Rivals Season 2: the news and plot

David Tennant reprises the role of Tony Baddingham, alongside Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson and Emily Atack. Alex Hassell: the new additions are Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett.

The Plot of the Second Season

The clash between Corinium and Venturer enters a critical phase. Tony Baddingham adopts more aggressive strategies to dismantle his rivals, using scandals and manipulations to maintain power. Against the backdrop of the excesses of the Eighties, the private lives of the Rutshire characters plunge into chaos.

The Release Date and Structure of the Season

Rivals Season 2 debuts on May 15 on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ in the rest of the world. The twelve episodes will be distributed in two blocks of six episodes each.

The Production and Tribute to Jilly Cooper

The series, produced by Happy Prince of ITV Studios, is based on the novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper, part of the bestselling Rutshire Chronicles. Cooper, who had held the role of executive producer in the first season, passed away after the conclusion of filming. Queen Camilla, a friend of the author, visited the set of the second season to pay tribute to her.

Executive production is entrusted to Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, playwright Laura Wade winner of the Olivier Award and, for Disney+, Jonny Richards. Eliza Mellor returns as series producer. The screenplay is written by Treadwell-Collins, Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh and Dare Aiyegbayo. Direction is by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson and Dee Koppang O'Leary.

David Tennant recently played the protagonist in Doctor Who and participated in Good Omens for Prime Video. Hayley Atwell appeared in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning and in the series Captain America: Brave New World. Aidan Turner recently worked in The Suspect for ITV, while Danny Dyer was the protagonist of Mr Bigstuff for Sky.