Great news for fans of the hit series Rivals: Hulu has officially ordered a third season, with 12 more episodes on the way. Based on Jilly Cooper's beloved Rutshire Chronicles, the show has already started weaving in characters from later books in Season 2. With so much rich material to draw from, we've got our eyes on nine characters from Cooper's universe who would be perfect additions to Season 3.
Jake Lovell
We've met Helen (Hayley Atwell) and Malise (Rupert Everett), but Jake Lovell is the missing piece from Riders. His affair with Helen during the Olympics shattered Rupert's (Alex Hassell) marriage and set off a chain reaction that echoes through later books. A flashback or even a mention could set up compelling future storylines.
Roberto Rannaldini
Think Tony Baddingham is bad? Meet Roberto Rannaldini—arrogant, possessive, and one of Cooper's most sinister creations. He's the primary antagonist in three novels, and with David Hawkley arriving, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous seems ripe for adaptation. That said, the show might wisely tone down his vilest acts.
Billy Lloyd-Foxe
Before Taggie (Bella Maclean), Rupert's soulmate was Billy, his loyal showjumper best friend. Rivals has skipped him so far, but his appearance at Rupert's wedding in Polo could be a great payoff. Plus, Billy's wife Janey is a journalist who could shake things up at Corinium.
Kitty Rannaldini
Kitty, Rannaldini's third wife, is a live-in assistant who's constantly underestimated. Her eventual escape and true love story is one of the most heart-pounding arcs in the series. After Rupert and Taggie's happy ending, Kitty's journey would be a welcome focus.
Angel Solis de Gonzalez
With Alejandro Mendoza (Santiago Cabrera) and Perdita (Holly Cattle) already in the mix, Angel is a natural addition. His tragic past—losing his brother in the Falklands War—fuels a revenge story that rivals Inigo Montoya's. His platonic bond with Perdita is surprisingly heartfelt.
These are just a few of the characters we're hoping to see. For more on what makes a story perfect, check out our list of Forgotten Time Travel Movies That Are Perfect From Start to Finish. And if you're into near-perfect gems, don't miss HBO's Near-Perfect Gems: 9 Shows That Almost Hit the Mark.
What other characters would you like to see in Season 3? Let us know in the comments!
