‘Rivals’ Sets Season 2 Part 2 Release Date; First-Look Photos & Teaser

Hulu has set a fall premiere date for the remaining six episodes of Season 2 of Rivals, starring David Tennant, Alex Hassell and Aidan Turner. Part 2 of Jilly Cooper’s adaptation from her Rutshire Chronicles, will premiere with three episodes on Nov. 11 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the U.S. Hulu also released some first-look images, which you can see above and below, and a teaser.

In Season 2 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. More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham (Tennant) is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power. 

Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 1980s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos.

The new images give us first look at what’s to come as the residents of Rutshire have been left reeling from tragedy, scandal and betrayal. Picking up after the gut-wrenching mid-series finale, Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara’s battle for the Cotswolds crown reaches fever pitch, while Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons.

Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise war, Taggie O’Hara must find the courage to follow her heart, while those around her face the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that can no longer remain hidden. But as series two draws to a close, who will get their happy ending?

In addition to Tennant, Hassell and Turner, returning cast includes Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook; Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara; Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker; Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones; Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara; Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham; Oliver Chris as James Vereker; Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones; Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton; Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton; Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham; Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O’Hara; Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson; Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn; Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton; Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara; Lara Peake as Daysee Butler and Bryony Hannah as Deirdre Kilpatrick.

Previously announced new cast members include Rachael Stirling, introduced as Araminta Pemberton, Lady Monica Baddingham’s vampish younger sister, Rupert Evans as erudite headmaster David Hawkley, and Santiago Cabrera as Argentinian Polo legend Alejandro Mendoza. Also returning are guest stars, Hayley Atwell as Helen Gordon and Rupert Everett as Malise Gordon. 

Rivals is produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. Executive producers include Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade, Rivals author Jilly Cooper. Eliza Mellor returns as Series Producer. It is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh and Dare Aiyegbayo, directed by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson and Dee Koppang O’Leary.