Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid has responded to negative reactions surrounding two major additions to the show’s second season, according to Deadline. Justice Smith (Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, The American Society of Magical Negroes) and Charlie Gillespie (One Night Only, Sidelined 2: Intercepted) have joined season two of the Crave series as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively.
The characters are the central couple from Role Model, the fifth book in Reid’s bestselling Game Changer series. Following the casting announcement, Reid appeared to address criticism from some fans through a post on her Instagram Story.
“Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…” Reid wrote alongside a side-eye selfie. Her comment referenced the reaction to the casting of Connor Storrie (Criminal Minds, For All Mankind) and Hudson Williams (Human Nature, Laufey: Madwoman) in the roles of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander.
Deadline notes their performances helped make the first season breakout success and raised both actors’ profiles. As mxdwn previously reported, Smith and Gillespie were recently announced as two of the biggest new additions to season two.
That article explained that Gillespie will play Troy, a professional hockey player who joins the Ottawa Centaurs, while Smith will play Harris, the team’s social media manager. It also highlighted comments from showrunner Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy), who said the pair connected with the characters’ vulnerability and resilience at the center.
Deadline reports that Role Model gives both characters major roles. Troy has a history of bullying, while Harris is presented as a much more cheerful presence within the team organization. Production on season two began in Canada earlier this week, with the new season expected to premiere in spring 2027.
Tierney also defended the casting, saying Reid created two characters audiences can root for. “Justice and Charlie do exactly that,” they said of bringing Harris and Troy to the screen. “They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters.”
Reid’s response suggests she is not overly concerned by the early criticism. After similar doubts surrounded the casting of Ilya and Shane before season one, she appears confident that Smith and Gillespie can win over viewers once season two arrives.