Disney Hints at Second Season of Hit TV Show ‘Rivals’

Disney has dropped a significant hint that the popular TV series ‘Rivals‘ may be returning for a second season. The show, an adaptation of Jilly Cooper‘s novel, has been a massive hit on Disney Plus since its release on October 18, 2024. Starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Katherine Parkinson, and Danny Dyer, ‘Rivals’ follows the eccentric lives of characters in the fictional UK county of Rutshire in the 1980s.

The series has garnered widespread attention for its captivating portrayal of the “country set” and its cliffhanger finale, which has left audiences eager for more. Liam Keelan, Disney’s senior vice-president of original content for Europe and Africa, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the show, stating that “everyone’s talking about it” and hinting at the possibility of a second series.

Jilly Cooper, the author of the novel, has also praised the adaptation, describing it as “heavenly.” Given the success of ‘Rivals,’ it is likely that Disney will consider adapting more of Cooper’s works from the Rutshire Chronicles series, which includes 11 books. The next book in the series after ‘Rivals’ is ‘Polo,’ with the latest installment being ‘Tackle,’ published in 2023.

The show has been praised for its accurate capture of the 1980s setting and the spirit of its characters, despite some physical discrepancies between the actors and their book counterparts. Aidan Turner, who plays Declan O'Hara, has also discussed the experience of filming the show’s raunchy sex scenes, adding to the series’ notoriety and appeal.

‘Rivals’ is currently available on Disney Plus, and fans are eagerly awaiting any official announcement regarding a second season.