Disney+ has officially unveiled the first look trailer for the highly anticipated second season of its hit drama series, Rivals, simultaneously confirming the release date for eager fans. The new episodes will be available to stream from May 15, promising a return to the hedonistic, cutthroat world of 1980s television.
A Glimpse into the Glamorous Chaos
The newly released trailer offers a tantalising preview of the drama to come, reintroducing the five central characters. David Tennant reprises his role as the ruthless Lord Tony Baddingham, managing director of the Corinium television company. His arch-nemesis, retired Olympian and Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black, is once again portrayed by Alex Hassell.
The core ensemble is completed by Aidan Turner as former BBC journalist Declan O'Hara, Nafessa Williams as American TV producer Cameron Cook, and Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara. The trailer confirms a major cliffhanger resolution: Lord Baddingham, who was left for dead after a violent confrontation in the season one finale, is very much alive. He makes a dramatic return via helicopter, complaining of a mere headache and vowing to continue his war with rival Rupert.
Synopsis Teases Escalating Conflict
The official synopsis sets the stage for heightened conflict, stating: 'The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase.' It promises that Tony Baddingham is 'more ruthless than ever' and determined to dismantle his competitors by weaponising scandal and manipulating allies.
Amid the backdrop of 1980s excess, the personal lives of the Rutshire set spiral further into chaos. The synopsis hints at fractured marriages, illicit affairs threatening families, and long-buried secrets with explosive consequences. 'As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory,' it questions, 'But what is the true cost of war?'
Steamy Scenes and Career Moves
True to form, the trailer features a string of saucy and dramatic moments. Viewers are treated to a shower scene involving Aidan Turner's Declan O'Hara and his on-screen wife. Bella Maclean's Taggie is seen at a boozy pool party, her attention caught by a chiselled man emerging from the water, despite her ongoing romance with Rupert Campbell-Black.
Elsewhere, character arcs continue to develop. Emily Atack's Sarah Stratton appears to be flourishing in her career, hosting a shiny new television show. Meanwhile, Katherine Parkinson's Lizzie Vereker seems to be growing closer to Danny Dyer's character, Freddie Jones, continuing a complicated dynamic from the previous season.
Behind-the-Scenes Drama with a Porcine Performer
Filming for the new series was reportedly not without its own unique challenges. Production was momentarily thrown into chaos by a boisterous piglet introduced as an 'accessory' for a scene. The animal, adorned with a bow tie, is said to have defecated on actors' costumes and screeched loudly enough to ruin several takes.
A source indicated that some on set, including actor Danny Dyer, took pity on the distressed piglet. A spokesperson for production company Happy Prince assured that animal welfare was paramount, stating compliance with all regulations and that an American Humane representative was present to oversee all scenes involving animals.
Building on a Successful Foundation
The confirmation of a second season follows the significant success of the first eight-episode run, which ended on a major cliffhanger and left fans clamouring for more. This new season will treat viewers to an extended run of episodes. The series is based on the novels by the late author Dame Jilly Cooper, who visited the set just days before her passing in October last year.
With the release date now set and the trailer promising more scandal, ambition, and 80s glamour, Rivals is poised to reclaim its title as one of television's naughtiest shows when it returns to Disney+ on May 15.
