The 1980s-themed black comedy Rivals on Disney+ is gearing up for its eagerly awaited second season with exciting casting news and a major expansion in its episode lineup.
David Tennant will reprise his acclaimed BAFTA TV-nominated role as the ruthless Lord Tony Baddingham, a standout villain from the first season. Despite being left for dead after a confrontation with his mistress Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams), it has been confirmed that Lord Tony survived and is back for more scheming.
Filming for season two is set to begin this month, marking the return to Rutshire for an extended run of 12 episodes—up from the initial eight—promising viewers an even richer storyline.
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Fans can also expect the return of a strong ensemble cast, including Alex Hassell as Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner as rival TV producer Declan O’Hara, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, and Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara. The lineup is rounded out by Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, Victoria Smurfit, Claire Rushbrook, Oliver Chris, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atack, Rufus Jones, Luke Pasqualino, Catriona Chandler, and Annabel Scholey, all reprising their beloved roles.
Executive producer and author of Rivals, Dame Jilly Cooper, expressed her delight: “I’m utterly sex-static that filming for the second season is upon us. Working with Happy Prince and Disney+ last season was magical, and I’m thrilled to share the further mischief that my characters get up to.”
Happy Prince’s executive producers Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb added, “We’re excited to return to Rutshire with an extended 12-episode second season. Having the same fantastic team back both in front of and behind the cameras allows us to delve deeper into Jilly’s captivating world.”
Rivals draws inspiration from Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel, exploring the cutthroat rivalries and power struggles of the 1980s television industry in the fictional county of Rutshire. Disney+ promises the new season will bring “even more wit, desire, and dramatic twists” as ambitions soar, loyalties are tested, and hidden secrets threaten personal and professional lives alike.
Since its 2024 premiere, Rivals has become Disney+’s most successful general entertainment launch in the UK and has earned multiple RTS and BAFTA TV Craft Awards. Tennant and Parkinson’s performances have also received BAFTA TV nominations, underscoring the series' critical acclaim.
Season one of Rivals is currently streaming on Disney+.