Earlier this year, Disney released the first season of the British Original series, “Rivals”, which is part of Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles, and is packed full of wit, romantic entanglements, sex and unforgettable characters. The story is set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England in the ruthless world of independent television.

The show was released on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and on Disney+ around the world; following its initial release, it pulled in a big enough audience that Disney quickly announced a second season is in development.

During a recent interview with “Rivals” showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins, he provided an update on the second season, saying:

“Our hope has always been the Jilly Cooper-verse.  And what I find fascinating is quite a young U.S. audience are reading ahead now, comparing Rupert and Taggie to Twilight! This is a universal story.

Of course, I’ve got the ghost of season one on my shoulders.  I’m writing as someone who’s a type A overachiever. That’s a challenge to have. So looking ahead to season two, it’s bigger, better, bolder, stronger. We know we want to keep coming back with the show.”

We’ve already started working on scripts. We’re laying down little Easter eggs for the viewers.  We’re being really rigorous. But what’s great is the team are fans. We watch telly, we are the audience, so we’re going to be harder on ourselves than the audience ever will.”

The series stars Alex Hassell, David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Bella Maclean, alongside Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, Nafessa Williams, Emily Atack and Victoria Smurfit.

“Rivals” is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (“A Very English Scandal”, “Holding”, “EastEnders”), Alexander Lamb (“Ackley Bridge”, “The Bay”, “We Hunt Together”), Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty (“Cheaters”, “Ted Lasso”), Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (“The Riot Club”), “Rivals” author Dame Jilly Cooper and for Disney+ EMEA Scripted Content, Jonny Richards.

Roger’s Take: The last season ended with multiple cliffhangers to help set up a future season, so there are plenty of ways the show could continue, especially since the Rutshire Chronicles consists of eleven books, and “Rivals” is the second book in the series. It might make sense why the storyline from the third book, “Polo,” would be the basis of a second season.

The first season of “Rivals” is available to stream now on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and on Disney+ around the world.   No release date or window for a second season has been revealed yet.

Are you looking forward to watching the second season of “Rivals”?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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