Disney+ has dropped a first look trailer for the hotly-anticipated second season of hit series Rivals – and confirmed the date fans will be able to stream the new episodes.
The trailer showcases the five main characters, including David Tennant’s Lord Tony Baddingham, the ruthless managing director of television company Corinium – and Emily Atack‘s rising TV star Sarah Stratton.
Then there’s antagonist and long-standing enemy of Baddingham, Rupert Campbell-Black, played by The Tragedy Of Macbeth’s Alex Hassell, a retired Olympic show-jumper, now a Tory MP.
Declan O’Hara, played by Poldark’s Aidan Turner, the ex-BBC journalist who got recruited to Corinium, and Black Lighting’s Nafessa Williams’ Cameron Cook, an American TV-producer, also return.
The main line-up is completed by Sex Education’s Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara.
In the final episode of series one, Lord Baddingham was left for dead after being struck on the head with a trophy during an explosive confrontation with Cameron.
Emily Atack’s character Sarah Stratton seems to have her career going from strength to strength hosting a shiny new show
Disney+ has dropped a first look trailer for its hotly anticipated second season of hit series Rivals – confirming the date fans will be able to stream the new episodes
Bella Maclean’s Taggie gets an eye full at a boozy pool party during the saucy trailer
But the trailer has confirmed he’s alive and well, making his return in a shiny helicopter scene, suffering ‘a headache’ and back ‘at war’ with his TV rival Rupert.
The synopsis teases: ‘The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a 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?’
‘The naughtiest show on television returns,’ Disney+ added under the trailer, confirming its release date for May 15.
Aside from Lord Baddingham’s return, the trailer also features a string of steamy scenes – including a shower romp for Aidan’s Declan O’Hara and his on-screen wife.
The trailer also features a string of steamy scenes – including a shower romp for Aidan’s Declan O’Hara and his on-screen wife
One steamy close-up showcases a character wearing tight-fitting speedos at a pool party
Emily’s Sarah has a sparkling new show in the trailer of the second sereis
Katherine Parkinson’s Lizzie Vereker looks to be growing ever close to Danny Dyer’s Freddie Jones after the pair, despite being married to other people, shared an on-screen romp last season.
And Bella Maclean’s Taggie gets an eye full at a boozy pool party, checking out a chiselled as he steps out the pool in a pair of tight-fitting speedos, despite romancing Alex’s Rupert Campbell-Black.
Elsewhere, Emily Atack’s character Sarah Stratton seems to have her career going from strength to strength hosting a shiny new show.
It comes filming of the new series of Rivals was reportedly thrown into the chaos by a boisterous piglet.
Producers for the Disney+ show thought it would be amusing to introduce the pig as an ‘accessory’ in one scene, putting a bow tie around its neck and having one of the actor’s carry it in their arms.
But the piglet is said to have defecated on some of the actor’s clothes and screeched so much it ruined some scenes.
Those on set suspected the pig may have been ‘triggered’ by the unfamiliar surroundings but some of actors – particularly Danny Dyer – were said to have taken pity on the swine.
A source told The Sun: ‘There is one scene where it has to get chased around a courtyard, which took several takes.
Danny Dyer’s Freddie still has eyes for lover Lizzie in the first look
Katherine Parkinson’s Lizzie Vereker looks to be growing ever close to Danny Dyer’s Freddie Jones
Taggie and Rupert appear to be upping the ante with a romance
‘Some were suggested it was exhausted but the director wanted to keep going to get the shots they needed.
‘Danny in particular felt sorry for Leftie and tried to calm it down with a little hug – which was brave of him as he was wearing a white shirt and dickie bow at the time.’
A Happy Prince Spokesperson said: ‘The health, safety and welfare of animals on set is of paramount importance.
‘Happy Prince complies with all relevant animal welfare laws and regulations and maintains exemplary production practices’.
‘An American Humane representative was on set overseeing animal welfare, for all scenes involving animals’.
Last year, Disney+ confirmed that Rivals will return for a second series after its huge success last year – and they have treated fans to an extra four episodes.
The first series, which was eight episodes, became a huge hit and ended on a huge cliffhanger after David Tennant’s character Lord Tony Baddingham was left for dead.2 new episodes.
Rivals fans previously begged Disney+ for a second series of the saucy show after binge watching all its eight episodes in a matter of days but were forced to wait months until the news was officially confirmed.
Author Jilly visited the set of Rivals just two days before her ‘sudden’ death, star Alex has revealed.
Dame Jilly died on October 5 aged 88, following a fall at her home in Bisley, Gloucestershire after the second season of Rivals had begun production.
Rivals will return to Disney+ on May 15
