Shaheen Jafargholi felt safe joining Heated Rivalry S2
Shaheen Jafargholi says Heated Rivalry season 2 castmates and crew immediately made him feel “safe,” calling the Toronto set small, intimate, and a joy from start to finish. The Fabian Salah newcomer shared the exclusive remarks while promoting War, as the Crave adaptation of Rachel Reid’s books eyes a spring 2027 return. He spoke to People and Swooon at the New York premiere of his HBO legal drama War.
Key Takeaways
- Jafargholi told People the Heated Rivalry season 2 set felt “small,” “intimate,” and “safe.”
- He called filming “a joy from start to finish” and praised the team’s care for fans.
- He plays Fabian Salah opposite Daniel Diemer’s Ryan Price, from Rachel Reid’s Tough Guy.
- Heated Rivalry is filming in Toronto and is expected to premiere in spring 2027.
- At the War premiere, he said he is “super, super honored” to join the Crave hit.
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What did Shaheen Jafargholi say about feeling safe on set?
In a People exclusive, the 29-year-old actor described stepping onto the hit queer sports romance as unexpectedly grounded. “I just couldn’t believe how small and intimate and, sort of, safe the whole experience has felt,” he said.
“It’s been a joy from start to finish,” Jafargholi added, pointing to a crew and cast that “care so much about making it the best show it could possibly be for the fans.” The welcome mattered because he was already a fan of Heated Rivalry before booking Fabian—and had “no expectation” of landing the part.
Who is Shaheen Jafargholi playing in Heated Rivalry season 2?
Jafargholi is cast as Fabian Salah, the romantic interest at the center of Tough Guy, the third novel in Reid’s Game Changers series. He will share the arc with Daniel Diemer, who plays his on-screen love interest, Ryan Price.
Talking to Swooon at the War premiere, he said he is “super, super honored” to join the series. Asked what excites him most about bringing Ryan and Fabian’s romance to life, he answered that it is less one beat than “the fact that the story is being told, period.”
“They’re both obviously super integral characters to the story and Shane and Ilya’s story,” he added. “So to get to kind of step into that world and be a part of it in any capacity is a dream.”
When does Heated Rivalry season 2 premiere?
According to Just Jared’s report from the premiere circuit, Heated Rivalry is currently filming in Toronto and is expected to premiere in spring 2027. The Crave adaptation of Reid’s books continues to expand its world beyond Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as season 2 production rolls on.
Jafargholi’s comments come as he also promotes War, in which he plays Saeed Masood. That series is set to premiere Oct. 1, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max in the U.S., with a U.K. bow the following day on Sky and NOW.