First Look at Rivals Season 2 Official Trailer Confirms a Dramatic Comeback

Rivals Season 2 Official Trailer

The glossy power games, scandalous romances and 80s excess of Rutshire are back — and Season 2 promises higher stakes, sharper rivalries and even more delicious drama. Fans of high-society drama can officially mark their diaries.

Rivals will return for its second season on 15th May, continuing the lavish adaptation of the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s much-loved novel. If Season 1 introduced us to Rutshire’s intoxicating blend of ambition, desire and decadence, Season 2 turns the volume all the way up.

Set against the hedonistic backdrop of 1980s Britain, the new season dives deeper into the glamorous world of polo, ruthless boardroom politics and relationships pushed to breaking point — all delivered with the sharp wit and unapologetic indulgence that made Rivals an instant hit.

What Is Rivals Season 2 About?

Season 2 sees the battle for the Central South West television franchise reach a fever pitch. The corporate war between Corinium and Venturer escalates into a far more dangerous phase, with power, reputation and personal loyalties all hanging in the balance.

At the centre of the chaos is Lord Tony Baddingham, more calculating and ruthless than ever. As scandals are weaponised and manipulation becomes second nature, the cost of ambition begins to reveal itself — not just in the boardroom, but in marriages, friendships and families that start to fracture under pressure.

While the suits sharpen their knives, the personal lives of Rutshire’s elite unravel spectacularly. Illicit affairs threaten to explode into public view, long-buried secrets resurface, and rivalries push everyone to the brink. The question at the heart of the season is a chilling one: what is the true cost of winning?

Who Is Returning to the Cast?

Much of Rivals’ appeal lies in its powerhouse cast — and Season 2 brings back all the key players fans fell for (or loved to hate).

Returning stars include David Tennant as the formidable Lord Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell as the magnetic Rupert Campbell-Black, and Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara. They’re joined once again by Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, Victoria Smurfit, Claire Rushbrook, Oliver Chris, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atackand Rufus Jones.

Which New Characters Are Joining Rivals?

Season 2 also introduces two scene-stealing new additions that are set to complicate Rupert Campbell-Black’s already turbulent world. Hayley Atwell joins the cast as Helen Gordon — Rupert’s ex-wife and the mother of his two children while Rupert Everett appears as her husband, Malise Gordon, Rupert’s former show-jumping coach and mentor. Expect emotional tension, unresolved history and plenty of elegantly delivered fireworks.

When Is Rivals Season 2 Released?

The release strategy mirrors the show’s high-drama pacing. Season 2 will arrive in two six-episode batches. The first batch launches on 15th May, opening with a three-episode premiere. The second batch will follow later in the year, giving fans time to savour every scandalous twist before the next wave of episodes lands on Disney+ in the UK.

Is There a Trailer for Rivals Season 2?

Watch Rivals Season 2 Official Trailer here

Disney+ is available from £5.99 per month – with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime. 

Want more articles like this? Sign up to the Chic Style Collective newsletter for exclusive editor’s picks, capsule wardrobe guides, and seasonal style tips straight to your inbox.