Rivals season two return date confirmed as Disney+ unveils first look

Disney+ has released a first look at the continuation of Rivals, with season two set to resume on 11 November. Based on the novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper, the adaptation stars Doctor Who actor David Tennant, Poldark’s Aidan Turner and former EastEnders star Danny Dyer. Set in the 1980s Cotswolds, the drama explores the high-stakes world of British television as professional feuds and personal lives collide, putting careers, reputations and marriages at risk.

Newly released images show Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham wearing a stern expression while seated in a church pew. Another picture captures a tense exchange between Freddie Jones (Dyer) and Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), both of whom are trapped in unhappy marriages. Alex Hassell returns as notorious womaniser Rupert Campbell-Black, seen in a new photo on horseback.

BBC journalist Declan O’Hara (Turner) also returns, alongside a preview of Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean) and Bas Baddingham (Luke Pasqualino) looking cosy. Previously announced cast additions are set to feature in the returning run, including Rachael Stirling as Lady Monica Baddingham’s vampish younger sister Araminta Pemberton, Rupert Evans as erudite headmaster David Hawkley, and Santiago Cabrera as Argentinian polo legend Alejandro Mendoza. Guest stars Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett will also return as Helen Gordon and Malise Gordon.

Season two of Rivals returns to Disney+ in the UK and internationally on 11 November, while airing on Hulu in the US. New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.

This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Given an extended run of 12 episodes, the series has garnered widespread praise from both critics and the public. The show was renewed for a third season in June.

Dame Jilly played an active role in the production, serving as an executive producer. During filming for the second series last October, she died unexpectedly at the age of 88 following injuries sustained in a fall at home. Speaking in October, Hassell revealed that Cooper visited the cast while they were filming season two “just the week before” she died.