Rivals season 2 promises more scandal, glamour & intrigue
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
15 May 2026
Learn all about the latest season of the award-winning show, now streaming on Disney+, including the trailer, episode details and more
It seems like nobody in Rutshire has learned a thing, which is great news for Rivals fans. Tensions are higher than ever and secrets keep spilling out into the open. Watch the season 2 trailer, meet the new and returning cast, and find out how to stream. Is the fight between Corinium and Venturer coming to an end, or has it only just begun?
Watch the Rivals season 2 official trailer
Rivals season 2 is now streaming
What is Rivals season 2 about?
Following Venturer’s unexpected success in the local TV world, Lord Baddingham is more determined than ever to bring his enemies down, offering a glimpse into the murky tactics he resorts to now that the gloves are fully off. Meanwhile, the messy love lives of Rutshire’s residents are starting to cause even more problems than usual, and in this glossy 1980s world, private drama has a habit of going public.
Where can you watch Rivals season 2?
You can stream Rivals on Disney+ in the UK
Rivals season 2 release date & schedule
When did Rivals season 2 premiere?
The first episodes of the newest season premiered on 15 May 2026.
How many episodes are in Rivals season 2?
There are 12 episodes in total, split into two six-part batches. Stay tuned for the second batch, premiering later in 2026.
Cast & characters of Rivals season 2
For a list of returning and new faces, head to our Rivals season 2 cast and character guide here on Explore Disney+.
Everything you need to know about Rivals
What is Rivals about?
Set in the 1980s Cotswolds, where the local TV industry is serious business, this period drama follows a battle over a regional TV franchise that turns ugly, dragging private feuds into public view. It’s distinctly British, with ambition, illicit affairs, and forbidden love adding even more complexity to the vicious power struggle.
Is Rivals based on a book?
Yes, the show adapts Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel of the same name, part of the Rutshire Chronicles.
Is Rivals based on a true story?
No. It begins with Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel and draws inspiration from the excess of the 1980s TV world. While Rivals taps into the social climbing and boardroom spats of its setting, the on-screen events are thankfully fictional.
Where was Rivals filmed?
Production mostly took place in the leafy countryside of southwest England. The Cotswolds provided the grand houses and village streets, while Bristol, a city in the same region, was used for the urban and studio scenes. The small market town of Tetbury also appeared as the fictional Cotchester.
Who is behind Rivals?
Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios, produces the show. Executive producers include Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Laura Wade, Dame Jilly Cooper, and Jonny Richards. Episodes are directed by Elliot Hegarty, Dee Koppang O’Leary, Alexandra Brodski, and Jamie Jay Johnson.
What happened in Rivals season 1?
Spoiler alert: Read no further if you haven’t seen season 1 yet.
Tony Baddingham and Rupert Campbell-Black spent the first season clawing at each other over the Central South West TV franchise, and the feud sucked in everyone in their orbit. Declan O’Hara arrived as Tony’s star signing, then wound up joining Rupert and Freddie Jones as they launched Venturer against Corinium. In the finale, Venturer won the chance to submit a bid, Maud left for London, Taggie and Rupert finally kissed, and Cameron left Tony bleeding in his office.
Where can you watch Rivals season 1?
Stream all episodes of the first season on Disney+ in the UK.
