‘Heated Rivalry’ Faces Backlash After Casting Justice Smith for Season 2

Justice Smith’s casting in the second season of Heated Rivalry has sparked mixed reactions among fans of the series. Justice Smith’s Heated Rivalry Casting Sparks Fan Backlash

Gayes! Actor Justice Smith is set to join the Heated Rivalry universe, and while Smith has expressed excitement about joining the beloved franchise, his casting has sparked mixed reactions.

Last week, Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney revealed that Smith and Charlie Gillespie had been cast as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively, in the hit Canadian drama based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers book series. The pair’s casting announcement immediately sent fans into a frenzy. Smith and Gillespie will join leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in the second season.

Hundreds of fans took to a popular subreddit dedicated to the series to weigh in on the casting announcement, with reactions ranging from enthusiasm to skepticism.

One commentator wrote, “I think Justice is an amazing actor. I’m not mad that they chose an actor of color, especially because they’re also openly queer. I’m just bummed that we’re not getting someone closer to book-accurate Harris. However, I will trust the process and the casting choices…”

This user is definitely on to something; Justice is a far cry, appearance-wise, from how his character, Harris Drover, is described in the books. In the books, he’s described as having green eyes and a rugged, stocky build. Drover’s plus-size identity has made him a beloved character among fans, offering much-needed representation for bigger gay men.

Another user, who identifies as chubby, wrote that the Harris casting left them “sad and discouraged,” questioning why it’s “such a taboo to portray a desirable chubby person” and saying they now feel “foolish” for getting their hopes up.

While a plethora of comments focused on Smith’s weight or perceived lack thereof, others were quick to praise his casting.

One commenter wrote, “I might be in the minority, but I am beyond happy with Justice. He’s like my favourite person in the world, and he is SO nice. I talked to him in NYC last year for ages, and he’s literally the sweetest.”

Another wrote, “Justice is a fantastic actor! I’ve been following his career since I saw him in The Get Down years ago.” They continued applauding the decision to cast an openly gay actor as an openly gay character, saying they felt Justice would “bring the energy to it,” while urging those who didn’t “see ~ the vision ~” to watch his 2021 HBO Max series Genera+ion.

While some in the Heated Rivalry fandom may be at odds over the inclusion of Smith, many of the show’s creative forces have expressed support for his casting.

“From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen,” Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney and fellow executive producer Brendan Brady said Friday, reflecting on the search for actors to play Harris and Troy. “Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”

Reid, who authored the six books on which the series is based, responded to fans’ backlash with a selfie posted to her Instagram account captioned, “Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…”

In response to the backlash over his casting, Smith took to his Instagram Story, writing, “I am moved by the support and love I’m getting from fans in my DMs, fans who have welcomed me with open arms and who already feel a responsibility to protect me.”

Casting controversy aside, Smith is a consummate talent with a diverse résumé that spans film, television and theater. His standout credits include Paper Towns (2015), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019), Jurassic World Dominion (2022) and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023).

In 2024, Smith earned widespread praise for his performance in the psychological horror drama I Saw the TV Glow, receiving nominations from the Gotham Awards, the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards, the Astra Midseason Movie Awards, and the Dorian Awards. He was also named a Breakthrough Award honoree at Variety and the Golden Globes’ Breakthrough Artist Awards.

Filming for Heated Rivalry season 2 is set to begin this month, with the new season slated to premiere on Crave in spring 2027. HBO Max has also confirmed it will continue to carry the series.