Kevin Zegers restricts Instagram comments amid backlash over his Heated Rivalry Season 2 casting. Fans demand recasting for Coach Wiebe.
Actor Kevin Zegers (Gossip Girl, Transamerica) has turned off and restricted comments on his Instagram account following intense fan backlash over his recent casting in Heated Rivalry Season 2. Announced by Canadian streamer Crave and production partners on September 4, 2026, Zegers joined the hit queer hockey romance series to play Coach Brandon Wiebe, the rookie coach of Ottawa's professional team.
The casting decision triggered immediate criticism across social media due to Zegers' past posts supporting Israel and Zionist viewpoints. The hit television series, which returns in Spring 2027 on Max and Crave, is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment.
Why Are Heated Rivalry Fans Demanding Kevin Zegers Be Recast?
The backlash escalated rapidly within hours of the official press announcement, leading to organized fan campaigns and calls for creator Jacob Tierney and Crave producers to remove Zegers from the show.
- Social Media Backlash: Users flooded Zegers' recent posts, including a photo celebrating his daughter's birthday, with "Free Palestine" messages and the hashtag #notmycoachwiebe.
- Change.org Petition: An online campaign titled "Remove Kevin Zegers from 'Heated Rivalry' season 2" demands an immediate recast. The petition argues that Zegers' online activity conflicts with the show's core themes of LGBTQ+ acceptance and support for marginalized communities.
- Cast Dynamics: Fans highlighted potential friction between Zegers and returning cast members who have publicly expressed support for Palestinian human rights since late 2023.
What Is the Status of Heated Rivalry Season 2 Production?
Despite the online movement and social media restriction, neither Crave, HBO Max, nor the production team have announced any changes to the cast list.
- Zegers Remains Attached: Zegers has not issued a public statement, and he officially remains attached to portray Coach Wiebe.
- Star-Studded Cast Additions: Season 2 adapts Rachel Reid's popular novels The Long Game and Role Model, bringing back leads Hudson Williams (Shane Hollander) and Connor Storrie (Ilya Rozanov). New additions alongside Zegers include sci-fi icon Milla Jovovich as Dr. Galina Molchalina and Paul Gross as Commissioner Roger Crowell.
- Ongoing Fandom Friction: The controversy follows previous public statements from stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud addressing bad behavior and toxicity within parts of the show's rapidly growing fan community.