Rivals – with an all-star cast that includes David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Emily Atack and Nafessa Williams – has been renewed, with Disney confirming we’re getting a second season of the Jilly Cooper adaptation.
The announcement was made today (December 4), after a successful premiere season on the streaming platform.
“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,” author Dame Jilly Cooper, who also executive produced the show, said.
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“And it has been a fairytale come true working with Happy Prince 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!”
Show boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins also responded to the renewal announcement, saying: “It’s been magical to receive the love back from viewers that we put into Rivals.
“The Rivals team set out to create people’s favourite television show, something enduring that our audience would take to their hearts and watch and rewatch. We’re delighted that we’re returning to Rutshire with Jilly and Disney+. It’s a special place to be.”
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The story is set in the fictional English county of Rutshire and deals in the melodrama of the ruthless world of independent television in the 1980s. The focus is on the rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony Baddingham (David Tennant).
Fans of the hit show will no doubt be excited that a season two is on the way, given that the first season ended on a dramatic cliffhanger.
Rivals is available to stream on Disney+. Season 2’s premiere date is yet to be confirmed.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).