{"id":256468,"date":"2026-08-09T06:47:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T06:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/09\/justice-smith-breaks-silence-on-heated-rivalry-casting-says-he-is-honored-beyond-excited\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T06:47:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T06:47:01","slug":"justice-smith-breaks-silence-on-heated-rivalry-casting-says-he-is-honored-beyond-excited","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/09\/justice-smith-breaks-silence-on-heated-rivalry-casting-says-he-is-honored-beyond-excited\/","title":{"rendered":"Justice Smith Breaks Silence on \u2018Heated Rivalry\u2019 Casting, Says He Is \u2018Honored\u2019 & \u2018Beyond Excited\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Justice Smith<\/strong><\/a> is speaking out after it was announced he will star in Heated Rivalry<\/strong><\/a><\/em> season two!<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old Now You See Me: Now You Don’t <\/em>star has been cast<\/a> as Ottawa Centaurs social media manager Harris Drover, alongside Charlie Gillespie<\/strong><\/a> as Troy Barrett, who are the central couple of Rachel Reid<\/strong>‘s book “Role Model.”<\/p>\n

On Saturday night (August 8), Justice<\/strong> took to his Instagram<\/a> story to react to the love and support he’s received since the news was announced the day before. <\/p>\n

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“i have to say i am moved by the support and love i’m getting from fans in my dms, fans who have welcomed me with open arms and who already feel a responsibility to protect me.<\/p>\n

i am honored to play a character you all care about deeply and i promise i will take good care of him if you give me the chance.<\/p>\n

i am beyond excited for this experience”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He also included an apple tree at the bottom of his post, which you can see in the screenshot below. If you’re unaware, Harris’ family lives on an apple orchard and he grew up selling apples with his family. He later brings Troy to the orchard.<\/p>\n

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Following Justice<\/strong>‘s casting announcement, many fans were upset that he did not fit the book’s description of Harris, who is said to be stocky and rugged with red hair. <\/p>\n

Author Rachel Reid<\/strong> seemingly responded to the backlash in her own Instagram story post. See what she said!<\/a><\/p>\n

As they announced that\u00a0Justice\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Charlie<\/strong> would be playing Harris and Troy,\u00a0series creator Jacob Tierney<\/strong>\u00a0and exec producer\u00a0Brendan Brady<\/strong>\u00a0shared a statement about their casting process.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom 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.\u00a0Justice<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Charlie<\/strong>\u00a0do exactly that,\u201d the two TV execs said. \u201cThey immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Filming on Heated Rivalry<\/em> season two is said to begin next week, and it’s set to premiere in Spring 2027.<\/p>\n

The post Justice Smith Breaks Silence on ‘Heated Rivalry’ Casting, Says He Is ‘Honored’ & ‘Beyond Excited’<\/a> appeared first on Just Jared – Celebrity News and Gossip | Entertainment<\/a>.<\/p>\n