Rivals series 3: Disney+ confirms 'irresistible' return to Rutshire with 'new romances, old flames rekindled and spilled secrets'
"Expect more ambition, more romance, more rivalries and, of course, more scandal"
Rivals has been commissioned for a series 3, Disney+ has confirmed, and we’re not at ALL surprised. After all, it’s easily one of the best shows on TV right now.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is all about sex, innuendo, and smouldering looks. Episode 6 of series 2 delivered one of the best hours of TV we’ve seen in a long time. Beautifully written, empowering, heartbreakingly real, and surprisingly tender, it deserves ALL the awards.
The announcement from Disney+ tells us: “Triumphant and tantalising hit drama Rivals green-lit for a series 3 on Disney+.”
Here’s everything you need to know.
Is there a series 3 of Rivals?
Rivals season 2 became the biggest ever original premiere for Disney+ in the UK and Ireland. So nobody should be surprised that a series 3 has been commissioned.
Disney+ has now announced that the critically-acclaimed series has been green-lit for a third season. And the good news is that it will be 12 episodes. This follows series 2 which is also an extended run, consisting of two lots of six episodes. The first six arrived in May, with the second batch landing in November. Series 3 will most likely follow the same pattern.
Series 3, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s iconic Rutshire Chronicles novels, will “see the stakes become higher”.
What happens in the new season?
A synopsis for the new series tells us: “As the dust settles post the scandalous revelations in series 2, we see the stakes become higher and the alliances more fragile, with nothing staying buried for long. New romances blossom, old flames rekindle and shocking secrets will be spilled in this third series. It will take everyone’s favourite rivalries to the next level. In a world of power, passion and betrayal, everyone has something to lose.”
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Lee Mason, Vice-President, Scripted, Disney+ EMEA, commented: “Expect more ambition, more romance, more rivalries and, of course, more scandal as we return to Rutshire for another irresistible chapter.”
‘Our one sadness is that Jilly didn’t get to witness the love for series 2’
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Chief Creative Officer of Happy Prince, added: “We’ve been delighted and overwhelmed by the audience’s response to season two of Rivals. Our one sadness is that [writer] Jilly Cooper didn’t get to witness the love for season two.
“But she’s still very much with us in sprit. And she would be so delighted that season three has been green lit. We’re so thrilled to continue to work with Disney as we dive deeper into the Rutshire Chronicles and expand the Cooperverse even further.”
When will Rivals series 2 return?
Disney+ has now confirmed that the hit series Rivals will return with six new episodes in November. Following the shocking turn of events in the sixth episode, the residents of Rutshire are “rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point”.
An official teaser trailer for the second batch of episodes (see below) offered a glimpse of the drama still to come in series 2 – including the sad funeral of Monica.
Disney+ tell us: “As Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara’s contest for the Cotswolds crown hits a fever pitch, Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons.
“Across hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise battle, Taggie O’Hara must find the courage to follow her heart while everyone else faces the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that they can no longer hide.”
The teaser also introduces new cast member Rachael Stirling as Araminta Pemberton, who recently appeared in Believe Me. Araminta is Lady Monica Baddingham’s vampish younger sister.
The new episodes also see the introduction of Gone’s Rupert Evans as erudite headmaster David Hawkley. Lastly, Big Little Lies’ Santiago Cabrera will join the cast as Argentinian Polo legend Alejandro Mendoza.
