Disney+ has unveiled first look character stills for the next instalment of Rivals, based on the best-selling novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper. The series is produced by ITV Studios indie Happy Prince.
The images feature five iconic characters including Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner ), Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) and Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean ).
Currently filming in the UK, Rivals returns in 2026.
Set in the Cotswolds countryside and against the backdrop of the world of 1980s British television, the second instalment reunites the cast while introducing new faces. Following last season’s cliffhanger with Tony’s fate hanging in the balance, Lord Baddingham is back and out for vengeance ready to stop at nothing to keep Corinium’s empire unrivalled.
Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, playwright Laura Wade (‘The Riot Club’), Rivals author Dame Jilly Cooper and for Disney+ EMEA Scripted Content, Jonny Richards. Eliza Mellor returns as Series Producer.
It is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh and Dare Aiyegbayo, directed by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson and Dee Koppang O’Leary. The series was commissioned by Executive Director of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA, Lee Mason.
Rivals will return to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the UK and internationally.
Pippa Considine
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