Justice Smith breaks silence on 'Heated Rivalry' casting: 'Beyond excited'

Production of 'Heated Rivalry' season 2 is expected to begin next week and is scheduled to premiere in spring 2027

Justice Smith is speaking out after being cast as Harris Drover in Heated Rivalry season 2, saying he is "honored" to take on a character who means so much to fans.

The 30-year-old actor addressed the casting news on his Instagram Story on August 8, thanking fans for the support he has received since the announcement. Smith said he was "moved" by the messages from fans who had already welcomed him to the series and expressed that they felt a responsibility to protect him.

"I am honored to play a character you all care about deeply," Smith wrote, promising that he would "take good care of him" if fans gave him the chance. He ended the message by saying he was "beyond excited" for the experience.

Photo: Instagram @standup4justice

Smith also included an image of an apple tree with his message, a detail that appears to reference Harris' family background in Rachel Reid's Game Changers universe. Harris' family runs an apple orchard, and he eventually brings Troy Barrett there.

Smith will star opposite Charlie Gillespie, who has been cast as Troy Barrett. The pair's characters are the central couple in Reid's novel Role Model, which is being incorporated into the second season alongside the continuing story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.

The casting announcement has also sparked discussion among book fans, with some questioning Smith's physical resemblance to Harris as he is described in the novel. Harris is described as stocky and rugged with red hair, leading to a wave of debate online.

Series creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady have defended the casting, saying Smith and Gillespie connected with the "vulnerability and resilience" at the heart of their characters and demonstrated a strong connection during the casting process.

Production on season 2 is expected to begin next week, with the new season scheduled to premiere in spring 2027.