THE LATE JILLY Cooper was behind a whole load of racy novels, and one of her most enduring series was the Rutshire Chronicles. The second book in the series was Rivals, which was transformed into a streaming series in 2024 by Disney+.

Now comes the second season of Rivals, which again boasts an ensemble cast that includes our own Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, David Tennant as media boss Lord Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell as Baddingham’s nemesis Rupert Campbell-Black, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones and Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara (actress wife of Declan). 

The first series was an unqualified success, thanks to the fact that it leaned into the huge wigs, big shoulder pads, steamy sex scenes and Cooper’s saucy humour.

Now Rivals is on the way back for its second season, which will drop next week. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Remind me, what happened in the first season?

Ana Blumenkron Ana Blumenkron

In the first season – set in 1986 – we were introduced to the British nobleman and MP Rupert Campbell-Black and his nouveau riche rival Lord Tony Baddingham.

Their rivalry is all centred around the world of TV. Baddingham owns Corinium, an independent commercial television station that’s tabloidy in its outlook, and in the first few episodes, he hired American producer Cameron Cook to help boost the company, as well as tempting hotshot Irish newsman Declan O’Hara from the BBC.

But O’Hara got tired of Baddingham’s antics and moved to the new production company Venturer, headed up by Dyer’s character Freddie Jones. Baddingham, of course, is less than pleased.

Meanwhile, Freddie has an affair with Lizzie Vereker, wife of Corinium presenter James Vereker, Baddingham has an affair with Cameron, and Campbell-Black gets involved with various people, including – most notably – Declan O’Hara’s daughter, Tiggy. 

It all ended on a cliffhanger after Cameron attacked Baddingham in his office, leaving him in a pool of blood.

So what’s about to happen in season two?

Well, we know from the trailer that Baddingham survived. Now he’s – understandably, you might say – on a mission to destroy Rupert Campbell-Black and Declan O’Hara’s Venturer. (His… rival. Geddit?)

This time around, we’ll also get to watch some of the beloved Rutshire sport polo on our screens, thanks to the introduction of the new characters Sebbie and Dommie Carlisle.

Plus, we’ll have plenty of romance and drama between Rupert and Taggie, Freddie and Lizzie, Declan and Maud, Charles and Gerald, and Sarah and Paul. But expect lots of twists and turns here, as love certainly doesn’t run smooth in Rutshire.

What else do we know?

David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham Disney+ Disney+

We’re told that the battle for the Central South West television franchise “reaches fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase”.

Baddingham is described as “more ruthless than ever” and able to weaponise scandal and manipulate people closest to him to maintain his level of power.

And don’t forget that this is all taking place during the hedonistic 1980s, when tempers and temperatures are running high. And the hair was even higher.

So we’re told:

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. 

Are there any new cast additions?

Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker and Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones Robert Viglasky Photography Robert Viglasky Photography

 There are indeed. Guest stars this season include:

• Hayley Atwell (Mission Impossible) as Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children
• Rupert Everett (Napoleon) as her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor.
• Maxim Ays (Boarders) as Sebbie Carlisle
• Bobby Lockwood (Wolfblood) as Dommie Carlisle.

When can we watch it?

The series will roll out in two six-episode batches.

It kicks off with a three-episode premiere on 15 May, followed by the second batch later this year on Disney+ in the UK.