The highly anticipated second season of Rivals, dubbed the 'naughtiest show on television', is set to return to screens in mere months, promising another dose of drama and debauchery. A new trailer has confirmed that the saucy adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's novel will premiere on Disney Plus on May 15, 2026, continuing the glamorous and scandalous story set in the 1980s.
What to Expect in Season 2
The sophomore season picks up where the first left off, adapting the latter half of Cooper's twisty tome. Viewers will be plunged into the opulent world of polo, the fierce battle for the South West television station franchise, and a web of extramarital entanglements that promises to be even more complex and thrilling.
As Emily Atack's character Sarah Stratton purrs in the teaser, 'Welcome to the naughtiest show on television,' the trailer showcases a montage of shower sex, champagne popping, and lavish pool parties, setting the tone for the hedonistic excess to come.
Star-Studded Cast and New Additions
Rivals boasts an impressive ensemble of British acting talent, including David Tennant as Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, and Danny Dyer. New additions to the cast include Hayley Atwell, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black's ex-wife, and Rupert Everett, perfectly cast as her husband.
In one gripping scene, David Tennant's Tony Baddingham declares, 'We are at war!' as the conflict with Venturer reaches a fever pitch, highlighting the ruthless power struggles at the heart of the series.
Plot Teasers and Release Details
The official synopsis teases a season of chaos and ambition: 'More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham 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 80s excess, personal lives spiral out of control. Marriages fracture under ambition, illicit affairs threaten families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. Loyalties are tested, and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory, raising the question: 'What is the true cost of war?'
Season 2 will be released in two batches of six episodes each. The first batch debuts on May 15 with a three-episode premiere, followed by weekly releases for the remaining three episodes. The second batch is scheduled for later in 2026, though an exact date has not yet been confirmed.
Fans of the show can look forward to more of the chocolate box assortment of drama, romance, and scandal that made the first season a hit, all set against the backdrop of 1980s glamour and excess.
