The executive producer of Rivals, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, recently opened up about the emotional impact Dame Jilly Cooper’s sudden death had on the production of the hit TV series’ second season.
Dame Jilly Cooper, the acclaimed bestselling author whose novels are the foundation of Rivals, passed away unexpectedly at age 88 on October 5, 2025, after sustaining a head injury from a fall at her home. Her death came as a shock to the entire cast and crew, especially as they had been in close contact just days prior.
Speaking at an exclusive Q&A screening for Rivals series 2, Dominic reflected on those difficult moments and shared how the new season serves as a tribute to her enduring influence. “We were talking to her on the Thursday before she died suddenly that weekend,” he revealed. “She gave notes on the final episode and even cheekily reprimanded me for a sex scene I wrote—saying, ‘Dominic! You’re so naughty, Dom!’ But I told her, ‘Jilly, you wrote it all, I took it verbatim,’ and she laughed, ‘I’m naughty then, aren’t I?’ She was incredible—a brilliant friend who was often on set and so incredibly smart and wonderful.”
READ MORE: Tropicana Arena to Shine Spotlight on Weston-super-Mare’s Entertainment Scene
READ MORE: No Direct Glastonbury Town Deal Funding Went to Fusion Lifestyle Before Administration
Dominic confirmed that Dame Jilly had approved the scripts before her passing, and they had already been planning future seasons, including potential adaptations of her novels such as The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous. “She got to see Rivals season 1 and 2, and to watch her stories reach a new generation of fans—that’s a rare gift,” he added emotionally. “This season is truly a tribute to her.”
Continuing the story in the glamorous yet cutthroat world of 1980s Rutshire television, season 2 of Rivals plunges viewers into escalating rivalries and high-stakes drama. Disney+ describes the new season as a battle royale between television empires Corinium and Venturer, with David Tennant’s Lord Tony Baddingham returning on a mission to dismantle his enemies by weaponizing scandal and manipulation.
Amid the era’s hedonistic excess, personal tensions mount: marriages unravel, affairs threaten to explode, and secrets long buried come to light. Loyalties will be tested and hearts broken as the characters fight not just for power, but for survival.
The first three episodes of Rivals season 2 premiere on Disney+ this Friday, May 15, continuing the gripping saga that honors Dame Jilly Cooper’s unforgettable legacy.