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 male contestants without shirts on in the new season of Rivals?

Start the timer for ten minutes into the first episode—you’re about to meet the Heavenly Twins, two handsome blonde brothers who are skilled polo players.

Does the new series feature a scene as memorable as Rupert Campbell-Black’s nude tennis match in the first season? It’s hard to say, but there’s a similar moment: a couple completely undressed, yelling before jumping into a pool.

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.

The year is 1987, and like the first season, the story revolves around the intense competition between television networks for ratings and viewers.

Tony Baddingham, Lord Baddingham (played by David Tennant), runs the powerful Corinium organization. He’s facing a challenge from Venturer, a newly formed group created by his competitor, Rupert (Alex Hassell), a former Olympic show jumper now serving as Minister for Sport. Venturer also includes star TV journalist Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) and tech billionaire Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer).

The conflict between these powerful figures is just a backdrop for the truly captivating story: a tangled web of love, desire, scandalous behavior, and hidden emotions – exactly the kind of story Jilly Cooper was famous for.

Here’s what’s happening with the romantic entanglements: Declan’s daughter, Taggie, is falling for Rupert, even though he’s currently dating Cameron Cook, a successful American producer. Adding to the drama, Taggie is also having a passionate, but complicated, on-again, off-again relationship with her boss, Tony, who is determined to keep her in his life.

Sarah Stratton (played by Emily Atack), who hosts a show called Corinium and is married to politician Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones), has a complicated past with many romantic partners. She’s now expecting a baby and believes Tony is the father.

She playfully asks him if he remembers the day she started working at Corinium and how they celebrated with a two-course dinner at the Bear in Bisley, adding that she had dessert. He responds coolly, as if negotiating a business deal, suggesting that unless their child is born with a cigar, she can’t prove he’s the father.

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

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 curtains and light green outdoor furniture.

I remember when trout mousse was the thing to serve as a starter – so elegant with a little dill and some melba toast! And I’ll never forget seeing a photo from around that time, right after Mrs. Thatcher won her third election. It wasn’t actually her in the picture, but a close-up of her famous hairstyle, taken right from her office at Number 10. It was such a quirky, memorable moment!

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

The story immediately grabs your attention with a daring scene involving the new characters, Seb and Dommie Carlisle, and sets the stage for a playfully suggestive and humorous adventure, much like the work of the late Dame Jilly. There’s also a funny moment where Declan finds himself in an awkward situation, accidentally revealing a bit too much while locked out of his hotel room.

Okay, so let me tell you, Tony Baddingham is still Tony Baddingham. Honestly, it’s amazing. The man is just… consistently evil! Like, he gets his wife peacocks for their anniversary – PEACOCKS! – and then makes engine noises at them like he’s planning to run them over with his ridiculous, massive red Roller. It’s perfect! But Rupert… Rupert’s different now. Something’s definitely changed with Rupert.

In the first season, his rebellious nature was part of his appeal. Now, he’s facing real consequences as his past catches up with him as he approaches his 40th birthday. As Beattie Johnson powerfully points out on television right before the election, he’s a complex figure – a talented performer, but also someone who’s deceived people.

Alex Hassell explains that much of the second season focuses on Rupert grappling with his past and the consequences of his choices. He’s a fiercely independent and rebellious character who often clashes with authority, but he’s also trying to change and understand himself better, even though he’s not always very self-aware.

As you might anticipate from a character known for romantic pursuits, his emotional journey is revealed through his intimate relationships. Sex, and how it evolves—or doesn’t—is a key element. His connections with others, whether he’s choosing to abstain or exploring monogamy, and his relationship with his own body and those around him, all speak volumes. This season, there’s a lot of emotional repression, and he uses things like cigarettes and alcohol to mask his true feelings.

He manages to set aside his personal troubles and successfully leads his polo team, The Jones Jets, to win the prestigious Rutshire Cup, a major event in Dame Jilly’s fictional world. This victory kicks off the new series with a vibrant and detailed portrayal of England as imagined by the author, complete with quirky details like dogs with unusual names, elaborate picnics, and plenty of festive decorations. Of course, there are also the exciting polo matches themselves, featuring shirtless players and their enthusiastic female fans, playfully nicknamed the ‘Stick Chicks’.

