Rivals Series 2 First Look: Emily Atack Declares 'Welcome to the Naughtiest Show on Television'
The first trailer for the highly anticipated second series of Disney+'s Rivals has landed, with Emily Atack's character Sarah Stratton declaring it "the naughtiest show on television." The 80s-set bonkbuster, based on Dame Jilly Cooper's beloved novel, is set to return to screens on May 15, promising even more drama, big hair, and shoulder pads.
Surviving Villains and Cut-Throat Battles
In a surprising twist, the new clips reveal that David Tennant's villainous character, Lord Tony Baddingham, has survived the brutal blow to the head that left him in a pool of blood at the end of the first series. Stepping from a helicopter, he greets his wife Monica with the sardonic line, "Sorry I'm late darling - I've had a terrible headache." He is seen rallying his troops at Corinium Television, bellowing, "We are at war!"
The series continues the fierce battle for the Central South West television franchise. Baddingham's Corinium is locked in a ruthless rivalry with the newly formed Venturer Television, led by his arch-nemesis Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), alongside Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) and Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer).
A Bittersweet Return for the Cast
The returning cast expressed immense excitement about the show's second run, but its creation was overshadowed by profound sadness. The series' beloved author, Dame Jilly Cooper, tragically died in October 2025 following a fall, meaning she never got to see the new season come to life.
Prior to filming, Dame Jilly had declared herself "orgasmic with excitement" about the adaptation of the second half of her 1988 novel. She added, "I cannot wait for the return of my superhero Rupert Campbell-Black and the rest of the characters in season two." The cast, who had regularly been invited to her Gloucestershire home for drinks during the first series, were deeply affected by her loss.
New Alliances and Deepening Drama
The trailer hints at complex new dynamics. Surprisingly, Tony Baddingham appears to be working again with American producer Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams)—the very person who knocked him out while fending off his advances. Fans speculate she may be working undercover for Venturer.
Emily Atack returns as the ambitiously ruthless Sarah Stratton, who is sleeping her way to the top. She will be joined in at least two episodes by her real-life mother, Kate Robbins, in a guest role. Robbins previously teased, "Wait until you see the new series, it's amazing."
Viewers can expect heightened romantic entanglements, with questions lingering over Rupert and Taggie's romance, the state of Declan and Maud's marriage, and the affair between Freddie and his mistress Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson).
What to Expect from the New Series
The second series, which will be released in two six-episode batches beginning in May, promises "even more drama, wit and desire." Storylines will delve into the glamorous world of polo, feature surprising new twists, and explore deeper boardroom conflicts.
As one source revealed, the personal lives of the Rutshire set will 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?"
With its intoxicating mix of ambition, betrayal, and decadent 80s style, Rivals Series 2 is poised to be a must-watch event, continuing the legacy of Jilly Cooper's iconic storytelling.
