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Jack Innanen has confirmed he’s had conversations with Heated Rivalry showrunner Jacob Tierney about joining season 2. The Canadian actor teased the possibility during an Entertainment Tonight interview on April 8, 2026. Innanen says he’s been in talks but kept his lips sealed when asked if he’s officially booked.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Confirmed Talks: Innanen revealed “I’ve had some conversations. We’ve chatted” when asked about season 2 involvement.
- Potential Roles: Fans dream-cast him as either Troy Barrett or Wyatt Hayes, both major characters in Rachel Reid’s source material.
- Production Timeline: Filming begins August 2026, with an April 2027 premiere targeted.
- Actor Background: The 26-year-old Canadian created viral TikTok content with 3+ million followers before joining FX’s Adults.
Fan Casting Finally Getting Real Attention
Jack Innanen emerged as the internet’s top choice for Heated Rivalry season 2 months before his official comments. Entertainment Tonight theorized he could play Troy Barrett, a forward on the Ottawa Centaurs featured in Rachel Reid’s Role Model novel. Alternatively, he could be Wyatt Hayes, the team’s goaltender. Fans flooded social media posts with their casting wishes. Showrunner Jacob Tierney even started following Innanen on Instagram, sparking major speculation.
Innanen acknowledged the fan campaign online and posted a direct appeal to Tierney, saying, “I’m available for that second season, just putting that out there.” His genuine enthusiasm caught the showrunner’s attention. The actor repeatedly mentioned he’s willing to do anything for the role.
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Why Jack Innanen Makes Perfect Sense
The Adults star has legitimate on-ice experience that the production values. Innanen told Entertainment Tonight he’s “down for anything” and mentioned his actual hockey background. He’s been working on stick handling skills and practicing with mini sticks. His hip mobility work shows serious commitment to the physical demands of portraying a hockey player convincingly.
Innanen is also Canadian, which matters for tax credits and financing. Heated Rivalry benefits from primarily Canadian talent to maintain its status as a Canadian production. The combination of his hockey credentials, strong acting ability, and nationality puts him at the top of realistic candidates for season 2’s new characters.
What Fans Know About Season 2 Casting
The show needs significant new characters for its story expansion. Rachel Reid‘s books provided a rich source of supporting players. Troy Barrett is the central character in Role Model, making him essential to season 2. Showrunner Tierney stated last month, “Just like you can’t tell the story without Scott Hunter, you can’t really tell the story without Troy Barrett.”
| Character Detail | Information |
| Troy Barrett Role | Forward, Ottawa Centaurs; main character in Role Model |
| Wyatt Hayes Role | Starting goaltender, vocal ally to queer players |
| Filming Start Date | August 2026 |
| Targeted Release | April 2027 on Crave |
“I think I’m perfect for the show because I am down for anything. And I played hockey. I’ve been working on my hip mobility.”
— Jack Innanen, Actor
From TikTok Star to Prestige Television
Jack Innanen has built a legitimate entertainment career beyond his viral content success. He joined FX’s Adults as Paul Baker, a major role in the twenty-something ensemble comedy that premiered in 2025. He also appears in Dan Levy‘s Netflix feature Big Mistakes, which dropped in spring 2026. His trajectory shows he’s more than a TikTok personality now.
The Canadian actor has demonstrated serious acting range and work ethic. Heated Rivalry fans see him as both talented and genuinely interested in the material. His physical preparation for potential hockey scenes shows professional dedication. Industry observers note his ability to balance comedy timing required for charismatic TV presence with dramatic depth.
What’s Next as Conversations Continue?
Innanen remained coy when asked if he’s officially confirmed for the role. He zipped his lips and responded, “Who knows?” to Entertainment Tonight‘s direct question about booking. The HBO Max distribution and Crave streaming platform haven’t announced official casting yet. Jacob Tierney hasn’t publicly confirmed Innanen‘s involvement in season 2.
However, the timing and signals suggest negotiations could accelerate soon. With filming starting in two months and Innanen‘s schedule appearing flexible, an official announcement could come within weeks. Fans remain cautiously optimistic that the actor they’ve championed online will join the beloved hockey romance series.
