Rivals season 2 premieres today on Hulu with 12 episodes, David Tennant returns

Rivals season 2 premieres on Hulu today, May 15, delivering 12 explosive episodes of scandal in 1980s England. David Tennant returns as the deliciously devious Lord Tony Baddingham, ready for his most cutthroat season yet. This season promises bigger drama, bold confrontations, and the glamorous chaos fans demanded.

David Tennant Returns for the Most Vicious Season Yet

David Tennant is back as Lord Tony Baddingham, the wickedly manipulative media mogul whose schemes drive the series. The Emmy-nominated actor brings even darker energy to season 2, facing his greatest rival yet. Alex Hassell reprises his role as Rupert Campbell-Black, the charming aristocrat whose longstanding feud with Tony reaches explosive new heights. Season 2 amplifies their rivalry from the page to the screen in ways fans never anticipated.

Joining the returning cast are Aidan Turner as the principled journalist Declan O’Hara and Danny Dyer, who deliver the heart and humor this ensemble thrives on. The chemistry between these core four anchors the chaos beautifully.

Hollywood Icons Elevate the Ensemble Cast with Star Power

Hayley Atwell arrives as a major new player, bringing A-list star power to Rutshire’s most exclusive circles. According to Deadline, the Marvel actress plays Rupert’s ex-wife, injecting personal stakes into the season’s romantic intrigues. Rupert Everett, the legendary British actor, joins as a pivotal new character whose presence immediately shifts power dynamics. These additions signal producers’ commitment to making season 2 feel fresher and grander than ever.

The expanded 12-episode format gives these new characters proper screen time to develop meaningful storylines.

A Bigger, Bolder Adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Literary Masterpiece

Detail	Information
Source Material	Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved novel “Rivals”
Episode Count	12 episodes (up from 8 in season 1)
Setting	1980s English countryside TV networks
Release Schedule	3 episodes today, then weekly drops

Season 2 continues adapting the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel, deepening the exploration of 1980s media politics and romance. The book’s sprawling cast and intricate plotlines finally have room to breathe across 12 episodes, compared to season 1’s more condensed 8-episode format. Press materials describe this season as bigger, bolder, and bonkier than the show’s stunning debut.

Setting remains the idyllic Rutshire region, where glamorous broadcasters, media titans, and desperate climbing housewives collide in scandals. The period detail and costume design remain impeccable, transporting viewers directly into 1980s privilege and corruption.

“The series is bigger and better than before.”

— David Tennant’s official social media, on season 2’s ambitions

Watch the Official Trailer for Season 2’s Most Scandalous Moments

Will You Tune In to Rutshire’s Latest Drama Tonight on Hulu?

Rivals season 2 launches today with three episodes, giving viewers an entire opening act worth of content this evening. With David Tennant‘s magnetic performance and a powerful ensemble now joined by Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett, expectations have never been higher. The 50 percent episode increase means deeper storytelling across the season’s full arc.

Will this season’s larger canvas and new talent elevate 1980s television drama to even greater heights? Streaming now on Hulu and Disney+ as of May 15, 2026.

Sources

• Deadline – Rivals Season 2 executives discuss cast, production, and creative vision
• Newsweek – Episode release dates, episode counts, and streaming information
• Wikipedia – Series information and episode details for season 2