Bouffant hair, Bucks Fizz, skinny-dipping and debauchery – as Jilly Cooper’s 80s bonkbuster Rivals returns, its stars reveal why the new series is racier than ever

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Are you curious about when we’ll see a nude contestant on the new season of Rivals?

Start the timer for ten minutes into the show, and prepare to meet the Heavenly Twins – two handsome, blonde brothers who are skilled polo players.

Does this new scene compete with the infamous Rupert Campbell Black and his nude tennis match from the first series? It’s hard to say, but the characters involved are equally exposed and enthusiastically jumping into a pool, yelling a playful countdown.

It’s been a year and a half since the popular first TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles. Now, the series returns, bringing back the vibrant and bold style of the 1980s.

As a lifestyle expert, I always say understanding the cultural backdrop is key! And in 1987, that meant everyone was talking about the intense competition between TV networks – it was a real battle for ratings, much like it was when things first kicked off. It really defined the era.

Tony Baddingham, Lord Baddingham (played by David Tennant), runs the powerful Corinium. He’s facing a challenge from a new competitor, Venturer, which was quickly assembled by his enemies: Rupert (Alex Hassell), a former Olympic show jumper now working as Minister for Sport, popular TV journalist Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), and tech billionaire Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer).

The conflict between these powerful figures simply sets the scene for the truly captivating story: a world of passionate love affairs, scandalous behavior, and hidden emotions – exactly the kind of story Jilly Cooper was famous for creating.

Here’s what’s happening with the romantic relationships: Declan’s daughter, Taggie, is in love with Rupert, and he’s starting to feel the same way, even though he’s currently dating Cameron Cook, a successful American producer. Meanwhile, Taggie is also having an intense, complicated relationship with her boss, Tony, who refuses to let her go.

Sarah Stratton (played by Emily Atack) is a TV presenter married to Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones), a member of Parliament. She’s known for having many past relationships and is currently expecting a baby.

Freddie is caught in a complicated love life. He’s married to Valerie, who’s focused on climbing the social ladder, but he’s truly in love with novelist Lizzie. Lizzie is married to James, a rather unpleasant local news anchor. James is also having an affair with Sarah, but he’s attracted to Beattie Johnson, a ruthless tabloid journalist. Viewers might remember Beattie from the first series’ infamous opening scene – she was the woman having a passionate encounter with Rupert on a Concorde airplane.

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone! The second season of Rivals is another wild ride filled with drama, entertainment, political intrigue, and high-society events.

Everything is over-the-top at Freddie and Val’s new mansion, Bella Vista. The hairstyles are huge, the suit stripes are incredibly wide, and the sunroom is filled with bright peach drapes and light green outdoor furniture.

Trout mousse, garnished with dill and served with melba toast, remains a popular appetizer. Interestingly, a glimpse of Margaret Thatcher – shortly after her significant third election win – appears briefly, though it’s actually just a view of her hairstyle from her office at 10 Downing Street.

Disney has gone all out for the show, even convincing Chris de Burgh to perform live. David Tennant is thrilled, saying it perfectly captures the feel of the mid-1980s.

The story immediately grabs your attention with a playful and daring scene – the new characters, twins Seb and Dommie Carlisle, make a splash by diving into a pool completely nude. It’s a classic setup, reminiscent of the witty and suggestive style of the beloved Dame Jilly. And keep an eye out for the humorous moment when Declan finds himself locked out of his hotel and awkwardly tries to cover up, using a box of Crunchy Nuts as a shield.

What’s been happening? Not much with Tony Baddingham – he’s still that over-the-top villain who’d give his wife peacocks as a gift, then make car noises while imagining running them over with his flashy red Rolls-Royce. However, Rupert is different now.

In the first season, his rebellious nature was part of his appeal. Now, as he approaches forty, his past promiscuity is starting to create problems for him.

According to Alex Hassell, a major theme of the second season is Rupert grappling with his past and his choices, and ultimately, who he is as a person. He’s independent and challenges rules, but also tries to change and improve himself. While he’s not very self-reflective, he’s making an effort to understand himself better.

Oh my gosh, you really see it this season, don’t you? It’s all about how he… connects with people. And it’s not just how he connects, it’s the intimacy – the physical stuff. It’s like, his relationships, even the casual ones, show everything that’s going on with him internally. He’s changing, but he’s still him, you know? And when he’s not with anyone, or when things get tough, he just… hides. He masks everything with cigarettes and alcohol. It’s heartbreaking, honestly, but so brilliantly portrayed. It’s all right there if you just look.

