It’s nearly time to return to the Cotswolds and dive into the delicious drama and romance of Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles. That’s right; Rivals Season 2 is set to premiere later this year. After debuting in October 2024, the series received a Season 2 renewal by December that same year. Executive producer and author Dame Jilly, who sadly passed away last October, shared a statement at the time of the show’s renewal:
“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 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!”
That debut season ended on quite the cliffhanger: Lord Tony Baddingham’s fate remained a question as Venturer won the franchise bid against Baddingham’s Corinium. Plus, Rupert Campbell-Black and Taggie O’Hara shared their first kiss, despite not being able to be together for many reasons – one of which was the franchise. A lot was happening in the Cotswolds last time Rivals was on TV. To catch up, we’ve gathered everything about Rivals Season 2 here.
What Is Rivals Season 2 About?
By May 2025, Disney+ announced that Rivals had begun production on its sophomore season. The first photos from the season dropped in December, along with a behind-the-scenes video that confirmed that cameras were still rolling. Executive producers for Happy Prince, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb, shared the following statement:
“We are so excited to be returning to Rutshire for an extended stay of twelve episodes for season two of Rivals. It’s very special to have the same team return in front of and behind the cameras, and we cannot wait to share more of Jilly’s world with our audience.”
The streamer also shared a lengthy yet vague description:
The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase. More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.
Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos. Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?
Who Is Starring in the New Season?
Get ready for a long list of familiar names because so many cast members are returning for Rivals Season 2. Reprising their roles are David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara, Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara, Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham, Oliver Chris as James Vereker, Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones, Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton, Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O’Har, Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson, Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn, Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton, Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara, Lara Peake as Daysee Butler, and Bryony Hannah as Dierdre Kilpatrick.
They will be joined by new guest stars, Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett, as announced in August 2025. You can find out more about who they’re playing here. Maxim Ays, Holly Cattle, Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt, and Jonny Weldon are also joining the ensemble for Rivals Season 2.
Will Rivals: The Official Podcast Return?
Yes! Journalist, broadcaster, and Rivals superfan Pandora Sykes will return as the host of Rivals: The Official Podcast. The visual podcast, produced by Platform Media, will include conversations with the show’s cast, creators, and celebrity fans, much like the first season of the podcast. Rivals: The Official Podcast will launch with the new season of Rivals on May 15. It will be available on Disney+ and wherever else you get your podcasts, and new episodes will roll out through the Season 2 finale. So, there is a lot of Rutshire Chronicles gold to look forward to over the next few months!
For example, you won’t want to miss this line-up of guests from the cast: Guests include David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, Victoria Smurfit, Claire Rushbrook, Oliver Chris, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atack, Rufus Jones, Luca Pasqualino, Annabel Scholey, and Gary Lamont. Sykes will also speak with creators and executive producers Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Laura Wade, and director Elliot Hegarty.
Here’s Pandora Sykes’s statement about the upcoming season of the podcast:
“It’s such a joy to be back hosting the Rivals Podcast! I cannot wait to dive back into the fabulous and naughty world of Rutshire. Join me on the podcast for all the behind-the-scenes gossip and action from the new season of Rivals, with the fantastic cast and creatives who made it happen.”
When Does Rivals’ Second Season Premiere?
Rivals Season 2 has a premiere date, but this is where things get a bit more confusing. This season is up from the first season’s eight-episode run. The twelve-episode season will unfold in two six-episode batches. Per Disney+, the first will premiere on Friday, May 15, on Disney+ and Hulu – but with only three episodes. It’s unclear if the other three episodes will unfold in weekly releases or be released in bulk on another date. Regardless, the second batch of six episodes is expected to premiere later in the year on Disney+ and Hulu.
In March 2026, Disney+ and Hulu shared the poster for Rivals Season 2, with the tagline, “They’ve made their bed, but are they ready to lie in it?” It features Tennant as Tony Baddingham, Williams as Cameron Cook, Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, Maclean as Taggie O’Hara, and Turner as Declan O’Hara. Where the first season’s trailer shows Rupert and Declan glaring at Tony, this one positions Tony and Declan as the “rivals.” That aligns with their campaigns via Corinium and Venturer, respectively. Meanwhile, Rupert is caught between Camera, with whom he shares a bed, and Taggie, “the Lady in Red.” The stage is certainly set for drama, romance, and more in Season 2.
We will update this section as more information is released.
Is There a Teaser Trailer?
As of February 2026, there is a teaser trailer for Rivals Season 2 that reintroduces audiences to the world of the Rutshire Chronicles. Hopefully, this teaser means there is a longer trailer in the works before the show returns in May. If not, there’s certainly plenty to appreciate in this near-minute of brand-new Rivals footage, set to Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony.”
Sarah Stratton sets the stage by opening with, “Welcome to the naughtiest show on television.” Of course, she’s talking about her new show, Uncensored, but it works for Rivals, too. Then, Tony takes over by saying, “Sorry, I’m late, darling. I’ve had a terrible headache.” Given that Season 1 ends with Cameron hitting Tony over the head with one of his cherished and very heavy awards in self-defensedefense, we’d say so! There’s also a shot of Taggie (and her sister, Caitlin) admiring Bas as he emerges from a pool. There’s a glimpse of Hayley Atwell’s turn as Helen.
The teaser features a tease of what’s next for Rupert and Taggie – the pining looks we’re about to get! There’s also champagne, dogs, sex, and a whole lot of complicated characters – the perfect representation of Dame Jilly’s Rutshire Chronicles. Declan O’Hara fittingly wraps up the trailer with, “It’s noisy. It’s entertaining. In the most delightful way.” Oh, it’s so, so good to be back!
Is There a Rivals Season 2 Trailer?
Less than a month out from the Season 2 premiere, Hulu and Disney+ released the full-length Rivals trailer, and it’s not one to miss. This trailer is stacked with details – for book readers and sole show watchers alike. There’s a genuine warmth and propulsive romantic energy throughout the entire two-minute trailer. The rhythm is really helped by polo having more prominence in this season. Rivals Season 2 takes the Rutshire Chronicles to 1987.
Starting with Lizzie’s voiceover, she writes, “People say that life isn’t a fairy tale. That Happily Ever After doesn’t exist. But what if you just haven’t found the person who will give you a happy ending?” What follows is a scandalous good time where Tony is more than ready to end Rupert and Declan. Meanwhile, they’re not backing down. Monica Baddingham has the excellent line that sees through it all for Tony: “You want to win so badly. You make yourself very easy to beat.”
The trailer takes a more breathless approach to its romance. Freddie calls his time with Lizzie “a beautiful dream I had.” Meanwhile, Taggie opens up to her siblings about the heartbreak she feels after Rupert created some distance post-his “I can’t breathe without you” moment. Also, Charles watches Gerald try to find a wife, and Taggie later tells Rupert, “You aren’t capable in love.” And don’t think it slipped by me that they’re standing in the same place where they kissed in Season 1 – Rivals, you beauty!
There’s also a hysterical tag with Tony and Paul in the same cupboard that Rupert and Taggie find themselves in earlier in the trailer. After all, don’t forget that Rivals is as silly as it is sexy. This show is all heart and humor. This trailer, set to Journey’s “Any Way You Want It,” encapsulates both of those qualities. It also finds its bookend in another, fitting Lizzie voiceover: “It’s up to you to give yourself the happy ending you deserve.”
Photos from Rivals Season 2
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