A New Season of Rivals is Here
Fans of the wildly popular British drama Rivals have some exciting news to celebrate. The show, known for its mix of intrigue, romance, and scandal, is set to return for a second season. Based on the 1988 novel by Dame Jilly Cooper, the series captures the essence of upper-middle class England in the 1980s. From polo matches and tea parties to secret affairs and high-stakes rivalries, the show offers a blend of traditional English tropes with more risqué and dramatic elements.
The first season introduced viewers to the O’Hara family as they moved to the countryside town of Rutshire for Declan’s new job hosting a TV talk-show. Their lives quickly became entangled in the scandalous social scene of the town, which often involved politician and womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black. While there were plenty of conflicts between Declan, his boss Tony, and Rupert, it was the growing tension between the local Casanova and Declan’s daughter, Taggie, that kept audiences hooked.
The season ended on a cliffhanger, with Rupert and Taggie finally giving in to their intense attraction, while other storylines reached dramatic conclusions, including a battle between Ventura and Corinium, and Tony’s tragic fate after an altercation with Cameron. With so much left unresolved, fans are eager to see what comes next.
When Does Rivals Season Two Arrive in Australia?
If you’ve been counting down the days for the return of Rivals, your wait is almost over. The highly anticipated second season of this steamy drama is set to premiere on Disney+ in Australia today. The first three episodes will be available at 6pm AEST on Friday, May 15.
As with many global streaming releases, the exact time may vary slightly depending on your location within Australia. This means some viewers might be able to watch earlier in the evening, while others may need to wait a little longer before tuning in.
In the meantime, you can rewatch the first season on Disney+ and enjoy all the “bonkbuster” moments that made it a hit. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering the show, there’s never been a better time to dive back into the world of Rivals.
What to Expect in Season Two
While the full plot details for season two are still under wraps, fans can take comfort in knowing that the show is based on the second novel in Jilly Cooper’s The Rutshire Chronicles series. This means there’s plenty of material to explore, with each book in the series featuring overlapping characters and interconnected storylines.
Particularly, viewers can expect more developments for key characters like Rupert and Taggie, whose relationship has already sparked a lot of interest. As the third book in the series, Polo, follows the elite sports community, there’s potential for new story arcs and character interactions that could further expand the world of Rivals.
Is Rivals Based on a Real Story?
Despite its dramatic and sometimes outrageous events, Rivals is not based on a true story. However, author Jilly Cooper has revealed that the books in The Rutshire Chronicles are inspired by her own life experiences and real-world events.
Rupert Campbell-Black, the charming and notorious character at the center of the story, is said to be inspired by several public figures from the 1980s, including Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker-Bowles, the 11th Duke of Beaufort David Somerset, and the late 21st Earl of Suffolk ‘Mickey’ Suffolk. Additionally, fashion designer Rupert Lycett-Green served as a partial inspiration for the character. However, Cooper has clarified that these figures influenced Rupert’s more positive traits, such as charm and glamour, rather than his more mischievous behavior.