He manages to focus on leading his polo team, The Jones Jets, to win the prestigious Rutshire Cup, a key event in Dame Jilly’s charming fictional world. This victory kicks off the new series with a vibrant and detailed depiction of England as imagined by the author – think quirky dog names like David Bow-Wowie, lavish picnics, and plenty of festive decorations, all alongside exciting polo matches and their enthusiastic fans, playfully known as the Stick Chicks.

The upcoming competition between Corinium and Venturer promises a classic underdog story, but it’s the charming, nostalgic imagery – like dandelion seeds floating in the morning dew – that really captures the heart, reminding us of simpler times. And let’s not forget the entertainment of watching Valerie, ever the social climber, make a faux pas by wearing heels to the match and getting stuck in the mud!

Filming the polo scene took several days and required a custom-built field at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Professional players from the Beaufort Polo Team taught actors Alex Hassell and Danny Dyer the basics so they could realistically portray a couple of polo matches. Danny Dyer confessed, ‘When I read the script, I was worried about learning to play!’ However, he took the challenge seriously, having around six or seven lessons. The director wanted his character to be a believable, though not necessarily skilled, polo enthusiast – the team’s patron.

I remember the first time I tried horseback riding – it was while playing polo, which meant steering with one hand and swinging a mallet with the other, and it was surprisingly hard! They offered me a much easier option – riding a fake horse pulled by an ATV – but I was too embarrassed to use it. I’d rather have risked falling off a real horse! Now, after years of pretending, I can actually ride!

The experienced actor, usually known for playing tough characters, found that the role of gentle Freddie really resonated with audiences. Danny explains that both viewers and critics were pleasantly surprised to see him play such a sweet, romantic character. Lizzie, a kind, intelligent character who serves as the show’s moral center, deserved a great love story, and the pairing of Freddie and Lizzie was always likely to be popular.

His feelings for Lizzie are a central, but complex, part of the story. Last season hinted at a romance, culminating in a significant moment. This season explores the difficulties of a passionate connection between two people who are already married and have families. It’s unusual, but many viewers are surprisingly hoping they’ll pursue a relationship despite the circumstances.

Oh my gosh, Lizzie was at it again, you guys! Sitting in her garden room, totally lost in her new book. It’s so Lizzie, always thinking about how real life isn’t all sunshine and roses. She was typing this amazing line about how even love can bring conflict, and how everyone gets hurt somehow… but honestly? All I could think about was the drama in her book! That epic feud between Corinium and Venturer, all stirred up by Tony Baddingham? That’s the real war right now, at least in my head! It’s so intense, I can’t wait to see what happens!

David Tennant describes a head injury his character sustained in the season one finale – Cameron hit him with a TV award, causing a significant wound. According to Tennant, this incident fuels his character’s ambition and ruthlessness, making him even more determined to win at any cost. It’s suggested that this event has also destabilized him, perhaps revealing he never had a strong moral compass to begin with.

Even with some difficult moments throughout the 12 episodes, the show still has the same clever humor and playful spirit that made it so popular in 2024.

Danny Dyer explains that what’s great about the show ‘Rivals’ is its honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the explicit content in Jilly Cooper’s books or the wild nature of the 1980s – including things like widespread smoking, strong language, sexual themes, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ characters. The show explores all of these aspects openly.

He’s absolutely correct. Both seasons brilliantly recreate the atmosphere of the 1980s, with incredible attention to detail – even including vintage carbon paper credit card machines at Bar Sinister, a popular spot in Rutshire.

Production designer Dominic Hyman says viewers connected with the show’s nostalgic details – things like old tube TVs, VCRs, Walkmans, and patterned cushions – because they reminded people of a recent past that still feels familiar. The response was so positive that some viewers even offered their classic 80s cars to be used in the second season.

As a lifestyle curator, I’m all about setting the mood, and the show really nails it with its 80s soundtrack! It’s not just background music – it’s a character in itself. Think about it: Bananarama’s ‘Venus’ pumping while Paul Stratton has his little shower dance, Bucks Fizz getting everyone energized as they head to the polls, and even Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ perfectly underscoring Tony’s ruthless ambition. It’s one iconic 80s hit after another, and it just works.

As someone who’s followed Jilly Cooper’s work for years, I can just feel her influence on the recent ‘Rivals’ adaptation – and it’s wonderful! David Tennant, who’s fantastic in it, put it perfectly: Jilly was the heart and soul of that world she created. You instantly know when a scene truly captures her spirit – that unique blend of characters and drama. It just feels right, like stepping back into one of her novels, and that’s a real testament to her incredible legacy.

The first episode of the new season ends with a tribute to her: a classic black-and-white photo from her youth, showing her with beautiful, tousled hair and a striking look. It feels like a fitting way to remember her, and I’m sure she would have appreciated it.

Rivals Season 2 starts on May 15 on Disney+.

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2026-05-01 14:09