The gloves are off and the shoulder pads are bigger than ever. ShowtimeSpot has your exclusive first look at the sizzling new trailer for the second season of the hit period drama Rivals, and it promises to deliver even more of the cutthroat competition and salacious secrets that made the first season a must-watch.
Returning to the glamorous yet grimy world of 1980s British television, the series sees the return of David Tennant as the spiteful media mogul Tony, Lord Baddingham, and Alex Hassell as his womanizing arch-nemesis, ex-Olympian Rupert Campbell-Black. This season, their bitter feud over control of the local airwaves gets a major shakeup with the arrival of two formidable new players: Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett.
New Faces, Fresh Scandals
The newly released preview throws viewers right back into the turmoil of the fictional county of Rutshire. For Rupert Campbell-Black, the battle takes an intensely personal turn with the return of his ex-wife, Helen Gordon (Atwell), who is also the mother of his children. Complicating matters further, she arrives with her new husband, Malise (Everett), who happens to be Rupert's former coach and mentor from his show-jumping days. It's a dynamic ripe for explosive confrontation.
Meanwhile, Lord Baddingham isn't faring much better. The trailer hints that he's facing threats from all sides, with enemies both within his own Corinium television station and beyond its walls. The stage is set for a brutal battle of egos and influence, where every alliance is fragile and every secret is a weapon.
What You Need to Know
For those who need a refresher, the first season of Rivals introduced us to a world of power, infidelity, and ruthless ambition. Adapted from the late Jilly Cooper's beloved novel, the series followed Baddingham's attempt to control the local media landscape, only to be challenged by a rival consortium led by Campbell-Black. The plot was a tangled web of sordid affairs, dangerous crushes, and professional betrayals, all set against the backdrop of the extravagant 1980s.
The show was a critical darling, earning a stellar 95% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and praised as a lavish and addictive treat. It perfectly captured the era's excess and the high stakes of personal and professional warfare.
If you're craving more gripping, character-driven drama after this, you might want to check out our list of the 10 Netflix Thriller Series That Deliver Edge-of-Your-Seat Perfection. For another story about a perfect storm of talent, don't miss our feature on why 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' Still Defines the Perfect Adventure Movie 45 Years Later.
Mark Your Calendars
The wait for more decadent drama is almost over. Rivals Season 2 is set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ on May 15. Based on the tension and new conflicts teased in the trailer, fans can expect a season that doubles down on everything they loved about the first: sharp writing, powerhouse performances, and a deliciously messy plot that proves that in Rutshire, the only thing more dangerous than a business rival is a scorned lover.
Will Lord Baddingham maintain his grip on power? Can Rupert Campbell-Black navigate the emotional minefield of his ex-wife's return? The new trailer suggests the battle for Rutshire is about to get even dirtier, and we can't wait to watch it all unfold.