The upcoming competition between Corinium and Venturer promises an exciting clash, but the show also beautifully captures a feeling of wistful nostalgia – think of carefree summer days before everyone had smartphones. And it’s always entertaining to watch Valerie, who’s still determined to climb the social ladder, make a faux pas by wearing high heels to the game and getting stuck in the mud!

Filming the polo scene took several days and required a custom-built field at Berkeley Castle, a historic landmark in Gloucestershire. Professional players from the Beaufort Polo Team trained Alex Hassell and Danny Dyer to look convincing while playing a few rounds. Danny Dyer confessed, ‘When I read the script, I was worried about learning to play!’ He explained that while his character wasn’t supposed to be a skilled player, he took the lessons very seriously and had around six or seven sessions to prepare.

I remember the first time I tried horseback riding – it was while learning to play polo, which is surprisingly hard when you’re trying to steer with one hand and swing a mallet with the other! They offered me the option of practicing on a mechanical horse pulled by a quad bike, but I was too embarrassed to use it – I’d rather have risked falling off a real horse. After years of pretending, I can finally say I actually can ride a horse!

The actor, usually known for playing tough characters on TV and in films, has found surprising success with the more sensitive role of Freddie. Danny explains that Freddie really connected with viewers and critics alike. Many people were surprised to see him play a romantic supporting character. His character, Freddie, falling for Lizzie – who is kind, smart, and essentially the show’s guiding light – was always going to be a popular storyline.

His feelings for Lizzie are really complex throughout the show. The last season hinted at a romance, building towards a significant moment at the end. Now, this season explores the difficulties of two people deeply in love, but who are both married with families. It’s unusual, but many viewers are actually hoping they’ll have an affair.

Lizzie was busy writing her new novel in her garden, and she understood that true happiness is never guaranteed. She typed, ‘Love can bring conflict, and every conflict has losses…’ But at the moment, the most intense struggle wasn’t about romance – it was the battle between Corinium and Venturer, fueled by Tony Baddingham.

David Tennant explains his character suffered a head injury – recalling the season one finale where he was hit with a TV award, resulting in a bloody scene. This event, he says, fuels his character’s drive to win at all costs, making him even more ruthless and unpredictable. It’s suggested this character never really had any moral boundaries to begin with.

In the first episode of the new series, he tells his head of security to find someone – using harsh language – because he doesn’t want to lose either the team or Cameron to RCB.

He finds her hiding by the sea with Rupert, arriving dramatically by helicopter. Without missing a beat, he says, ‘Sorry I’m late, I had a terrible headache,’ and leads her back to the helicopter.

Even during its darker moments, this 12-episode season still delivers the same clever humor and playful spirit that made the show so popular in 2024.

Danny Dyer explains that the appeal of ‘Rivals’ lies in its honesty. The show doesn’t shy away from the explicit content in Jilly Cooper’s books or the wild, unapologetic nature of the 1980s – including the smoking, strong language, sexual themes, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ characters. It fully explores all of these elements.

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

Production designer Dominic Hyman says the show’s use of nostalgic details – like big old TVs, VHS players, Walkmans, and patterned cushions – really resonated with viewers, reminding them of a recent past. Many were so touched by the show’s atmosphere that they even offered their classic 80s cars for use in the second season.

The show’s soundtrack is filled with nostalgic 80s hits that enhance the emotional impact of each scene. From Bananarama’s “Venus” accompanying a lighthearted shower dance, to Bucks Fizz’s “Making Your Mind Up” during a bustling election, and Joy Division’s melancholic “Love Will Tear Us Apart” underscoring a dramatic confrontation, the music perfectly complements the action.

Dame Jilly Cooper, who passed away last October at 88, would have been thrilled with this, according to David Tennant. He describes her as a master of the genre, explaining that her distinctive style and the characters she created are what make the work special. ‘You just know when you’ve captured her essence,’ he says, ‘when it truly feels like one of her stories.’

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 something she would have appreciated.

Rivals Season 2 starts on May 15 on Disney+.

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2026-05-01 03:41