Rivals Season 2: Steamiest Trailer EVER?! Disney+ Set to EXPLODE!

Disney+ is cranking up the heat this spring with the return of *Rivals*, a series cheekily dubbed "the naughtiest show on television." The trailer for Season 2 just dropped, and frankly, it looks like things are about to get even messier for Rutshire's elite. Mark your calendars, folks – May 15th is the day we dive back into the drama.

Rivals Season 2: Steamiest Trailer EVER?! Disney+ ...

The trailer gives us a glimpse of the familiar faces we loved (and loved to hate) from the first season. David Tennant is back as the deliciously ruthless Tony Baddingham, and Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, and Emily Atack are also reprising their roles. Alex Hassell, who really stole the show in Season 1, is also returning. And adding some fresh star power, Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett are joining the cast this season, promising even more intrigue. Honestly, the casting alone is worth tuning in for.

Season 2 amps up the battle for the Central South West television franchise, with the rivalry between Corinium and Venturer reaching a boiling point. Baddingham, seemingly with no moral compass, is ready to weaponize scandal and manipulate anyone who gets in his way. It's all set against the backdrop of the excessive 80s, so expect plenty of shoulder pads, questionable hairstyles, and even more questionable decisions. As the official synopsis says, the personal lives of Rutshire's finest are about to descend into utter chaos. Buckle up!

For those outside the US, *Rivals* is a Disney+ gem, even though it's a Hulu original stateside. Season 2 will be released in two installments of six episodes each, giving us plenty of time to soak in all the backstabbing and betrayal. This is exactly the kind of escapist fare I need after a long week.

This season is particularly poignant, arriving after the sad passing of Jilly Cooper, the author of the original novel and an executive producer on Season 1. Cooper's passing was met with an outpouring of love and tributes, highlighting her impact on British literature. Queen Camilla, a friend of Cooper's, even visited the set of Season 2 during production, which is a pretty amazing endorsement, if you ask me. I can only hope the new season will honor her legacy.

Behind the scenes, ITV Studios-owned Happy Prince is producing *Rivals*, with a seriously impressive team of executive producers including Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade. Eliza Mellor returns as series producer, and the writing team is packed with talent. Directing duties are being shared by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson, and Dee Koppang O’Leary. Clearly, no expense was spared in bringing Cooper’s vision to life. This show was commissioned by Lee Mason, VP Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA. From the looks of the trailer, they’ve delivered a show that is as juicy and compelling as the original novel – and that's saying something.