We Have Both Good And Bad News About 'Rivals' Season 2
It's the 'bonkbuster' of the year that's aching in old-fashioned small screen sex appeal, and if the success of Rivals, the adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's bestselling 1988 novel, in its first week anything to go by, there may well be plenty more where that came from.
The eight-episode series, which is based on the second out of 11 of the author's Rutshire Chronicles, centres on the cutthroat world of 1980s independent television in the era of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The storyline centres on Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner), a dishy Irish TV presenter who is roped into working at the failing Corinium television studios by its owner, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant). Also recruited by Lord Baddingham is Nafessa Williams' character, the glamorous American TV producer Cameron Cook, with the two initially butting heads.
FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE
It's clearly been a hit too; according to Google Trends, searches for the show and its cast have spiked by 900% in the UK over the past seven days alone with the show also amassing a far-from-humble Rotten Tomatoes rating of 95%.
So what of a second season? Well, the good news is that nothing's been ruled out, which — for the optimists among us — could very well indicate that a sophomore season is a very real and tangible possibility. Here's everything we know so far about a potential Rivals season two.
What would the plot of Rivals season 2 be?
Rivals is based on the second out of 11 of the author's Rutshire Chronicles, which all centre around Cooper's lust-worthy hero, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell). While the plot varies in each book, at the centre of each of their storylines is the broodingly handsome, aristocratic, 30-something politician Rupert, who, in Rivals, develops a romantic relationship O’Hara’s daughter Agatha (Bella Maclean), otherwise known as Taggie, who is 20. Cooper has previously revealed that Campbell-Black was a composite of the Duchess of Cornwall’s first husband Andrew Parker Bowles, fashion designer Rupert Lycett Green, and Michael Howard, the 21st Earl of Suffolk.
In an interview with Radio Times, Danny Dyer (who plays businessman Freddie Jones on the show) seemed hopeful for a second season. 'We might be busy on the second series of Rivals so you know, Walford or Rivals – maybe I can do both,' he said.
Dyer's sentiments on a second season were echoed by his co-star on the series, Victoria Smurfit, who plays Maud O’Hara. 'I’d want a season three and four. You’ve got so many glorious characters to follow,' she told Radio Times.
Who will make up the cast of Rivals season 2?
It's safe to assume that Alex Hassell will return as Rupert Campbell-Black — he was chosen to play the role out of 600 men who auditioned — and it's also highly likely that Bella Maclean will reprise her role as Taggie too, as — spoiler alert — the pair's relationship becomes a mainstay of the Rutshire Chronicles.
It's also likely, should a second season be commissioned, that Emily Atack will return as Sarah Stratton (after that bombshell revelation).
If the series were to follow the plot of third Rutshire Chronicles book Polo!, then the season would focus on the relationship between polo player Ricky France-Lynch and Perdita MacLeod, who is obsessed with becoming a top performing polo player.
When would Rivals season 2 air?
Cooper’s romantic romps have long captivated audiences, but they have been notoriously difficult to bring to the screen over the years.
The book was last made into a TV movie in 1993, starring Marcus Gilbert as Cooper's hero, Rupert Campbell-Black, while in 2016, there were reports that ITV had acquired the rights to nine out of 11 of the author's Rutshire Chronicles, but the show never materialised.
As for time frames though, filming for Rivals season one began in March 2023 and wrapped in September 2023 before the eight-part series premiered in October 2024. With that being said, if Disney+ commissions another series, we could very well expect it to premiere as early as 2026.
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
You Might Also Like
