What to know
- Rachel Reid addressed concerns about a lack of plus-size Queer representation in Heated Rivalry’s new cast.
- The controversy comes after Crave announced the series’s season two lineup.
- Fans called for greater diversity and inclusion in the show’s casting.
Crave’s Canadian Queer hockey series, Heated Rivalry, recently unveiled its season two cast, and after controversy over the lack of plus-size Queer representation, author Rachel Reid is speaking up.
After Heated Rivalry’s rise to fame, the show was renewed for a second season and is expected to air, hopefully, in April 2027.
The show, which is based on the Game Changer novel series by Canadian author Rachel Reid, has become a fan favourite for challenging traditional views of masculinity in sports, following two male hockey rivals in a secret relationship.
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Despite making advancements in Queer representation on mainstream TV, the show is getting criticism over its lack of plus-size Queer representation in its recent second season casting.
In a recent Instagram post, Crave revealed actors Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie were among new faces joining the cast for season two.
But the casting didn’t receive a very positive response; rather, many people shared concerns about accurate plus-size representation for character Harris Drover, the love interest of another new character, hockey player Troy Barrett.
Drover is meant to be played by actor Justice Smith, despite the original character being plus-size.
Fandom reaction was wondering why the casting was “erasing Harris’s stocky, bear body” and expressing heartbreak over the choice.
“So no body inclusivity, got it,” one Instagram user said.
“I’m so disappointed with the cast for Harris, is not for the actor, he’s amazing, but we have the opportunity to do something with a plus size/chubby boy, this is so sad,” another user wrote.
“Bittersweet casting for Harris. Happy to see a person of color, but sad he’s not on the thicker side like in the books. Was really hoping for that specifically,” another added.
“There is not Black plus size man in Canada or USA? SO DISAPPOINTED,” another commented.
“It’s so disappointing to see the decision to make Harris thin. That goes against so much of the storytelling and who he is,” one user stated.
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Upon the cast’s reveal, Reid posted, “Old friends and new friends,” in one Instagram story, and followed up with another, stating her happiness at finally being able to follow the actors.
However, following criticism from the Heated Rivalry fandom, Reid clapped back in another Instagram story.
“Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad,” she wrote in the story.
Whether fans are disappointed by the casting choice or simply celebrating the show’s second season renewal, Reid’s comments suggest she is confident in the casting for the hit show’s second season.
