The cast of Rivals with author and executive producer Dame Jilly Cooper (Lucy North/PA)
©Press Association
Hit series Rivals will return with an extended 12-episode second series as filming begins this month, it has been announced.
Set in the 1980s, with the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside, the award-winning Disney+ drama follows the high-stakes world 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 David Tennant reprise his role as Lord Tony Baddingham along with the original cast including The Boys star Alex Hassell, Irish actor Aidan Turner and Black Lightning actress Nafessa Williams.
David Tennant attending the UK special screening of Rivals at Ham Yard Hotel, central London (Lucy North/PA)
Danny Dyer will also return to play businessman Freddie Jones for which he won the British Press Guild Award for best actor and the RTS Television Award for supporting actor.
Throughout the fast-paced and emotionally charged first series, Dyer’s character was seen to have a slow-burn romance with Lizzie Vereker, played by The IT Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson who was nominated for a Bafta TV Award for supporting actress.
Dame Jilly, executive producer and Rivals author, said: “I’m utterly sex-static filming for the second season is upon us.
“I’m delighted to be able to work with them again and for everyone to see what further mischief they all get up to!”
Danny Dyer starred as Freddie Jones in Rivals (Lucy North/PA)
The first series of Rivals was released in October with eight episodes and received six nominations across the Bafta TV awards, along with a nod in the memorable moment category, for the moment Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) were caught playing naked tennis.
Lee Mason, executive director of scripted content for Disney+ EMEA, said: “It’s a real privilege to have this phenomenal team back together for season two of Rivals, from the exceptional cast, the remarkable creative team behind the camera – including the one and only Dame Jilly Cooper.
“Disney+ audiences are in for an absolute treat. Rutshire here we come…”
In December, Disney+ announced the show, which ended on a cliffhanger in series one, had been renewed for a second series.
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