wanted two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy, with the same depth and an instinctive understanding of each other. The actors reportedly immediately connected with the material.
Are Heated Rivalry Seasons 2 and 3 Being Filmed Together?
That theory remains unconfirmed. Fans noticed that 12 episodes could equal two six-episode seasons, which led to speculation that Heated Rivalry Seasons 2 and 3 might be filmed together. However, no statement from Jacob Tierney, writer Jacob Tierney’s production team, HBO Max, or Crave has confirmed exactly that.
- Confirmed production: Heated Rivalry season 2 is filming in Canada, with the second season expected to arrive in spring 2027. Connor Storrie returns as Ilya Rozanov, while Hudson Williams returns as Shane Hollander.
- Expanded world: Rachel Reid has given the adaptation room to introduce Harris Drover, a social media manager connected to the Ottawa Centaurs, and Troy Barrett. Their Role Model storyline can expand the heightened reality of the series without relying on real leagues.
- What remains unknown: Scott Hunter, Kip Grady, the Toronto Guardians, shoe drops, and other parts of Rachel Reid’s wider universe do not confirm another season. For now, rivalry season 2 is the confirmed production, and any claim that two seasons are being filmed together should remain labeled as speculation.
Final Thoughts
We still don’t know how many episodes Heat Rivalry Season 2 will have, but work is still going on. Because it kept the romance going and made Ilya and Shane’s story about being strong, the first season was a success.
The TV glow will last as long as the characters choose each other when they need to solve new problems. You shouldn’t believe a production schedule for early August or an order for 12 episodes until they are confirmed.
FAQs
Yes. Heated Rivalry Season 2 is confirmed and filming in Canada, with Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie returning as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Yes. The second season is underway, with Justice Smith and Canadian singer and actor Charlie Gillespie joining as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively.
No. Current reporting points to spring 2027, while an early August announcement or another official update could provide more precise release information.
Scott Hunter and Kip Grady are part of Rachel Reid’s wider Game Changers universe, but their Season 2 appearances have not been confirmed, so fans must wait for the other shoe to drop.
Fans can expect new relationship challenges and Role Model characters; Tierney told the Los Angeles Times he prefers tighter seasons, while the casting team sought characters bringing an instinctive connection, helping preserve the TV glow, the way the first season worked, and relationships that consistently choose love with resilience at the core.