Hayley Atwell, Rupert Everett and More Join 'Rivals' Season 2 Cast

Filming is currently taking place on the highly anticipated second season of Hulu's Rivals, the addictive soap based on the popular Rutshire Chronicles novels by Dame Jilly Cooper. The throwback-style 1980s drama was so successful in its first outing that Season 2 landed an additional four-episode order, making it clear that the show's going to continue to expand its world and story in its sophomore outing, adding multiple new faces to the series' roster, many of which will be very familiar to Anglophiles. 

The series ostensibly follows the titular rivalry between former Olympian turned Tory politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and ambitious television executive Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant). But the series ultimately took some liberties with its source material, fleshing out multiple secondary characters and adding some unexpected narrative swerves along the way. Its first season ended with drama of the professional, journalistic, and romantic variety, and leaves plenty of intriguing questions for its second to deal with (and which I will not spoil for you here). 

Hayley Atwell (Heartstopper) has been tapped to take over the role of Helen Gordon, Rupert's ex-wife and the mother of his two children, Marcus and Tabitha. Rupert Everett (The Serpent Queen) will play her husband, Malise Gordon, who also happens to be Rupert's former show-jumping coach and mentor. Never let it be said that relationships in Rutshire aren't messy as hell. 

Here's the Season 2 synopsis. 

Set against the backdrop of the stunning Cotswolds countryside and the glamorous, high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the second instalment will see the return of the all-star cast that won the hearts of fans and critics alike as well as introducing brand new faces. 

Careers, marriages, and reputations hang in the balance as personal and professional lives collide in a world where secrets can’t stay hidden for long. Bold, emotionally charged, and filled with unforgettable moments, “Rivals” is a thrilling ride through a landscape of breathtaking beauty, fierce competition, and life-changing decisions—where the cost of success could be everything

Alongside Tennant and Hassell, the main cast from Season 1 are all reprising their roles. Aidan Turner (Poldark) is news journalist Declan O’Hara, with Victoria Smurfit (Bloodlands) as his wife, Maude, Bella Maclean (Sex Education) as their eldest daughter, Taggie, and Catriona Chandler (Pistol) as their younger daughter, Caitlin. Claire Rushbrook (Sherwood) plays Lord Tony’s wife, Monica, with Luca Pasqualino as his younger Bail 'Bas' Baddingham. Katherine Parkinson (Doc Martin) plays romance novelist Lizzie Vereker, with Oliver Chris (My Lady Jane) as her husband Paul, Danny Dyer (Henpocalypse!) as wealthy tech entrepreneur Freddie Jones, and Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning) as American TV producer Cameron Cook. 

In addition to Atwell and Everett, other new talent joining the series ensemble includes Maxim Ays (Boarders), Holly Cattle (COBRA), Oliver Dench (Hotel Portofino), Amanda Lawrence (The Change), Bobby Lockwood (The Tower), Eliot Salt (Slow Horses), and Jonny Weldon (One Day).

“Rivals is a landmark series for Disney+, quickly becoming one of our most beloved British U.K. original dramas,” said Lee Mason, executive director of Scripted Originals, EMEA Disney+. “I’m delighted to welcome Hayley and Rupert to our extraordinary family of actors. They are a perfect match for the world of Rutshire, so lovingly created by Dame Jilly and the team at Happy Prince.”

Season 2 is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (A Very English Scandal), Laura Wade (The Riot Club), Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Kefi Chadwick, Mimi Hare, Clare Namylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh, and Dare Aiyegbayo, with Elliot Hegarty (Ted Lasso), Jamie J. Johnson, and Dee Koppang O'Leary directing. Executive producers include Treadwell-Collins, Wade, Cooper, and Felicity Blunt, along with Jonny Richards for Disney+ EMEA Scripted Content. Eliza Mellor (The Midwich Cuckoos) is series producer. 

Production on Rivals Season 2 continues in the Cotswolds. Season 1 is currently available to stream on Hulu.