Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney confirmed on CBS Mornings (Feb. 26) that production on Season 2 will begin in August, with the six-episode follow-up slated to premiere in April 2027.

Tierney said writers are currently working on scripts and that the creative team is "getting ready to start shooting this summer," promising fans "more Heated Rivalry on your TVs, like, truly, as soon as humanly possible."

Season 2 will adapt Rachel Reid’s The Long Game – the sixth novel in her Game Changers series and continues the central romance between NHL players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) after their emotional confession at the end of Season 1.

“There will be more ‘Heated Rivalry’ truly as soon as humanly possible”: Jacob Tierney, the creator, executive producer, director and writer of the TV series “Heated Rivalry,” says the romance between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov captured the hearts of fans because of their… pic.twitter.com/XSLTXPCBbn

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) February 26, 2026

Tierney emphasized his desire to remain "fairly faithful" to the source material, thanking Crave and production partners for trusting both his vision and the audience that already loves the books.

Tierney also reflected on the show’s unexpected breakout success after HBO acquired the series one week before its premiere, saying the rapid popularity caught him off guard and that he had not yet planned a second season when Season 1 debuted.

Executive producer Brendan Brady, urged viewers to savor the anticipation rather than demand extra episodes, teasing that fans should "enjoy the yearn" and reiterating that Season 2 will keep the tight six-episode structure. 

Why six episodes? Tierney told the Los Angeles Times earlier this month that he prefers compressing story into fewer episodes rather than expanding a season unnecessarily, "I would always rather tighten the belt than get loosey-goosey. I would rather be like, 'Let's see how much story we can pack into these episodes.'" 

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Fan reaction has been immediate and fervent across social platforms. Within hours of the CBS Mornings announcement, fans took to X, TikTok, Instagram and Reddit to share countdown posts, fan art, and speculation about plotlines and character arcs. Superfans pledged rewatch marathons of Season 1, created spoiler-free discussion threads devoted to The Long Game’s adaptation, and playfully warned each other to stockpile tissues and ginger ale. 

The Long Game centers on the aftermath of Shane and Ilya’s confession, focusing on the practical and emotional fallout of keeping their relationship secret from teammates, family members and the public. For fans of the books and newcomers alike, Season 2 aims to deepen the couple’s journey while preserving the tone that made Season 1 a surprise hit. Will you be watching? Let us know your Fan of View below or by sending us a message on social media @fandomdaily_. 

Photo Credit: Parker Burr/Vanity Fair