If you’re anything like us, you’ve already gobbled up Hulu and Disney+’s Rivals. So of course the only question on your mind is: Will there be a Rivals season 2?
The first season, inspired by the second book in Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series, introduced us to the bitter rivalry between ex show jumper Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), journalist Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), and TV mogul Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant). Set in the English Cotswolds in the 1980s, the show is an endlessly addictive and surprisingly satisfying guilty pleasure of a show, filled with displays of excess, over-the-top sex scenes, and plenty of deliciously awful people. In short, we need more of it!
And good news: You’re gonna get it. Here’s what we know about Rivals season two so far…
Robert Viglasky/Disney+
What happened in Rivals season one?
First, a quick recap of everything that happened in the first eight episodes: The show loosely follows the events of Cooper’s novel of the same name, which is actually the second book in her famous 11-book Rutshire Chronicles series. The show takes us deep into the lives of the English elite as they climb the social ladder through both business maneuvers and romantic affairs.
The series begins as a long-standing rivalry between a charismatic ex-Olympic rider turned politician named Rupert Campbell-Black and the somewhat sinister TV station controller Lord Tony Baddingham comes to a head. Tony expands Corinium Television, bringing on new chat-show host Declan O’Hara.
Things finally come to a head (spoiler alert!) at the British Television Awards. Corinium Television wins an award at the event, but there is a whole lot going on behind the scenes. Tony ends up proposing to Cameron (Nafessa Williams), a former NBC producer who moved from the US to the UK to work for Tony, promising to leave his wife for her. However, when she reveals that she has been having a relationship with Rupert—and that she wants that relationship to continue—he slaps her. Cameron ends up hitting Tony over the head with their award, and we are left with a shot of Tony bleeding on the floor in a tantalizing cliffhanger.
Robert Viglasky/Disney+
Will there be a Rivals season two?
Rivals season one left us with plenty of questions. For one thing, we still don’t know if Tony is actually dead or what will happen to Corinium Television.
Luckily, Hulu has confirmed a second season of the show, though we’ll have to wait a little longer before we get any answers.
“Following widespread critical acclaim and a dramatic, cliff-hanger ending, EMEA Disney+ with Happy Prince (part of ITV Studios) has officially renewed the hit UK Original series for a second run,” the streaming service announced via a press release. “Rivals will return to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the UK and internationally.”
The announcement didn’t give any details about the plot of season 2, or who will be returning, but we hope to see all of our favorites come back. In a recent Radio Times interview, cast member Danny Dyer—who plays Freddie Jones in the show—hinted he might return, saying, “We might be busy on the second series of Rivals so you know, Walford or Rivals. Maybe I can do both.”
Likewise, Victoria Smurfit, who portrays Maud O’Hara, told Radio Times, “I’d want a season three and four. You’ve got so many glorious characters to follow.”
Given the fact that Rivals is based on one novel of 11 books in Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, there is certainly plenty of content for future seasons to work with.
Robert Viglasky/Disney+
What might happen in a potential Rivals season two?
Like we said, there is plenty of source material to draw from for a potential Rivals season 2. Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series is 11 books long, so the show could easily run for a few more seasons.
It’s worth noting, however, that each of Cooper’s novels follows a new set of characters, though Rupert does reappear throughout the series.
Robert Viglasky/Disney+
Is there a Rivals season two release date?
Even though the second season has been confirmed, we still don’t know yet when the show might return. Our best guess? it would likely be at least a year. Of course we’ll keep you updated as soon as we learn more.
A version of this article previously appeared in Glamour UK.
