New Additions to the Cast
Disney+ has reached the midpoint of filming for Season 2 of Rivals, the adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel, and has announced two notable guest cast members. Hayley Atwell, known for her role in Mission: Impossible, will portray Helen Gordon, the former wife of Alex Hassell’s character, Rupert Campbell-Black, and the mother of his children, Marcus and Tabitha.
Rupert Everett, famous for his role in My Best Friend’s Wedding, will take on the role of Malise Gordon, Helen’s husband and Campbell-Black’s previous show-jumping coach and mentor.
Insights from Production
The announcement was made by showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins during the Edinburgh TV Festival. He revealed that the second season will consist of an extended 12 episodes, with six already completed.
Additional cast members include Maxim Ays, Holly Cattle, Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt, and Jonny Weldon.
Treadwell-Collins expressed a desire to explore the complexities of Campbell-Black’s character further in Season 2 and mentioned that the theme of polo would take on a more significant role this time. However, he remained tight-lipped about specific plot details, describing the series as a “beast.”
Reflecting on Season 1
Much of the discussion at the Edinburgh session revolved around the initial season, which captured the attention of audiences across the UK upon its debut last year, particularly for its bold presentation of sexuality and nudity.
Hassell and Emily Atack recounted the experience of filming their infamous nude tennis scene in Episode 1, where Atack sported a “stick-on muff,” while Hassell opted against wearing a prosthetic penis, explaining that having a “massive wanger” might have distracted from his character’s romantic encounter with Taggie O’Hara, played by Bella Maclean.
Lee Mason, Disney’s executive director of scripted originals in Europe, revealed the careful considerations behind each risqué scene in Rivals, noting that extensive discussions took place to ensure the nudity fit the drama’s overall tone.
Mason also highlighted the show’s success as a valuable showcase for Disney+: “It’s been really good at sort of sticking the flag in the ground and just letting people know absolutely that there’s a range of programming available,” he stated.
Setting the Scene
Set against the picturesque Cotswolds countryside and the opulent, high-stakes environment of 1980s British television, Rivals is based on Cooper’s novel, which forms a part of her bestselling Rutshire Chronicles series. The show is produced by Happy Prince, backed by ITV Studios.
