'Heated Rivalry' Author Rachel Reid Seemingly Responds to Backlash Over Harris & Troy Casting | Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip
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Rachel Reid is defending the new Heated Rivalry actors.
On Friday (August 7), it was announced that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have been cast to play Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively, in the second season of the hit Crave and HBO Max series.
However, as soon as the news was announced, many fans took with issue with the casting choices, particularly with Justice, 30, playing Harris since in the Role Model book, the character is described as having red hair with a stocky build.
As many debated creator Jacob Tierney‘s casting decisions, Rachel – who wrote the Game Changers book series – took to her Instagram Story to seemingly address the criticism.
“Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad….” Rachel wrote.
As they announced that Justice and Charlie, 27, would be playing Harris and Troy, Jacob and exec producer Brendan Brady shared a statement about their casting process.
“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. Justice and Charlie do exactly that,” the two TV execs said. “They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”
Season two of Heated Rivalry is confirmed to air in spring 2027. Based on the book series, find out which actors from season one are expected to return for the new season!
Posted To:Charlie Gillespie Heated Rivalry Justice Smith Rachel Reid
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