“Heated Rivalry” Season 2 continues to expand its cast with two major additions. Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi have joined the upcoming season of the popular hockey drama.
Diemer will play Ryan Price, while Jafargholi will portray Fabian Salah. Crave and HBO Max have not released official character descriptions yet. However, fans of Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” book series already know the characters well.
Ryan and Fabian serve as the central couple in “Tough Guy,” the third book in Reid’s series. Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry” will actually draw its main story from “The Long Game,” the sixth book in the series. Their inclusion suggests that the show will continue expanding its world beyond the original central romance.
Who Are Ryan Price and Fabian Salah?
Ryan Price is a Canadian professional hockey player in Rachel Reid’s books. He has spent much of his career moving between teams in the National Hockey League. His personal struggles also play a major role in his story.
Ryan deals with anxiety and body image issues. These challenges add emotional depth to his character. His journey also explores confidence, relationships and the pressure that professional athletes face.
Fabian Salah takes a very different path. He is a Lebanese Canadian indie musician who lives openly as a gay man. His personality and career give him a strong identity outside the hockey world.
Together, Ryan and Fabian bring another emotional storyline to the “Game Changers” universe. Their relationship also gives the television series an opportunity to explore new themes and perspectives.
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Daniel Diemer Joins the Hockey Drama
Diemer brings several notable credits to “Heated Rivalry” Season 2. Viewers may recognize him from Season 2 of Disney+’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” which aired in 2025.
He also appeared in the 2020 Netflix movie “The Half of It.” The actor has continued to build a diverse screen career across television and film.
His casting as Ryan gives him a character with plenty of emotional complexity. Ryan’s struggles require a performance that balances vulnerability with the physical confidence expected from a professional hockey player.
Shaheen Jafargholi Takes on Fabian
Shaheen Jafargholi will play Fabian Salah. The actor has also built an impressive television résumé.
His recent credits include Season 2 of Paramount+’s “The Agency.” He will also appear in “War,” which is scheduled to premiere on HBO and Sky in October.
Fabian represents another important addition to the series. His music career and openly gay identity set him apart from many of the hockey-focused characters in the story.
Jafargholi’s casting could help bring Fabian’s confidence, personality and emotional struggles to a wider audience.
Returning and New Cast Members
Diemer and Jafargholi join an expanding Season 2 ensemble. Recently announced cast members include Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees and Priyanka.
Meanwhile, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams will return to their roles from the first season. Their return remains one of the biggest reasons fans are looking forward to the next chapter.
The growing cast also shows how the series plans to expand beyond its original storyline. Season 2 can introduce new relationships while continuing the stories viewers already know.
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What to Expect From Heated Rivalry Season 2
Jacob Tierney will continue as the series writer and director. He also serves as an executive producer alongside Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson.
Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje serve as producers. Rachel Reid works as a consulting producer, while Mike Goldbach joins as a co-writer for Season 2.
Bell Media’s Crave commissioned the series with support from the Canada Media Fund. Crave produces the show with Accent Augu Entertainment. Bell’s Sphere Abacus handles international distribution.
Tierney and Brady praised the new actors in a statement. They said Ryan and Fabian bring different energy to Reid’s fictional world. They also highlighted Diemer and Jafargholi’s confidence and emotional honesty.
“Heated Rivalry” Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027. Fans can expect more hockey drama, romance and character-driven storytelling when the series returns.
The addition of Ryan Price and Fabian Salah could make the second season even broader. It also gives viewers a chance to see more of Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” universe on screen.
