'Heated Rivalry' Season 2 Adds Diemer & Jafargholi

Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi have been cast in "Heated Rivalry" Season 2, taking on the roles of Ryan Price and Fabian Salah, respectively. These characters are central to the novel "Tough Guy," the third book in Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" series, which features Ryan as a Canadian NHL player struggling with anxiety and Fabian as a Lebanese Canadian musician.

While Season 2 of the series adapts the sixth book, "The Long Game," the inclusion of Ryan and Fabian signals a significant storyline. Diemer is known for his roles in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" and the Netflix film "The Half of It," while Jafargholi has appeared in Paramount+'s "The Agency" and the upcoming "War."

The pair join an already announced ensemble including Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, and Edvin Ryding, alongside returning cast members Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. "Heated Rivalry" Season 2 is slated for a spring 2027 premiere.

Executive producers Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady expressed enthusiasm for Diemer and Jafargholi's casting, highlighting their ability to embody the bold and complicated nature of Fabian and Ryan. They anticipate the actors will bring unique confidence and emotional honesty to their performances.