It's the news Rivals fans have been waiting for - the smash-hit series has officially been given the green light for a second series and is heading to Disney Plus and Hulu.

After the phenomenal success of Rivals season 1 fans of the Jilly Cooper adaptation were already looking forward to Rivals season 2 before it was even announced - and after the first season ended on a huge cliffhanger, everyone is desperate to know what happens next.

The racy eight-part series which stars David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer arrived on our screens in October and has become one of the most talked about TV shows of 2024.

Set in the fictional British county of Rutshire, the story centers around a long-term rivalry between ex-Olympic rider turned politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and TV station controller Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), who, along with their friends, family and neighbors, drip with ambition, lust and power.

And today, Wednesday, December 4, we have finally had the official announcement that the series will be returning for a new season.

Speaking of the exciting news, Dame Jilly Cooper, Executive Producer and Rivals author, said she is 'orgasmic with excitement' about the news! “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.

"It has been a fairytale come true working with Happy Prince and Disney Plus 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!"

Speaking of the news, Lee Mason, Executive Director of Scripted Originals, EMEA Disney Plus, added: “It’s been phenomenal seeing the reaction to Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals - this autumn’s most talked about series.

"We’re thrilled that existing fans of the novels, alongside those new to the Cooperverse, have taken the series to their hearts. I can’t wait to get back to Rutshire and see what exciting drama the Happy Prince team have in store for season two – bring on more romance, betrayal, and shoulder pads!"

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Chief Creative Officer of Happy Prince and Alexander Lamb, Creative Director of Happy Prince said: "It's been magical to receive the love back from viewers that we put into Rivals. The Rivals team set out to create people's favourite television show, something enduring that our audience would take to their hearts and watch and rewatch. We're delighted that we're returning to Rutshire with Jilly and Disney Plus. It's a special place to be."

You can watch all episodes of Rivals season 1 on Disney Plus in the UK and Hulu in the U.S.

Set in the dog-eat-dog world of 1980s independent television, glossy drama Rivals (now showing on Hulu in the US and on Disney Plus in the UK) is dripping with ambition, feuds and obnoxious characters. 

But standing out from the crowd of self-serving elites, such as Lord Tony Baddingham (played by Doctor Who star David Tennant) and local lothario Rupert Campbell-Black (The Boys’ Alex Hassell), is sweet-natured, self-made electronics magnate Freddie Jones (ex-EastEnders star Danny Dyer), who finds himself adrift in Rutshire’s snobbish society. 

Here, What To Watch joins Danny to talk about playing a ‘likeable' rogue in the eight-part romp adapted from Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel…

How did your involvement in Rivals come about, Danny?

"I was in a privileged position because I was offered the part, and it was a no-brainer.  I mean, Jilly Cooper? I knew it would be brilliant. Also, I’ve not had many opportunities to play a role where I look very different and I think this will change a few people’s perceptions of me." 

How does Freddie Jones fit into this world?

"There are a lot of vulgar characters, but Freddie is one of the likeable ones. He’s a working-class fella who’s found himself within this elite world, and while his wife Valerie [played by Lisa McGrillis] loves it, he doesn’t fit in. But then he meets romance novelist Lizzie Vereker [Katherine Parkinson] and they become fascinated with each other."

How involved was Jilly Cooper as an executive-producer?

"She made a beeline for me at the read-through. She loves Freddie, so I think she had to approve of me, and her way of doing that was giving me a cuddle and telling me how handsome I was. She was on set with her little notebook, too, but she let us get on with it." 

Reliving the trends, styles and music of the 1980s must have been fun?

"We had a ball shooting in big manor houses, all dressed up in ’80s clobber. It’s a decade like no other, especially with the look, and I think we’ve pulled it right out of the bag. But there’s a great scene where Freddie brings out a karaoke machine and I had to belt out Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell in front of everyone. This was quite early in this process, by the way, but it's a good way of indoctrinating yourself within the cast. It was heartful, the whole thing."

The outfits are fabulously nostalgic, but the men's moustaches deserve their own spin-off show!

"Indeed! I broke the news to my kids that I had to grow a moustache and they cried. Mine got really bushy, too, so I had a little brush and some oil. It was a bit much, but I grew to love that ’tache!"

All eight episodes of Rivals are available now on Hulu in the US and on Disney Plus in the UK.

Buckle up for a racy, rip-roaring Hulu (US)/Disney Plus (UK) adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel, Rivals, which whisks us back to the 1980s, when deals were sealed in the boardroom and the bedroom in the heady world of regional television in the UK. 

Based on the second novel in the Rutshire Chronicles series, Rivals is a deliciously British eight-part romp, which follows the long-simmering feud between power-hungry TV boss Lord Tony Baddingham (Doctor Who star David Tennant) and devilishly handsome showjumper-turned-Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black (The Boys’ Alex Hassell).

