Two major Hollywood stars have joined the cast of Disney Plus hit series Rivals for its highly anticipated second season. Hayley Atwell, known for Mission: Impossible and Agent Carter, and Rupert Everett, from Napoleon and My Policeman, will appear as guest stars in the 1980s drama.
Atwell will portray Helen Gordon, the ex-wife of Rupert Campbell-Black and mother to his children Marcus and Tabitha. Everett takes on the role of her husband Malise Gordon, who served as Campbell-Black's former show-jumping coach and mentor.
Character dynamics explored
The casting announcement allows the series to delve deeper into Rupert Campbell-Black's complex personal relationships. Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Anyone who knows Jilly Cooper knows that Rupert's ex wife, Helen, loathes him and she is married to his old show jumping boss who's a bit older than her Malise."
The second season will expand from the original format to feature twelve episodes, giving more time to explore these intricate character dynamics. Treadwell-Collins added: "We are utterly thrilled to have Hayley and Rupert join us to play Jilly Cooper's legendary characters Helen and Malise Gordon."
Enhanced production quality
The casting represents a significant coup for the series, which quickly became one of Disney Plus's most beloved British original dramas. Lee Mason, another executive producer, described Rivals as "a landmark series for Disney+" and praised the new additions as "a perfect match for the world of Rutshire."
Danny Dyer, who returns as Freddie Jones, has promised the second season will deliver enhanced quality and entertainment value. Dyer said: "This series is so much better than the first. It's that difficult second album thing other than the writers and producers have absolutely nailed it."
Release timeline
The series will continue to feature the existing all-star cast, including David Tennant and Danny Dyer, alongside the new Hollywood additions. According to the Daily Record, fans can expect the second season to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026.
Set against the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside and the high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the expanded season promises to maintain the lavish production values that made the first season a success.
Sources used: "Metro", "Daily Record", "Mirror", "HuffPost UK", "Evening Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
