Okay, I admit it: I was initially a Rivals sceptic. Everything I’d heard about Dominic Treadwell-Collins’ Disney+ show, set in the picturesque but also very randy Cotswolds in the glossy, tacky, incredibly problematic ’80s, felt like it was decidedly not for me. But, I was wrong. This adaptation of the dearly departed Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved novel of the same name, part of the bestselling Rutshire Chronicles, is a romp of the highest order – one hell of a ride and easily one of the most entertaining TV shows to come out of 2024.
So, thank heavens it’s returning soon with (what I hope will be) an equally juicy second instalment. The streamer has now released the first official stills from season two, and confirmed that it’ll hit screens in 2026.
The log line reads: “Set in the stunning Cotswolds countryside and against the backdrop of the glamorous, high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the second instalment reunites the all-star cast who captivated fans and critics, while introducing some exciting new faces. Following last season’s dramatic cliffhanger with Tony’s fate hanging in the balance, Lord Baddingham is back and out for vengeance ready to stop at nothing to keep Corinium’s empire unrivalled. Careers, marriages and reputations hang in the balance as personal and professional lives collide in a world where secrets can’t stay hidden for long. Bold, emotionally charged, and filled with unforgettable moments, Rivals is a thrilling ride through a landscape of breathtaking beauty, fierce competition and life-changing decisions where the cost of success could be everything.”
So, who’ll be the new faces joining David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Danny Dyer et al? Per Deadline, Hayley Atwell has come aboard as Helen Gordon, the ex-wife of Hassell’s Rupert Campbell-Black and the mother of his two children, Marcus and Tabitha, while Rupert Everett will take on the role of Gordon’s husband, Malise Gordon, Campbell-Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor. Alongside them will be Maxim Ays, Holly Cattle, Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt and Jonny Weldon.
There will be 12 episodes this time around, up from the eight-part first season, and with filming now in the final stages, a release date shouldn’t be far off. In all honesty, it can’t come soon enough.