Justice Smith Promises to “Take Good Care” of Harris in Heated Rivalry Season 2

Following news of his casting in the upcoming second season of the hit Canadian television series Heated Rivalry, out actor Justice Smith sent a message of thanks to the fans who have welcomed him into the franchise. “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,” the actor said in an Instagram story post over the weekend, per The Hollywood Reporter.Smith, who has previously starred in films such as I Saw the TV Glow and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, has been tapped to play Harris, the Ottawa Centaurs’ social media manager, who is described in the book as “a little pudgy.”. Smith’s casting led to minor backlash among some fans based on his body type. Some viral social media posts over the weekend poked fun at the fact that, while Smith’s casting did bring added diversity to the cast, it did potentially not match up to how many fans envisioned the character. “they cast a twink as Harris for Heated Rivalry season 2…” one person wrote, alongside a meme of Lady Gaga holding a bear pride flag. “They gave me black Harris but made him skinny,” another person wrote. “why do y’all hate chubby men.” “Happy for Justice but mourning MY harris,” wrote another person, who posted a picture of actor Larry Owens. Smith seemed to be allaying some of these potential fears about his casting in his Instagram Story post.“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,” he said. “I am beyond excited for this experience.”Also Coming to Smith’s defense was none other than Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid, who compared this reception to the one Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie previously received. “Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…” she wrote on Insta