News just in! Disney+ has confirmed that filming has officially commenced on a phenomenal second series of Rivals - and the good news doesn't stop there. Not only is the brilliantly racy drama back, it's returning with an extended series of 12 episodes that are set to be bolder than ever!
According to Disney+, we're in for "even more wit, desire, and dramatic twists" and as "power struggles escalate and rivalries deepen, ambition drives every move, pushing loyalties to the edge." With filming due to start this month, we've got all the inside details about the upcoming second series, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Rivals about?
Based on the second book in author Dame Jilly Cooper’s The Rutshire Chronicles, Rivals is set in the fictional county of Rutshire (somewhere between the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire) and depicts the cut-throat world of 1980s independent television.
At the centre of the story is an ongoing head-butting match between Lord Tony Baddingham, owner of Corinium television studios, and Olympic show jumper-turned-Tory politician Rupert Campbell-Black. Caught in the crossfire is Declan O’Hara, an Irish TV presenter who’s just jumped ship from the BBC to work for Baddingham at Corinium, and moved his wife, Maud, and teenage daughters, Taggie and Caitlin, to Rutshire to do so.
Add to that a heady 1980s soundtrack, a plethora of bed-hopping and plenty of jubilant partying, and you’ve got yourself a TV show that will make any viewer nostalgic for the era – whether they were there or not. The brilliant series 1 finale episode left us on an absolutely nail-biting cliffhanger, which series 2 has surely got to provide some answers to.
What will happen in Rivals series 2?
The second instalment will see the return of the original all-star cast, as as well as introducing brand new faces, although Disney+ hasn't yet confirmed who those new faces will be. According to the official synopsis, "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."
It continues: "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."
Executive Producer and Rivals author, Dame Jilly Cooper commented: "I’m utterly sex-static filming for the second season is upon us. It was magical working with Happy Prince and Disney+ on the first season and seeing everyone fall head over heels for my beloved characters. I’m delighted to be able to work with them again and for everyone to see what further mischief they all get up to!"
Executive Director of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA, Lee Mason added: "It's a real privilege to have this phenomenal team back together for season two of Rivals. From the exceptional cast, the remarkable creative team behind the camera – including the one and only Dame Jilly Cooper. Disney+ audiences are in for an absolute treat... Rutshire here we come…"
Admittedly, that doesn't exactly tell us much about what will happen in the second series, but there are certain questions we need answered from it, and we have a few theories about what might be in store. Series 1 ended with Lord Tony Baddingham being left for "dead" on the floor of his office and if series 2 follows the books, this is how we expect things to unfold...
Is Lord Tony Baddingham dead?
The first series ends when his mistress Cameron (in an act of self-defence) hits him over the head with a TV award. He’s last seen lying on the floor of his office with blood around his head. So is it a fatal blow? Not if it follows the course of the book, in which Tony survives, but his relationship with Cameron does not, and she heads straight into the arms of arch rival Rupert Campbell-Black.
What will happen between Rupert and Taggie O’Hara?
They’ve shared a kiss together and admitted how they feel about one another – but Rupert has promised Taggie’s Dad, Declan, that he’ll steer clear, realising he’s too old for her with his rakish past. But they can’t resist one another. In the book, Rivals ends with passionate declarations of love – and a marriage proposal.
Who is Perdita?
We know there’s a scandal involving Rupert which Declan was going to expose in the first series – he doesn’t, but we see the name ‘Perdita’ written on a document. What is she to Rupert? In Polo – the sequel to Rivals – Perdita MacLeod is a beautiful teenager who’s desperate to be a polo rider. She’s definitely got the genes for it as she’s Rupert’s illegitimate daughter from a past relationship. And even he doesn’t know anything about her, yet…
Who's in the cast of Rivals series 2?
The confirmed cast of Rivals series 2 includes:
- David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham
- Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black
- Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara
- Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
- Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara
- Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
- Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones
- Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara
- Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham
- Oliver Chris as James Vereker
- Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones
- Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton
- Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton
- Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham
- Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara
- Annabel Scholey
How can I watch Rivals series 2?
Disney+ hasn't yet confirmed a release date for Rivals series 2, but given filming is about to get underway, we'd expect it to arrive at some point later this year or in early 2026. As soon as we have an official date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can catch up on Rivals series 1, which is available to stream on Disney+.
