Deadline has reported that Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Good Neighbors) has released some details on the upcoming season of Heated Rivalry, based on the sequel novel, The Long Game. The new season is expected to be released in April 2027. Tierney stated that the second season may need to be split into two parts as its source material is the longest of the original author Rachel Reid’s work. “Who said I’m doing it all? There’s a lot of material,” Tierney said.
A log line for the upcoming season is as follows: “In The Long Game, Shane and Ilya are forced to confront their fears and insecurities — wrestling with codependency, depression, and self-perception — while trying to maintain the love that binds them. To help craft the complex and mature nuances of the upcoming season,” via Deadline.
Tierney has brought on Michael Goldbach (Daydream Nation, North Of North) as a co-writer. Tierny was not hesitant to sing Goldbach’s praises, “Mike is not just an old, dear friend of mine who I’ve known for years. He’s legitimately one of my favorite writers. I said this to him just the other day because I’m about to read his first draft of a script. I was like, ‘I’m so fucking lucky that I get to read your writing again and it’s for my show.’ He writes with so much heart and humor, and he’s so smart. But he also does a thing where he always zigs where you’re supposed to zag,” via Deadline.
Tierney expands on his writing process further, speaking on how he will remain faithful to the source material,”When I talked to Rachel for the first time about Heated Rivalry, I wanted to take this seriously because I think that’s what this material deserves. There’s a version of it that’s pulpy and soapy, but I wanted to take it seriously because I am really transfixed by this relationship,” via Deadline
Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams (Tracker, Allegiance) and Connor Storie (April X, Joker: Folie á Deux), both of whom have reached near instant stardom from the series. According to mxdwn, Storie recently hosted SNL for the first time, and Hudson Williams is set to star in another series from Heated Rivalry studio Crave.
Williams, who is half-Korean, has experienced a great deal of online hate for his race. Williams addressed that this backlash is antithetical to the message of the show, “Don’t call yourself a fan if you share racist / homophobic /biphobic/ misogynistic/ ageist/ ableist/ parasocial/ bigoted comments of any kind. None of us needs your hateful ‘love’. We all respect and support and love each other and are on the same side. If you can’t accept that then gtfoh,” via Deadline.