Phew — a second season of British drama Rivals is on the way. Walt Disney streamer Disney+ said on Wednesday that its critically acclaimed series, based on the novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper, will return for a second season after the first ended on a dramatic cliffhanger.
With a star-studded cast of Aidan Turner, David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Emily Atack, Victoria Smurfit, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, Nafessa Williams and Luke Pasqualino, the series has proved overwhelmingly popular with Disney+ viewers.
The story follows Cooper’s novel on the infamous scoundrel Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and his rivalry with Tony Baddingham (Tennant) that seeps into the world of Baddingham’s Corinium independent commercial television station, located in the fictional county of Rutshire, the Cotswolds in southwest England.
Rivals is part of Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles series of novels. The author said: “Nearly 40 years after my novel Rivals was published, I’ve adored seeing the world fall in love with my beloved characters — Rutshire’s Finest. And it has been a fairytale come true working with Happy Prince [part of ITV Studios] and Disney+ on the first season. I’m orgasmic with excitement and cannot wait for the return of my superhero Rupert Campbell-Black and the rest of the characters in season two!”
Lee Mason, executive director of scripted originals, EMEA Disney+, added: “It’s been phenomenal seeing the reaction to Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals — this autumn’s most talked about series. We’re thrilled that existing fans of the novels, alongside those new to the Cooperverse, have taken the series to their hearts. I can’t wait to get back to Rutshire and see what exciting drama the Happy Prince team have in store for season two — bring on more romance, betrayal, and shoulder pads!”
Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (A Very English Scandal, Holding, EastEnders), Alexander Lamb (Ackley Bridge, The Bay, We Hunt Together), Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty (Cheaters, Ted Lasso), Laura Wade (The Riot Club), Dame Jilly Cooper and Disney+ EMEA scripted content, Jonny Richards.
Rivals will return to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the U.K. and internationally.