Jack Innanen reveals he’s ‘had some conversations’ with Heated Rivalry team for season 2
“I’d be the perfect [fit] because I am down for anything – and I played hockey!” he said
By Callum Wells
Jack Innanen has revealed he’s “had some conversations” with the team behind Heated Rivalry, as speculation builds around casting for season two.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the actor said he believes he’d slot naturally into the series, citing both his acting work and hockey background. “I’d be the perfect [fit] because I am down for anything – and I played hockey!” he said.
“I got some mini sticks, I’ve been practicing, I’ve been working on my stick handling,” Innanen added. “I’ve been working on my hip mobility.”
“I’ve had some conversations. Who knows?” – Jack Innanen on being cast in Heated Rivalry season 2
When asked whether he has spoken to showrunner Jacob Tierney or the show’s leads Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, Innanen confirmed: “I’ve had some conversations.” Pressed on whether that meant he had secured a role, he declined to elaborate, instead miming zipping his lips before saying: “Who knows?”
Heated Rivalry, which debuted in 2025 on Crave in Canada and Sky in the UK, follows professional ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as a long-running rivalry develops into a secret relationship. The series is based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, with a second season expected to draw from follow-up book, The Long Game.
After the renewal was confirmed, fans began suggesting Innanen for roles introduced later in the book series, most notably Wyatt Hayes and Troy Barrett. Hayes is written as a teammate and close friend of Ilya, while Barrett leads a separate storyline within the same universe.
In an Instagram Story, Innanen previously said: “Folks, I have seen the stuff on Twitter. ‘Oh, Wyatt Hayes! Troy Barrett! Oh!’ Jacob Tiernay, I’m available for that second season. Just puttin’ that out there.
“I’m from Southern Ontario, I played Single-A, center and left wing. Preferred centre though. 2019 intramural champions. I know my way around a puck, let’s just say that brother. Let’s make magic.”
Innanen is best known for his role in FX’s Adults
He later joked about the speculation, saying: “The rumours are true… I’m in the second season of Heated Rivalry!”: “[My character is] not romantically involved with either of the two main characters, but it’s more following me dangling the f**k out of them.
“Then the second episode, I hip check the Russian guy, [he] lands on his neck [and he’s] paralysed. He’s out for the whole shit. The third episode, I scrap the Canadian dude, knock him out cold [and he gets a] concussion. He’s out for the whole season.”
Innanen added: “So then, from the third episode on, it pretty much just follows me.”
He is best known for playing Paul Baker in Adults, a comedy about a group of friends in Queens, New York, which has been renewed for a second season. He is set to star alongside Dan Levy in Netflix’s upcoming series Big Mistakes, due to premiere on 9 April.