Disney+ has released the first batch of character stills for the highly anticipated next instalment of the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning drama ‘Rivals,’ based on the beloved bestselling novel by the late and much-missed Dame Jilly Cooper. The new images spotlight five of the series’ most iconic figures, offering fans their first glimpse at the drama, glamour and fierce rivalries set to ignite when the series returns in 2026.
The character stills feature:
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Lord Tony Baddingham, played by David Tennant (Doctor Who, The Thursday Murder Club), making a striking return following last season’s perilous cliffhanger.
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Rupert Campbell-Black, portrayed by Alex Hassell (The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Boys), the charismatic and notoriously competitive heartthrob.
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Declan O’Hara, brought to life by Aidan Turner (Poldark, The Hobbit Trilogy), the brilliant but volatile broadcaster.
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Cameron Cook, played by Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), whose ambition and talent threaten to upend the established order.
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Taggie O’Hara, portrayed by Bella Maclean (Sex Education, London Tide), whose warmth and determination make her a fan favourite.
Currently filming across the UK, the 2026 chapter of ‘Rivals’ promises even more wit, desire and jaw-dropping twists as power struggles intensify, loyalties fray and ambition reaches dangerous new heights. Following the nail-biting revelations of season one, Lord Baddingham is back—angrier than ever and ready to stop at nothing to keep Corinium’s broadcasting empire untouchable.
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Set against the lush beauty of the Cotswolds and the high-gloss, high-stakes world of 1980s British television, this new instalment reunites the all-star ensemble that captivated viewers while introducing a host of fresh faces. As careers, marriages and reputations hang precariously in the balance, the collision of personal and professional lives will expose long-buried secrets that refuse to stay hidden.
Bold, emotional and irresistibly addictive, ‘Rivals’ continues to deliver the glamour, sharp humour and heart-stopping drama that have made Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles a phenomenon. Season two looks set to raise the stakes even higher, pushing every character to the brink in a world where the price of success could cost everything.
Produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios, ‘Rivals’ is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (A Very English Scandal, Holding, EastEnders), Alexander Lamb (Ackley Bridge, The Bay), Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty (Cheaters, Ted Lasso), Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (The Riot Club), Dame Jilly Cooper, and for Disney+ EMEA Scripted Content, Jonny Richards. Eliza Mellor (The Midwich Cuckoos, Behind Her Eyes, Poldark) returns as Series Producer.
The series is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh, and Dare Aiyegbayo, and directed by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J. Johnson, and Dee Koppang O’Leary.
‘Rivals’ will return to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the UK and internationally in 2026. All episodes of ‘Rivals’ season one are available to stream now on Disney+.
