Three established actors have been added to the cast of “Heated Rivalry” as the popular ice hockey romance series prepares for its second season on HBO Max next spring. Kevin Zegers, known for his roles in “The Madison” and “Transamerica,” will take on the character of Coach Wiebe. Paul Gross, recognized for appearances in “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “Tales of the City,” has been cast as Commissioner Roger Crowell. Meanwhile, action film veteran Milla Jovovich joins the ensemble in the role of Dr. Galina Molchalina.
The new additions expand an already substantial supporting cast alongside series regulars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who play the central characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The second season will explore the protagonists’ relationship as they navigate playing on geographically closer teams and the challenges of making their romance public. Created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” book series, the show draws Season 2’s premise from “The Long Game,” the sixth installment in Reid’s collection.
Originally launched on Canada’s Crave platform, “Heated Rivalry” achieved unexpected mainstream success following its arrival on HBO Max in late 2025. The series experienced substantial growth through word-of-mouth promotion during early 2026, ultimately attracting an average audience exceeding 10 million viewers per episode in the United States.
Originally reported by Variety →
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