The wait for more Shane and Ilya is officially underway. As production begins on the second season of Heated Rivalry, showrunner Jacob Tierney is asking the series’ passionate fanbase to give the cast and crew the room they need to bring the next chapter of the hockey romance to life.
In a recent Instagram post, Tierney acknowledged the excitement surrounding the show’s return while encouraging fans to respect filming locations and the people working behind the scenes.
“As we gear up for more Heated Rivalry, please help us in making it the best it can be,” Tierney wrote. “If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best.”
The request comes as anticipation for Season 2 reaches new heights. Lead actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, who play rival hockey stars Shane and Ilya, have already been spotted in Toronto, where portions of the upcoming season are being filmed. Production will also return to Montréal, Tierney's hometown and home of the fictional Montreal Metros, the hockey franchise where Shane Hollander built his reputation before his career took him elsewhere.
Based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave before becoming an unexpected international hit following its release on HBO Max. What began as a Canadian sports romance quickly turned into a global phenomenon, introducing Williams and Storrie to a devoted audience that has followed both the fictional relationship and the actors themselves with intense interest.
That attention has occasionally created challenges for the cast, as actors have previously addressed concerns about fans who have crossed personal boundaries. Tierney’s message is a reminder that enthusiasm for the series should not come at the expense of the people creating it.
Season 2, due out next Spring, will continue the story of Shane and Ilya as they navigate the pressures of professional hockey, public expectations and their evolving relationship.
