Creator Jacob Tierney says Heated Rivalry Season 2 returns late spring

Tierney told CBS Mornings the new HBO Max season will expand the series' universe and draw from the sixth book of Rachel Reid's Game Changers series.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:17:05 GMT

Jacob Tierney, creator of HBO Max’s “Heated Rivalry,” said on CBS Mornings that Season 2 will premiere in late spring.

What happened

During the interview Tierney confirmed the upcoming season will center on the relationship between characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. He noted the storyline will build on the sixth installment of Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” hockey romance series, titled “The Long Game.” Tierney added the season will explore how the pair’s “quiet happiness” from the first season evolves in their lives.

What the reports add

The CBS News article emphasized that Season 2 will introduce new couples and additional characters that intersect with Shane and Ilya, creating a “much more expanded universe.”
Tierney said the second season will be “a bigger show” and will track the protagonists’ relationship beyond the first‑season ending.
He also discussed using intimacy as a storytelling tool, stressing that sexual scenes are meant to reveal character rather than be gratuitous.
Tierney mentioned his new book, I’ll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1, which includes details about the series’ music choices, such as centering episode five around Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything.”

What was said

“I don’t have an official date yet. I’m not hiding anything,” Tierney told CBS Mornings.

“My north star in this show, because there are a lot of books in this series, is I’m focusing on Shane and Ilya and we are tracking this relationship. There are new couples and characters that intersect with them. It’s a much more expanded universe. It’s a bigger show in that way,” he said.

“I wanted to make sure that the sex was telling a story, that we’re learning things about these characters through the way that they relate to each other sexually,” Tierney explained.

“I think the music you fall in love with when you are young is music that means so much to you,” Tierney added, referencing his choice of Wolf Parade for episode five.

How it came about

Tierney’s first season, based on earlier books in Reid’s series, garnered a strong fan following on HBO Max. The decision to adapt “The Long Game” for Season 2 reflects the show’s move toward a broader narrative, as noted in Tierney’s interview. He also highlighted his upcoming book, which offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the creation of the series.

Key facts

Season 2 of Heated Rivalry will debut in late spring. (cbsnews.com)
The new season will focus on Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov's relationship. (cbsnews.com)
It will be largely based on "The Long Game," the sixth book of Rachel Reid's Game Changers series. (cbsnews.com)
Jacob Tierney said no official release date has been set yet. (cbsnews.com)
Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie reprise their roles as Shane and Ilya. (cbsnews.com)