Justice Smith Vows to Cherish Harris Drover in ‘Heated Rivalry’
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - Justice Smith has been cast as Harris Drover, and Charlie Gillespie will play Troy Barrett in the series "Heated Rivalry."
The Hollywood Reporter - Rachel Reid is the author of the novels that "Heated Rivalry" is based on.
The Hollywood Reporter - Jacob Tierney is the showrunner, writer, and director of the series, with Brendan Brady as an executive producer.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - Justice Smith expressed gratitude for the support from fans, stating, “I am moved by the support and love I’m getting from fans in my DMs.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Smith promised to take good care of the character Harris Drover, saying, “I am honored to play a character you all care about deeply and I promise I will take good care of him if you give me the chance.”
The Hollywood Reporter - "Heated Rivalry" has been renewed for a second season by Crave and will continue to air on HBO Max.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - Ottawa is expected to be the filming location for the second season of "Heated Rivalry."
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - Filming for the second season of "Heated Rivalry" is set to begin this month.
The Hollywood Reporter - The second season is aiming for a spring 2027 release.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - The casting of Smith and Gillespie has sparked online discourse among fans regarding the portrayal of beloved literary characters.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - The casting process aimed to find actors who could create a special connection and bring depth to the characters of Harris and Troy, as stated by Tierney and Brady.
(UPDATED August 10, 2026 11:20 UTC)
Justice Smith has been cast as Harris Drover, while Charlie Gillespie will portray Troy Barrett in the upcoming series "Heated Rivalry," which is based on novels by Rachel Reid. The showrunner, Jacob Tierney, along with executive producer Brendan Brady, expressed their commitment to finding actors who can bring depth to these beloved characters, and filming for the second season is set to begin this month in Ottawa, with a release planned for spring 2027. Smith has shared his gratitude for fan support and promised to honor the character of Harris Drover, saying he will take good care of him if given the chance.