'Heated Rivalry' producer reveals crew changes to protect season 2 filming atmosphere
“Heated Rivalry producer Brendan Brady has revealed that the production team made changes to its crew to preserve the atmosphere that helped make the first season of the hit hockey romance so special. I…”
In an interview with the Canada Media Fund, Brady discussed the challenges of working on the highly anticipated second season, explaining that the growing attention surrounding the series has made it increasingly important to protect the production environment., the team is making a conscious effort to recreate the relaxed atmosphere of Season 1, despite the increased public interest in the show and its cast.
He recalled a recent filming day outside the city, where the production team organised a barbecue to maintain the same sense of camaraderie that characterised the original season. "There are eyes on us that we can't help but feel, but we are trying to really protect the experience that everybody had on season one," Brady explained.
He also compared the production team to a sports team rather than a family, suggesting that maintaining the right working environment sometimes requires making difficult personnel decisions.
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Rejecting the common entertainment industry description of a cast and crew as a family, Brady explained that he preferred the idea of a team where individuals could be replaced if they were not the right fit.
"There were some folks that weren't right on the team, and we adjusted them," he said, adding that people could be traded out without necessarily being bad individuals. His comments suggest that certain crew members were removed or replaced as the production worked to maintain the atmosphere it wanted for the upcoming season.
However, Brady did not identify the individuals involved or provide specific reasons for the changes. The production is also preparing to welcome several new cast members for Season 2.
While details about their respective roles remain limited, the new additions will join returning stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who play Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov and Canadian player Shane Hollander. Brady's remarks come as the series faces considerably greater attention following its breakout success.
The popularity of Heated Rivalry has brought increased scrutiny to its actors, production and behind-the-scenes activities, with fans eager for updates about the upcoming episodes. François Arnaud, who portrays hockey player Scott Hunter, has also spoken about adjusting to the attention that comes with the show's success.
The actor previously revealed that he was being more protective of himself following the sudden increase in public interest. Beyond the series, Brady and creator Jacob Tierney have also established the Irina Foundation, a charity inspired by Shane and Ilya's story.
The organisation aims to turn the show's popularity into practical support for LGBTQIA2S+ communities and announced that it had raised more than $150,000 globally within its first month. Heated Rivalry Season 2 is expected to premiere in spring 2027, with production currently underway.
The new season will continue Shane and Ilya's story following the success of the first instalment.
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