Will there be a Rivals season 2? Latest news and speculation

Will there be a Rivals season 2? Latest news and speculation

As a die-hard fan of Jilly Cooper’s works and someone who has followed the Corinium MD saga since its inception, I can’t help but feel that if Rivals were to return for a second season, it would be nothing short of a rollercoaster ride of emotions.


*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for Rivals season 1.*

It seems you’ve found yourself here, much like us, pondering the possibility of more episodes following the thrilling conclusion of Disney Plus’s series Rivals in its first season.

The climax of this captivating, steamy series brimming with tension, passion, and betrayal was absolutely thrilling, especially in the last episode where everything intensified significantly.

The show, sharing its name with a Jilly Cooper novel, has been met with rave reviews by both critics and readers of the original book. Featuring a talented ensemble of beloved actors and intriguing adaptations from the source, it’s clear that this drama will leave audiences eager for future installments.

Read on for everything we know so far about a potential second season of Rivals on Disney Plus.

Will there be a Rivals season 2?

Will there be a Rivals season 2? Latest news and speculation

As of now, Disney Plus has not announced a second season of Rivals.

Following the debut of the show on the streaming platform, it’s common practice for a decision regarding renewal or cancellation to be communicated based on audience engagement and viewership data collected afterward.

Given the exceptional effort put into the production, the talented team, and the cast, it’s reasonable to expect that the series “Rivals” might have a lasting impact. Moreover, it’s worth noting that “Rivals” is merely one of the books in the Rutshire Chronicles series by Cooper.

The sequel you’re referring to is actually the second book in a collection of eleven novels. Therefore, there’s a wealth of content for the showrunner, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, to draw from, if the chance presents itself!

When could a potential Rivals season 2 be released?

Regarding a possible second season of Rivals, it might take some time before new episodes become available for viewing on our screens.

Given that the cast for Rivals was announced in March 2023 and its first season premiered in October 2024, it appears they might have finished filming within a year. If a second season gets approved quickly, we might anticipate a release date for Rivals season 2 sometime around the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Absolutely, the return of Rivals might take a few years due to coordinating the busy schedules of its stellar cast, crafting the script for the second season, and arranging production timelines.

Who could star in a potential Rivals season 2?

Will there be a Rivals season 2? Latest news and speculation

One appealing aspect of Rivals is undeniably its recognizable cast. It’s safe to assume that the residents of Rutshire will likely reappear in future events as well.

Given that the first season offered a peek into all their lives and hinted at numerous opportunities for a possible second season, it’s reasonable to anticipate that most of the cast would likely reappear in case there is indeed a Season 2.

On the other hand, it’s plausible that the character who won’t reappear might be David Tennant, the actor portraying Lord Tony Baddingham.

Given that Tony was struck over the head with an award by his lover and Corinium producer, Cameron Cook (played by Nafessa Williams), it’s uncertain if Tony will manage to live through the potentially lethal attack.

It remains uncertain if Maud (Victoria Smurfit) will come back at all, following her unexpected departure from the family’s recently moved house in Rutshire, where she chose to return to London instead.

The main Rivals cast that we’d expect to see return for a possible second season are as follows:

  • Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black
  • David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham
  • Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara
  • Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
  • Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara
  • Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O’Hara
  • Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara
  • Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
  • Oliver Chris as James Vereker
  • Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones
  • Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones
  • Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham
  • Luke Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham
  • Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton
  • Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton
  • Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn
  • Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton
  • Lara Peake as Daysee Butler
  • Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson

What could happen in a potential Rivals season 2?

Will there be a Rivals season 2? Latest news and speculation

Indeed, the final episode of Season 1 of The Rivals set several storylines in motion, implying that there would be ample material to delve into should a Season 2 be produced.

In a hypothetical second season of Rivals, we might expect the storyline to delve into the consequences of Cameron’s attack on Tony and reveal whether Corinium MD managed to survive. Given that Cameron was supposed to be at home with Lady Monica (played by Claire Rushbrook) for a marital discussion, it’s plausible that Lady Monica might choose to leave Tony if he survives the assault.

Given that he had proposed to Cameron, was prepared to divorce Lady Monica for her sake, and then discovered her betrayal by joining Venturer and having an affair with Rupert (Alex Hassell), it’s reasonable to assume that this event would significantly shift Tony’s initially villainous character into a different direction.

It’s plausible that, if Tony were to pass away, the struggle for autonomous TV broadcasting in the Central South West region might not necessarily remain a fight anymore.

Regarding other characters, Rupert and Taggie (Bella Maclean) expressed their affection for one another, even though Rupert was deeply involved in a TV series with Cameron. Loyal to Taggie’s father, Declan, Rupert had pledged to keep his distance from her. If their feelings became public knowledge, it could potentially disrupt the professional relationship between Rupert and Declan.

Following the discovery that her husband was involved romantically with co-host Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack), Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) chose to confront the situation head-on and embark on an affair with Freddie (Danny Dyer). Despite never having acted on these feelings before, the two seemed deeply attracted to each other in the finale as they followed their hearts rather than staying faithful to partners who didn’t bring them happiness.

However, things weren’t going smoothly for Sarah. Not only did she discover she was expecting a child, but she also learned that Tony had chosen journalist Beattie Johnson as her new gossip show co-host, which was a disappointment since the show was meant to be Sarah’s big TV opportunity. Faced with this dilemma, Sarah began to contemplate whether she should switch to Venturer. Moreover, she found herself questioning the identity of the father of her unborn child – Paul or James?

Despite successfully securing the franchise, Venturer still has a tough road ahead, as they must demonstrate their worthiness against Corinium. Meanwhile, it’s apparent that Declan will need to address Maud’s departure. The impact on their marriage and her bond with the children remains uncertain; we can only speculate as time unfolds.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must clarify that Rivals is but one tale within the collection of novels penned by Jilly Cooper. If the TV adaptation were to adhere to the chronology of her works, it’s not out of the question that a second season could delve into an entirely new set of characters.

As a film enthusiast, I’m excited to delve into the narrative of the novel that follows Rivals, Polo!, centering around Ricky France-Lynch. It seems plausible that the upcoming TV drama might intertwine elements from the book with the series, providing fans with the resolution they crave after the season 1 cliffhangers.

On October 18th, 2024, the much-anticipated series “Rivals” will be available on Disney Plus. To secure your access, subscribe to Disney Plus today for only £4.99 per month or enjoy a full year of entertainment for £79.90.

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2024-10-18 18:34