The second season of Rivals, based on Jilly Cooper's novel, opens with a daring scene: within ten minutes, the Heavenly Twins, a pair of handsome blond polo-playing brothers, shed their clothes and dive into a swimming pool, shouting 'Chocks away!' This sets the tone for a series brimming with sex, politics, and corporate rivalry.
Setting the Scene
It is 1987, and the bitter TV franchise war continues between Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) of Corinium and the upstart Venturer, led by Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner), and Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer). The power struggle serves as a backdrop for a whirlwind of love, lust, and deception.
Love and Lust
Declan's daughter Taggie (Bella Maclean) is in love with Rupert, who is torn between her and American producer Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams). Cameron has been having an affair with Tony, her on-off boss. Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack), wife of MP Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones), has slept with nearly everyone and is pregnant, believing the father is Tony.
Freddie, married to social-climbing Valerie (Lisa McGrillis), is in love with novelist Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), who is married to the obnoxious Corinium anchor James (Oliver Chris). James has been involved with Sarah and tabloid queen Beattie Johnson (Annabel Scholey).
Evolving Characters
Tony remains a super-villain, but Rupert has changed. Now approaching 40, he confronts his past. 'He's trying to reckon with his actions,' says Alex Hassell. 'Sex is a big part of how he expresses this shift.' Rupert leads his polo team, The Jones Jets, to victory in the Rutshire Cup, a highlight of the season.
Danny Dyer's Freddie continues to win hearts. 'Freddie touched something with the audience,' he says. 'This season delves into the complications of two people madly in love but married with children.'
Production Details
The polo sequences were filmed at Berkeley Castle, with actors trained by the Beaufort Polo Team. The series boasts an authentic 80s aesthetic, from carbon-credit card machines to vintage cars. The soundtrack features hits like Bananarama's Venus and Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.
David Tennant praises the late Dame Jilly Cooper: 'She was our grand master. The uniqueness of the tone comes from her.' A tribute to her appears at the end of the first episode.
Rivals Season 2 starts on May 15 on Disney+.