During a franchise renewal year, Tony is planning to expand his media empire and hires brilliant new chat-show host Declan O’Hara (Poldark star Aidan Turner) and hotshot producer Cameron Cook (Code Black’s Nafessa Williams). But when he spies an opportunity to publicly destroy his arch-rival, Rupert, can Tony finally get revenge on the man who has it all?

The drama features a star-studded ensemble cast, with antics also from Declan’s kind-hearted daughter Taggie (Bella Maclean), who catches Rupert’s eye, Declan’s flirty wife Maud (Victoria Smurfit), social climber Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) and Tony’s loyal wife Lady Monica (Claire Rushbrook). Plus, self-made electronics millionaire Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) and romance novelist Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson).  

Here, What To Watch joins Alex Hassell who plays heart-throb Rupert, in a Central London hotel for an exclusive chat about backstabbing and bed-hopping in the eight-part drama…

Are you a Jilly Cooper fan, Alex? How much did you know about Rupert before being cast?

“I read the first two books in the Rutshire series once I got the job, but I knew Jilly was a big cultural phenomenon beforehand, and that her novels involved class, sex and power dynamics. But I didn't know too much about the character, so it was fun finding out and being like, ‘Wow, okay, he’s an interesting guy!’”

Did you feel pressure playing such a legendary role?

“I was aware that producers had looked at lots of people for the role and therefore it was important to the story, and to Jilly, to get it right. I hope people feel that they did! Then, when I got the part and told people, I could see in their reactions that it was a pretty big deal.”

Can you tell us about him?

“He’s an extremely privileged man, and as the tabloids call him, ‘The most eligible bachelor in the country.’ He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and lives on an enormous ancestral estate. He’s a Tory MP, and the Minister for Sport. He’s also an ex-Olympic medal-winning showjumper and a playboy. He’s acted in fairly uncaring ways toward people in his past, but he starts to realise that if he wants to not end up rattling around alone in massive houses, he needs to change his ways.” 

Why does David Tennant’s character, Tony Baddingham, despise him so much?

“Tony can’t stand him, because from his perspective, Rupert’s life has been so easy. People throw themselves at Rupert’s feet and Tony is incredibly jealous about that, but Rupert thinks Tony is mean, cold and selfish. Unfortunately, David and I didn't get to act that much together because our characters are rivals, so we sort of have separate camps, but we do have some great scenes with lots of verbal sparring.”

What sort of interaction did you have with Jilly, who was one of the executive-producers? 

“She was on set a fair amount and was really encouraging. She gave the seal of approval for me as her Rupert, despite the fact I’m not blonde and blue-eyed like in the books. I think she felt I had managed to portray some essential 'Rupertness' that she was pleased with. I hope viewers think so, too.”

As one might expect, there are some steamy scenes. Were you apprehensive about that?

“The show is about relationships, adultery, monogamy and power, and sex can be a big part of these characters’ stories. We had important safe-guardings in place, with intimacy coordinators and discussions about what we felt comfortable with. Plus, we were blessed with a great cast, and everyone was so nice, relaxed and game. It was a lovely atmosphere.” 

Did you enjoy revisiting the 1980s? 

“Every department was world-class, from the set dressing and music to the costumes, hair and makeup, it was a riot of colour and creative energy. I was born in 1980, but it was amazing to step into that world and that level of opulence, which is not what my upbringing looked like. We were in brilliant, sunny locations, and everyone was so fun and naughty. Plus, I was riding a horse. It was a dream!”

How does the drama deal with the classism, sexism and racism of the time? 

"It's funny to think that the 1980s now seem that long ago, but one hopes that a lot of those things have changed, the ways that we perceive those kinds of prejudices. I hope that showing that level of casual misogyny, racism and general prejudice helps us see our own society as to what's changed and what hasn't. I think it's important to try to be true to the period as a way of throwing the focus on our current climate."

All eight episodes of Rivals are available on Hulu in the US and on Disney Plus in the UK, from Friday, October 18.

Fans of author Dame Jilly Cooper have been waiting breathlessly for this racy adaptation of her bestselling novel, Rivals, which delves into the world of 1980s regional television in the UK.

Set in the fictional British county of Rutshire, Rivals is an eight-part drama following a motley crew of characters all dripping with ambition, lust and power. 

What To Watch chatted to the star-studded ensemble cast who play them — including David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson and more — to get the inside scoop. 

Here’s our handy who’s who guide to Rivals…

Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant)

The controller of Corinium Television and Rupert’s narcissistic nemesis has clawed his way to the top with support from his steadfast wife, Lady Monica (Sherwood’s Claire Rushbrook).

