The hockey world was abuzz with excitement when Canadian actor Jack Innanen publicly campaigned for a role in Heated Rivalry season 2. However, fans were left disappointed as the 26-year-old star had to turn down the opportunity due to a conflicting production schedule.
Innanen, known for his roles in FX‘s Adults and Netflix‘s Big Mistakeshad expressed his eagerness to join the cast of the popular gay hockey drama. His enthusiasm was met with widespread support from fans who dream-cast him as either Troy Barrett or Wyatt Hayestwo beloved characters from Rachel Reid‘s Game Changers book series.
Innanen’s Public Campaign for Heated Rivalry
The actor had been quite vocal about his interest in the project. In an April interview with Entertainment TonightInnanen revealed that he had already engaged in discussions about potentially joining the show. He even went so far as to practice his hockey skills, stating, “I’d be the perfect [fit] because I am down for anything, and I played hockey!”
Innanen’s excitement was palpable as he shared his preparations on social media. The actor, who has become known for his queer roles, celebrated an on-screen kiss in Adults with a TikTok post that read, “Hell yeah, you did, brother. That’s right, I kiss a man in the new show I’m in.”
The Scheduling Conflict That Changed Everything
Despite his enthusiasm and the support of fans, Innanen was ultimately unable to accept the role due to a scheduling conflict. According to a source close to the production, as reported by Entertainment Weeklythe actor was offered a starring role but could not commit due to overlapping production timelines.
The likely culprit is Big Mistakesthe Netflix series in which Innanen stars as Max. The show was renewed for a second season, and both Big Mistakes and Heated Rivalry are set to begin filming this summer. With such a tight schedule, Innanen had no choice but to prioritize his existing commitments.
What’s Next for Heated Rivalry and Innanen
While Innanen’s absence from Heated Rivalry season 2 is undoubtedly a letdown for fans, the show is still set to welcome new faces. Showrunner Jacob Tierney confirmed at BookCon in April that Troy Barrett will be joining the cast in the upcoming season, which adapts Reid’s 2026 novel The Long Game.
The new season of Heated Rivalry is expected to land in spring on HBO Maxwhile Adults season 2 is slated to hit FX and Hulu from 27 August. Although Innanen won’t be lacing up the skates for this particular project, he shows no signs of slowing down.
In other news, François Arnaudwho plays Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalryhinted at the possibility of a spin-off centered around his character. Speaking on Andy Cohen LiveArnaud mentioned that there were conversations about a potential side project focusing on Scott, who buys a sports bar in the books.
As for Innanen, he continues to make waves in the entertainment industry. With his charisma and talent, it’s only a matter of time before he finds his next big role. Fans can look forward to seeing him return as Max in Big Mistakes season 2, which is sure to be another hit.
