The second series of Rivals has launched on Disney+, and viewers are clamouring for details about the programme's breathtaking filming locations.
Series 2 returns us to the picturesque Cotswolds setting of Rutshire, where the lives of its affluent inhabitants are far from peaceful. The synopsis from Disney reads: "The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase. 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 hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos. Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?"
Where is Rivals season 2 filmed?
Bristol
Sarah Stratton actress Emily Atack, who stars in Rivals, previously shared an Instagram snap of the cast shooting in Bristol, reports Bristol Live. This confirms the beloved South West location will feature once more as a setting for the successful Disney Plus series. Two legendary Bristol venues — The Cosy Club Bristol and the Harbour Hotel located on Corn Street — have apparently featured during filming for the second season.
Gloucestershire
Former EastEnders star Danny Dyer, portraying Freddie Jones in Rivals, was previously seen with Alex Hassell, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black, as they shot sequences at Berkeley's Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire. Polo features prominently in the late Dame Jilly Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles, which forms the basis for Rivals. Furthermore, enthusiasts have noticed production occurring at Gloucestershire's magnificent Berkeley Castle and the surrounding area.
Wiltshire
Sharp-eyed Rivals viewers also caught Doctor Who star David Tennant filming alongside Claire Rushbrook, portraying Lord and Lady Baddingham respectively, in a tranquil Wiltshire town. The pair were observed on Corsham's high street, which had been recreated as a 1980s Cotswolds town, with shop facades altered to mirror the period.
The first three episodes of Rivals season 2 are now available to watch on Disney+, with additional episodes dropping weekly.
