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07 Mar 2026
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07 Mar 2026
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David Tennant declares war in a first-look trailer for the highly-anticipated second season of Rivals.
In a teaser trailer released by Disney+, the release date for the second series has been confirmed as May 15, with Tennant at the centre of the drama as TV mogul Lord Tony Baddingham.
The preview kicks off with the Doctor Who star, 54, striding out of a helicopter and saying: “Sorry I’m late, darling. I’ve had a terrible headache.”
It comes as last season ended on a tense cliff-hanger, leaving viewers wondering what happened to Lord Baddingham after Cameron Cooke (Nafessa Williams) hit him over the head to stop him from attacking her, and left him laying motionless in a pool of his own blood.
The preview shows Tennant stepping back into the role of his ruthless character, who is later seen in the Corinium Television offices, telling his employees: “We are at war.”
The trailer also sees EastEnders actor Danny Dyer return as businessman Freddie Jones, who says: “It’s a bloody circus.”
His character is also seen looking cosy with love interest Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson) while lothario Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, is getting close with Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara.
Meanwhile, Irish actor Aidan Turner – who plays journalist Declan O’Hara – can be heard saying: “It’s entertaining. In the most delightful way.”
Mony Mony by Billy Idol plays throughout the trailer as viewers get a glimpse into the upcoming drama.
The new season will also see a string of guest stars, including Agent Carter actress Hayley Atwell and My Policeman star Rupert Everett.
Set in the 1980s, with the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside, the award-winning drama follows the high-stakes world of British television as careers, marriages and reputations hang by a thread when professional and personal lives collide.
Based on the best-selling novel by Dame Jilly Cooper, the second series will see Lord Baddingham ready to stop at nothing to keep his TV company Corinium’s empire unrivalled.
Last month, a memorial service was held for Dame Jilly, who died unexpectedly in October, aged 88, after suffering injuries from a fall.
The second series of Rivals will consist of 12 episodes and the hit show will return to Disney+ on May 15.
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