David Farnor | On 11, Dec 2025

Rivals will officially be back on our screens next year, and new images give us a first proper look at Season 2.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. Alex Hassell (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”, “The Boys”) stars as Rupert Campbell-Black, who clashes with David Tennant (“Doctor Who”, “The Thursday Murder Club”) as Lord Tony Baddingham, the head of the TV network Corinum – alongside Aidan Turner (“Poldark”, “The Suspect”) as star TV journalist Declan O’Hara. The ensemble also includes Danny Dyer (“EastEnders”, “The Football Factory”), Katherine Parkinson (“Humans”, “Here We Go”), Nafessa Williams (“Black Lighting”, “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody”), Emily Atack (“The Emily Atack Show”, “The Inbetweeners”) and Victoria Smurfit (“Bloodlands”, “Once Upon A Time”).

“A charismatic cast and playful source material make this 80s satire a delightfully naughty romp,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Season 2 promises more wit, desire, and jaw-dropping twists, as power struggles intensify, rivalries deepen and ambition pushes loyalties to the brink. Following Season 1’s dramatic cliffhanger, Lord Baddingham is back and out for vengeance ready to stop at nothing to keep Corinium’s empire unrivalled. 

The new images give us a glimpse at the return of Tennant, Hassell, Turner and Williams, along with Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara.

Watch this space for a confirmed release date.

 

Rivals renewed for Season 2

>4th December 2024

Rivals will return for a second season.

The saucy drama, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, launched this October and promptly wooed viewers with its wit, romantic entanglements and, ahem, romantic entanglements.

Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. Alex Hassell (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”, “The Boys”) stars as Rupert Campbell-Black, who clashes with David Tennant (“Doctor Who”, “The Thursday Murder Club”) as Lord Tony Baddingham, the head of the TV network Corinum – alongside Aidan Turner (“Poldark”, “The Suspect”) as star TV journalist Declan O’Hara. The ensemble also includes Danny Dyer (“EastEnders”, “The Football Factory”), Katherine Parkinson (“Humans”, “Here We Go”), Nafessa Williams (“Black Lighting”, “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody”), Emily Atack (“The Emily Atack Show”, “The Inbetweeners”) and Victoria Smurfit (“Bloodlands”, “Once Upon A Time”).

Following the dramatic events of Season 1, Disney+ and Happy Prince (part of ITV Studios) have officially renewed the show for a second run.

Dame Jilly Cooper, Executive Producer and Rivals author, commented: “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. 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!”

Lee Mason, Executive Director of Scripted Originals, EMEA Disney+, added: “It’s been phenomenal seeing the reaction to Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals – this autumn’s most talked about series. 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!’

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Chief Creative Officer of Happy Prince and Alexander Lamb, Creative Director of Happy Prince said: “It’s been magical to receive the love back from viewers that we put into Rivals. The Rivals team set out to create people’s favourite television show, something enduring that our audience would take to their hearts and watch and rewatch. We’re delighted that we’re returning to Rutshire with Jilly and Disney+. It’s a special place to be.”

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 Disney+ EMEA Scripted Content, Jonny Richards.

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