Disney has tantalized fans with the first official glimpse of Rivals Season 2, the highly anticipated continuation of the acclaimed series based on the beloved novels by the late Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away in October 2025.
The newly released images highlight five of the show’s iconic characters. David Tennant returns as Lord Tony Baddingham, captured coolly walking away from a helicopter wearing dark sunglasses. Alex Hassell’s Rupert Campbell-Black is humorously caught in a tight spot inside a store cupboard. Meanwhile, Aidan Turner reprises his role as the mysterious Declan O’Hara, posed in front of a blue campervan, and Nafessa Williams commands attention as the formidable Cameron Cook. Bella Maclean also shines as Taggie O’Hara alongside Hassell in this exciting preview.
Filming is underway in various UK locations, including the Beaufort Polo Club in Berkeley, Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, Corsham’s high street, and Bristol’s bustling city spots like The Cosy Club Bristol and the Harbour Hotel on Corn Street. The second season is scheduled to premiere in 2026 on Hulu and Disney Plus, promising “even more wit, desire, and jaw-dropping twists.”
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Set against the picturesque Cotswolds countryside, the series explores the glittering yet cutthroat world of 1980s British television, where power struggles grow fiercer, rivalries deepen, and ambition tests loyalties to their limits. The storyline picks up after last season’s dramatic cliffhanger, with Lord Baddingham back and determined to protect the Corinium empire at all costs. The season promises a riveting mix of career gambles, fractured marriages, and reputation battles within a realm where secrets refuse to stay buried.
Joining the ensemble are acclaimed actors Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett. Atwell, known for her roles in Mission Impossible, portrays Helen Gordon—Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother to their children, Marcus and Tabitha. Everett takes on the role of Malise Gordon, Helen’s current husband and Rupert’s former show-jumping mentor. Additional fresh faces include Maxim Ays from Sanditon and Holly Cattle from Young Sherlock, alongside Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt, and Jonny Weldon.
The cast has paid heartfelt tribute to Dame Jilly Cooper following her passing. Gary Lamont, who plays Charles Fairburn, remarked, “There is nothing like a Dame. A privilege to have been in her orbit.” Lisa McGrillis, portraying Valerie Jones, added, “Darling Jilly, what an honour to know her.”
With its potent blend of glamorous settings, intense emotional drama, and high-stakes intrigue, Rivals Season 2 is poised to captivate audiences once again, offering a bold portrayal of ambition, loyalty, and the price of success in the glittering world of British television.