For those who've been craving more tales of wealthy misbehavior since Succession ended, the wait is almost over. Rivals, the saucy, sharp-witted drama that's been hailed as the perfect spiritual successor to HBO's hit, is set to return for the second half of its sophomore season on Hulu and Disney+ in just a few weeks.
Based on Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel and drawing from her broader Rutshire Chronicles series, Rivals plunges viewers back into the hedonistic world of 1980s Cotswolds, where rival TV production companies battle for a local franchise. The incumbent, Corinium, is led by the deliciously villainous Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), while the upstart Venturer is spearheaded by journalist Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner), former Olympian Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), and tech entrepreneur Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer). Their professional rivalry quickly becomes personal, with vendettas and moral debates playing out both on and off the air.
The show's appeal lies in its unapologetic exploration of the rich and powerful, much like Succession. It's a world of crumbling marriages, secret affairs, and a fan-favorite age-gap romance, all set against the backdrop of big hair, synth-pop, and political upheaval. The ensemble cast is a who's who of British talent, including Bella Maclean, Nafessa Williams, Katherine Parkinson, and Victoria Smurfit, with Season 2 adding Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett as Rupert's ex-wife and her new husband.
Tennant's Tony Baddingham is a masterclass in channeling Logan Roy. Both men clawed their way to the top, and both prioritize their companies over everything—including family. Tony's moral compass, already shaky, takes a nosedive after the Great Storm of 1987, which the show cleverly weaves into its midseason finale. As executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins teased, "We thought Tony was bad before. He gets worse, and that ups the stakes for the show."
Fans needn't worry about the series ending anytime soon. Disney+ renewed Rivals for a third season just days after the midseason finale, promising even higher stakes, more fragile alliances, and shocking secrets. The renewal news came as no surprise to those who've been following the show's growing popularity, especially among Succession fans looking for their next fix.
The first half of Season 2 aired from May through June, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger. Now, after a five-month wait, the remaining six episodes will drop on November 11, 2026. For those who haven't yet dived in, there are only 14 episodes to binge before the return—a manageable task for a show that moves at a brisk, soapy pace.
If you're a fan of Succession's media politics, familial backstabbing, and sardonic humor, Rivals is the logical next step. It's a show that understands the allure of power and the messiness of human desire, wrapped in a glossy, period-perfect package. And with a third season already confirmed, there's plenty more drama on the horizon.
For more recommendations on what to watch next, check out our list of Netflix's perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes shows or explore top fantasy TV shows with perfect scores. And if you're in the mood for a different kind of drama, The Rainmaker's streaming surge might just be your next binge.
