Disney+ has renewed its adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s ‘Rivals’ for Season 2, which is good news given we were left with THAT cliffhanger!
Based on Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles, the iconic literary series packed full of wit, romantic entanglements, sex and unforgettable characters, the series is set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, as it delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986.
“Nearly 40 years after my novel Rivals was published, I’ve adored seeing the world fall in love with my beloved characters – Rutshire’s finest,” commented Cooper. “And it has been a fairytale come true working with Happy Prince and Disney+ on the first season. I’m orgasmic with excitement and cannot wait for the return of my superhero Rupert Campbell-Black and the rest of the characters in season two.”
Season one starred Alex Hassell (‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’, ‘The Boys’) as dashing ex-Olympian, Tory Member of Parliament and incorrigible rake, the dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black; David Tennant (‘Doctor Who’, ‘Good Omens’) as Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical Rutshire neighbour Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television; Aidan Turner (‘Poldark’, ‘The Suspect’) as TV presenter Declan O’Hara; Bella Maclean (‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Sex Education’) as Declan’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed elder daughter, Taggie; And Nafessa Williams (‘Black Lighting’, ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’) as ferociously talented American TV executive Cameron Cook.
The series also starred Katherine Parkinson (‘Humans’, ‘Here We Go’), Danny Dyer (‘EastEnders, ‘The Football Factory’), Lisa McGrillis (‘Maternal’, ‘Mum’), Victoria Smurfit (‘Bloodlands’, ‘Once Upon A Time’), Claire Rushbrook (‘Sherwood’, ‘Ali and Ava’), Luke Pasqualino (‘Skins’, ‘Shantaram’), Emily Atack (‘The Emily Atack Show, ‘The Inbetweeners’), Rufus Jones (‘W1A’, ‘Home’), Catriona Chandler (‘Pistol’, ‘Enola Holmes 2’), and Oliver Chris (‘The Crown’, ‘Trying’).
“It’s been phenomenal seeing the reaction to Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals – this autumn’s most talked about series,” said Lee Mason, Executive Director of Scripted Originals, EMEA Disney+. “We’re thrilled that existing fans of the novels, alongside those new to the Cooperverse, have taken the series to their hearts. I can’t wait to get back to Rutshire and see what exciting drama the Happy Prince team have in store for season two – bring on more romance, betrayal, and shoulder pads!’”
We don’t yet know exactly who will be back for season two, but it is expected most of the key cast will return. The drama is produced by Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios. ‘Rivals’ is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (“A Very English Scandal”, “Holding”, “EastEnders”), Alexander Lamb (“Ackley Bridge”, “The Bay”, “We Hunt Together”), Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty (“Cheaters”, “Ted Lasso”), Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (“The Riot Club”), ‘Rivals’ author Dame Jilly Cooper and for Disney+ EMEA Scripted Content byJonny Richards.
‘Rivals’ Season 2 does not yet have a premiere date but will air on Hulu in the USA and on Disney+ in the rest of the world. If you want to keep track of this or any of the shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when the next season gets a UK premiere date.
