From the soundtrack to the fashion, this Autumn, Rivals on Disney+ took us on a blast back to the Eighties – an all-out camp cocktail stacked with scandal, shoulder pads, and all the romping you could ever dream of. BRB – still drooling over Aidan Turner’s ripped bod. No wonder the show has been one of the most talked about TV hotties this year. It was an absolute riot of a watch, getting critics and viewers alike hot under the collar. Phewww.

The action (we’ll put it that way) saw a star-studded affair, featuring the likes of David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Danny Dyer, although TV and theatre star Alex Hassell didn’t take long to become everyone’s new favourite heart throb (errrrm, that tennis scene).

The show is based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s (who is also an executive producer on the show) bestselling Rutshire Chronicles, set in the fictional county of Rutshire in the Cotswolds, where the houses are big, but the hair is even bigger. As the title might suggest, it follows the rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Hassell, and Tony Baddingham, played by Tennant, as the social elite battle it out in the cut-throat world of independent television.

Rivals has been a roaring success, although if you’re anything like me, the ending practically had me on my knees, screaming at the TV. So thank the spice gods that season 2 is officially confirmed (we never doubted it would be)! Speaking of the renewal, Dame Jilly Cooper said: “I’m orgasmic with excitement and cannot wait for the return of my superhero, Rupert Campbell-Black, and the rest of the characters in season two.” Same Jilly, same. While we anxiously await its return, we’ve popped together all our burning questions for the next season, including our predictions for what could possibly come next. FYI: spoilers ahead!

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Ermm, cliffhanger much? While I try to get my breath back, let me recap. The final scene saw Lord Tony Baddingham being left for “dead” on the floor of his office after his mistress Cameron (Nafessa Williams), although in an act of self-defence, strikes him over the head with a TV award. Eeek.

There’s also the matter of the slow burn romance between Rupert and Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean) who were seen getting cosy together, admitting their feelings, and even sharing a cheeky snog. Although, there’s the small issue of Rupert’s promise to Taggie’s Dad, Declan (Turner), that he’ll stay away. Seriously though, will they really be able to resist each other? If you can Taggie, you’re a stronger soldier than me.

We all know about the scandal involving Rupert which Declan was going to expose. Plot twist: he doesn’t. But when a document with the name ‘Perdita’ crops up, it begs the question – who is Perdita? The answer lies in Rivals’ sequel book Polo and only means one thing. More drama!

You can’t talk about unanswered questions without addressing Sarah Stratton’s (Emily Atack) pregnancy. The father is a big unknown, although Sarah was seen to sleep with James (Oliver Chris), her husband (Rufus Jones) and Rupert throughout season one. But who’s the baby daddy?

POSSIBLE STORYLINES

With the second half of the book still yet to come, we’re in for a titillating treat. If anything’s for certain, more bonking, bed-hopping, betrayal, and frilly dresses are surely on the cards. *Excitedly shuffles in seat*.

When it comes to the fate of Tony, Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins previously teased whether he was actually dead, telling TV Insider, “There are so many possibilities about what could happen, but what we do know is revenge is a dish best served on television.” Spicy! Let’s be real though, Rivals wouldn’t be the same without Tony. If we look at the source material, the latter half of the book sees our leading man in fact surviving his battering and out for blood.

Rupert’s romance with Taggie is set to be a bumpy ride (yes, that kind too), then there’s also the promise to Declan to contend with, and the mysterious Perdita which only adds to the complications.

In terms of other romances, the possibilities are endless. We’re totally here for a Declan and Cameron rendezvous – something Aidan Turner hasn’t ruled out. With Declan’s marriage to Maud (Victoria Smurfit) on the rocks, anything can happen, and we’re likely to see them sink or swim in season two.

For other characters, a marriage proposal could be on the cards, plus passionate declarations of love, naughtiness, and the continuation of affairs (hm, hm, Lizzie and Freddie aka Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer). Either way, there’s no shortage of material. With another 10 Jilly Cooper books in the series up for potential screenings, we’re here for the long term smoulder.

THE CAST

Nothing is set in stone but the majority of the cast are likely to return, including David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Alex Hassell, will be back for season two. Conflicting schedules may be the biggest hurdle to overcome here, however, many have expressed their enthusiasm to slip back into their Eighties get-ups.

RELEASE DATE

Disney+ have only recently confirmed the show’s renewal, so no official date to pencil in just yet. If production schedules are anything to go by though, the earliest we can expect is the tail-end of 2025. *Cries into tweed*. The only acceptable way to pass the time until then? Pass the remote, we’re going in for the re-binge!

Stream all episodes of Rivals on Disney+ now.