The next chapter of ‘Heated Rivalry‘ is heading into deeper emotional ground, and fans are already getting a clear warning about the tone ahead.
At BookCon 2026, showrunner Jacob Tierney revealed that season 2 steps into “much more serious territory,” while also teasing the arrival of a new character he described as “quite damaged.”
Season 2 Of ‘Heated Rivalry’ Moves Into Much More Serious Territory
Tierney joined author Rachel Reid to discuss the adaptation of ‘The Long Game‘, and he made it clear that the story feels very different this time. He joked, “Long Game is … so long, and it’s so gamey, like eating venison,” before explaining the real challenge behind bringing it to screen.
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“It really is different,” Tierney said, adding that “the challenge, from an adaptation standpoint, is you’re in much more serious territory.” He clarified that romance still exists, saying there is “lots of flirting, and there’s lots of sex”. But the tone now carries a sense of danger. The earlier phase of “hotel room, adolescent sex stuff is largely gone,” making way for something more intense.
The new season brings back Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as Shane and Ilya. Production is expected to begin this summer, ahead of a spring 2027 release on HBO Max and Crave.
The story moves ahead by 10 years. Shane and Ilya remain in a relationship, but they continue to keep it hidden. Ilya has left his Boston team and now plays for the Ottawa Centaurs to stay closer to Shane. The pair has also started a charity organization, something they previously discussed at the cottage.
The Story Of ‘The Long Game’ Explores Relationship Struggles In Depth
Tierney explained that adapting ‘The Long Game‘ was always part of the plan, calling it “an emotionally sophisticated book that takes this couple seriously.” This version of the story goes beyond initial attraction and delves into the realities of maintaining a long-term relationship.
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He raised an important point during the panel: “What do you do after the rush of danger is gone and yet now you have to live in a relationship where you still aren’t communicating properly, much as you would like to?”. He added that simply saying “you love each other” does not solve everything, as adults understand there is far more involved in making a relationship work. That struggle becomes a central part of Shane and Ilya’s journey.
Reid also hinted at a key moment she is eager to see on screen. She spoke about an intense Christmas scene between Shane and Ilya and said, “I can’t wait to see that [on the show],” suggesting it will carry a strong emotional impact.
Tierney confirmed that elements of Role Model will appear in the storyline. He noted, “To the great surprise of absolutely nobody, parts of Role Model are gonna be in Long Game”.
Troy’s ‘Damaged’ Character Adds Emotional Intensity
One of the biggest additions is Troy Barrett, a forward who joins the Ottawa Centaurs alongside Ilya. His role goes far beyond being just another player on the team.
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Tierney spoke directly about Troy, explaining that some may view his story in simpler terms, describing it as “very ‘grumpy sunshine,’ very ‘apple orchard’”. However, he made it clear that the show will take a deeper approach. “There is an easy, facile way of looking at Role Model,” he said. But then he added, “Troy is a really damaged guy. And Troy is quite damaged on the show. I would say we’re digging into that even harder.”
Troy’s storyline unfolds alongside Harris Drover, the team’s social media manager, adding another layer to the narrative. Behind the scenes, Tierney is working alongside Michael Goldbach to bring this story to life. He hinted that ‘The Long Game‘ might extend beyond a single season, saying, “It’s a lot of book”. He also admitted he would get into trouble if he revealed more details.
Season 2 clearly aims to push ‘Heated Rivalry‘ into a more demanding chapter. Stronger emotional conflicts, a deeper look at relationships, and the introduction of a “quite damaged” character suggest that the story is evolving.
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