Fans expecting a single follow-up to Crave’s hockey romance got a larger order: sources tell Deadline that Heated Rivalry has not one but two six-episode seasons filming back-to-back, plus a standalone movie. The pair of seasons is currently shooting and is expected to wrap in late November or early December, with a holiday-themed film set to shoot immediately after, according to the report.
The movie, described as a Christmas special, is planned for a theatrical release in December 2027. It will center on Season 1’s other couple—Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (Robbie G.K.)—rather than the series’ leads, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who will not appear in the film, Deadline reported. The project is reportedly based on author Rachel Reid’s short story Merry Christmas, Scott and Kip!
A representative for Crave said there are no projects to confirm. However, series creator Jacob Tierney told Andy Cohen last month that production would be complete by the end of the year, a timeline that aligns with the reported back-to-back shoot and December movie production.
Seasons 2 and 3 Film Back-to-Back Through Early December
Both new seasons consist of six episodes each, a detail Tierney confirmed after speculation that Season 2 would be supersized to 12 episodes. That theory emerged after recurring guest star Dylan Walsh said in a leaked August Cameo video, “I think we’re doing 12 [episodes] this time.” Tierney clarified to SiriusXM that Season 2, like Season 1, will have six episodes, though he did not specify at the time that a third season was also in production.
Seasons 2 and 3 are filming consecutively and are on track to finish by late November or early December, according to Deadline. Season 2 is confirmed to premiere in spring 2027, with an April launch likely, nearly a year and a half after the first season debuted on Nov. 28, 2025.
The Holiday Film Follows Scott and Kip, Not Shane and Ilya
The standalone movie shifts focus to Scott and Kip’s first Christmas together, drawing from Reid’s short story of the same name. François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. will reprise their roles, with additional characters from the series also featured, Deadline reported. Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, whose characters Shane and Ilya anchor the main series, are not part of the film.
The decision comes as both actors have taken on other high-profile projects: Storrie is set to appear in Marvel’s Ghost Rider, and Williams stars in the thriller Apparatus opposite Dylan O’Brien, according to Screen Rant. No details are yet available on whether the holiday film will follow Season 1’s limited theatrical model or aim for a wide release.
Season 2 Adapts The Long Game and Adds a New Couple
Season 2 will continue Shane and Ilya’s story by tackling Book 6 of Reid’s Game Changers series, The Long Game, while introducing a new couple: Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, played by Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie. Emily Hampshire, Brendan Morgan, David Tomlinson, and Lauren Chan join the cast as new additions, Deadline reported.
Season 1’s Theatrical Run Tracks $1.3 Million
The news of additional seasons and a movie arrives while Season 1 is in a limited theatrical run across the U.S. and Canada from Nov. 6–30 at more than 650 locations, including Regal, AMC, and Cinemark theaters. As of Saturday morning, 880 theaters reported collecting $420,000 on Friday, tracking toward a $1.3 million opening weekend, Deadline reported. Regal Entertainment Distribution is handling the release of the paired-episode screenings.
Questions Fans Are Asking About the Movie and Season 3
When does Heated Rivalry Season 2 premiere?
Season 2 is confirmed for spring 2027, with an April launch likely, according to Deadline.
Will Shane and Ilya appear in the Christmas movie?
No. Deadline reported that Connor Storrie’s Ilya and Hudson Williams’ Shane will not be in the film, which instead focuses on Scott and Kip.
Season 2 consists of six episodes. Six. Creator Jacob Tierney clarified that Season 2 matches Season 1’s episode count, debunking earlier speculation of a 12-episode season.
Is the movie officially confirmed by Crave?
Not yet. A Crave representative said there are no projects to confirm, though Deadline, AOL, and Screen Rant all report the movie and Season 3 are in production based on sources.
The franchise’s expansion comes as Heated Rivalry holds a 97% critics’ score and 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the series having turned Storrie and Williams from unknowns into global stars within a year of its premiere.
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