“These are the days when ITV was split into regional franchises and Corinium is the Rutshire TV franchise,” explains Doctor Who and Good Omens star David. “Owning one was a big deal, and Tony is motivated by wealth and power, but also by the fact that he doesn’t come from the upper echelons of society, like Rupert.”

David says he has his actor wife, Georgia Tennant, to thank for his role adaptation. “Georgia knew Jilly’s books and was convinced I had to be involved, and that it would make sensational television,” says David. “She said, ‘It’s exactly what the country needs, exactly what the world needs!’ Whenever I’ve mentioned it, mostly but not exclusively, it’s a certain generation of women who go quiet and giddy at the thought that it’s become a TV show. I only hope we can meet everybody’s fantasies.”

Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell)

The ex-Olympic showjumper and Minister for Sport has Rutshire’s eccentric locals under his spell. Well, all except his ruthless adversary, Tony.  

“Tony can’t stand Rupert because, from his perspective, he’s effortlessly privileged,” says Alex, who’s had roles in The Boys and His Dark Materials. "People throw themselves at Rupert’s feet and Tony is jealous, but Rupert thinks Tony is mean, cold and selfish."

As one of the executive producers on the show, Jilly searched far and wide before casting her irresistible rake. 

"Jilly gave the seal of approval for me as her Rupert," says Alex. ‘I’m not blonde and blue-eyed like in the books, but I’d managed to portray some essential 'Rupertness' that she was pleased with. I hope viewers think so, too."

Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner)

The BBC’s star journalist moves his family from London to Rutshire when he signs with Corinium Television. Has he made a deal with the devil?

"Declan is selfishly career-driven but he’s neglected his family life, which is quickly undoing his marriage," says Poldark star Aidan. "He’s dealing with guilt and shame, and in brilliant 1980s-style, he’s burying it."

Aidan says "many things" spoke to him about Declan: "I had that feeling, which I never really get, but I knew I had to play him," he smiles. "We all had a blast filming it, too. Jilly set the tone from the top down. She’s cheeky!" 

Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean)

Declan and Maud’s kind-hearted daughter is overwhelmed by her demanding family but finds a distraction in local lothario Rupert.

"As much as people push her around and use her, Taggie has a strong moral compass," says Sex Education’s Bella Maclean. "She’s disinterested in Rupert at first and confronts him on how he treats women, which makes him look in the mirror for the first time. He likes that."

Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams)

When Tony brings the talented TV exec to Corinium to produce Declan’s chat show, she soon becomes entangled in her boss’s vendetta. 

"Cameron is smart, fierce, and she understands her responsibility as a producer and as a black woman in a white man’s 1980s world, but also as a woman in general," says Nafessa, who starred in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody. "She gets what she wants by any means necessary, but she has the wits, smarts and talent to back it up."  

Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer)

The self-made electronics millionaire is an outcast among the old-money elites, but his social-climbing wife Valerie (Maternal’s Lisa McGrillis) longs to be accepted.

"Freddie is a working-class fella who’s found himself within this elite world, and while his wife loves it, he doesn’t fit in," says ex-EastEnders star Danny, 47. "Then he meets Lizzie and they really get each other."

Rivals also reunites Danny with former EastEnders producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins. "It was a no-brainer," smiles Danny. "And we had a ball shooting in big manor houses, all dressed up in ’80s clobber." 

Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson)

The romance novelist is neglected by her TV presenter husband, James Vereker (The Crown’s Oliver Chris), but sparks fly when she meets Freddie Jones. 

"Lizzie is a writer, and even though her books get rejected, she keeps doing it because she loves it," says Katherine, 46, who’s known for The IT Crowd, Humans and The Kennedys. "Similarly, Freddie is nouveau riche, but he’s in this world on the back of his talent and that’s why they’re a good meeting of minds. It’s not just about fancying each other."

Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit)

Declan’s glamorous ex-actress wife sets her sights on seducing Rupert. Will her daughter, Taggie, get in her way?  

"Oh, Maud is a terrible mother!" laughs Bloodlands star Victoria. "She’s a self-obsessed, applause junkie, who needs validation from any man who’ll tell her she’s fabulous. But she’s decaying after moving from London and takes it out on her greatest rival: her hotter, younger and better daughter."

Who else stars in Rivals?

Rivals also stars Luke Pasqualino (The Musketeers, Snatch, Our Girl) as Tony’s younger half-brother, Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, a dashing polo player who owns Cotchester’s watering hole, Bar Sinister. 

Plus, Emily Atack (The Inbetweeners) plays Sarah Stratton, the social-climbing mistress-turned-wife of Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Stratton (W1A star Rufus Jones), who has destroyed his career and reputation for his new wife. 

All eight episodes of Rivals are available on Hulu in the US and on Disney Plus in the UK, from Friday, October 18.