Justice Smith will play Role Model character Harris Drover (Image: Harlequin Enterprises Limited | Getty Images)

Justice Smith has addressed online discourse around his casting as Harris Drover in Heated Rivalry season two, telling fans on his Instagram Story that he is “honoured” and promising: “I will take good care of him if you give me the chance.”

Smith and Charlie Gillespie were recently announced as playing Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, respectively, in season two of the series based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers books.

In his message to fans, Smith wrote: “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.” He added: “I am beyond excited for the experience.”

Negative comments online were directed at Smith’s casting following the announcement, with some fans suggesting Harris should have been cast differently. In the books, he is more cuddly, rather than ripped like the hockey players he works with.

Season two is set to draw on Role Model, the fifth book in Reid’s bestselling Game Changer series, alongside the focal story of The Long Game. In Role Model, Harris Drover and Troy Barrett are the central couple.

Troy is a closeted hockey player who is traded to Ilya’s team the Ottawa Centaurs, mainly known for being the friend of controversial player Dallas Kent, while Harris is the team’s loveable social media manager.

Series creator Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady said: “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,” adding: “Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”

Rachel Reid also referenced earlier casting doubts on her Instagram Story, writing: “Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for llya and Shane was wrong and bad…”

Smith is known for roles in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Detective Pikachu, and HBO’s Generation, and has been open about being queer.

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