Kevin Zegers, Milla Jovovich and veteran actor Paul Gross have been cast in season 2 of the Crave series Heated Rivalry, the streaming series’ producers announced. The additions expand a roster already stacked with established and rising performers as the show gears up for a U.S. debut on HBO Max in spring 2027.
New arrivals and their roles
Zegers will portray Coach Brandon Wiebe, the rookie bench boss for Ilya Rozanov’s newly formed Ottawa hockey club. Jovovich is set to play Dr. Galina Molchalina, the Russian therapist to Ilya. Gross takes on the role of Commissioner Roger Crowell, the head of the league that shapes much of the series’ professional stakes.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Kevin Zegers | Coach Brandon Wiebe |
| Milla Jovovich | Dr. Galina Molchalina |
| Paul Gross | Commissioner Roger Crowell |
Continuing storylines and cast
Season 2 continues to center on the long-running love affair between rivals Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, played again by Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. The series, created by Jacob Tierney and adapted from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, blends sports drama with romantic storytelling and has expanded its ensemble with both returning and newly announced performers.
- Returning players include François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. as Scott Hunter and Kip Grady, respectively.
- Sophie Nélisse returns as Rose Landry; Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova returns as Svetlana Vetrova.
- Previously disclosed season 2 additions: Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, Daniel Diemer, Shaheen Jafargholi and Edvin Ryding.
What this means for the series
The recruitment of Zegers, Jovovich and Gross suggests creators are broadening the show’s dramatic range, bringing experienced performers into roles that intersect the personal and institutional pressures of professional hockey. The inclusion of a therapist and a league commissioner signals an emphasis on both internal character work and the external governance that shapes sports narratives.
Season 2’s scheduled release on HBO Max in the United States in spring 2027 places the series in a competitive streaming window, where star-driven ensemble casts and serialized romance are central to subscriber engagement. As production advances, further casting and creative details will likely emerge, shaping expectations for how the adaptation continues to balance romance, sport and workplace drama.
