irishfilmtv.com

Disney+’s sultry period drama RIVALS has captivated audiences with its delicious blend of 1980s nostalgia and steamy storytelling, with confirmation of a second season sending fans into a frenzy. The adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved 1988 novel has proven to be the “bonkbuster” of the year, aching with old-fashioned small screen sex appeal that viewers simply can’t get enough of.

At the heart of the series stands Aidan Turner as the dishy Irish TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who found himself entangled in the cutthroat world of independent television during the Thatcher era when recruited by the scheming Lord Baddingham, portrayed with delightful menace by David Tennant. Turner’s career renaissance continues with this role, following his critically acclaimed performances in POLDARK and LEONARDO, cementing his status as television’s go-to leading man for period dramas that combine substance with smoldering intensity.

The excitement for RIVALS‘ return recently amplified when series star Danny Dyer, who plays self-made businessman Freddie Jones, shared a promising production update during the Royal Television Society Programme Awards. “We’re on the eve of starting the second series,” Dyer revealed on March 25, humorously adding details about improvements to his character’s appearance: “The old ‘tache is on its way back. I’ve got a better wig which I’m excited about.” His co-star Katherine Parkinson echoed this enthusiasm, noting that with the second series, “[Dyer’s] had some more money spent on him.”

This production update follows executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins’ January confirmation that writing for the new season was officially underway, sharing a photo of himself with fellow producers posing alongside a cardboard cutout of Turner. While specific plot details remain scarce, fans can anticipate resolution to Tony’s fate—the only character whose storyline was left dangling at the first season’s conclusion.

Turner is expected to return alongside the impressive ensemble cast including Dyer, Parkinson, Tennant, Victoria Smurfit, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Claire Rushbrook, Emily Atack, Catriona Chandler, Oliver Chris, Rufus Jones, Lisa McGrillis, and Luke Pasqualino. Williams’ character, the glamorous American TV producer Cameron Cook, provided an intriguing foil to Turner’s O’Hara in the first season, with their initial antagonism developing into a more complex dynamic.

Dame Jilly Cooper herself, serving as executive producer, expressed unbridled enthusiasm about the renewal: “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.” While no premiere date has been announced, production appears to be moving forward with momentum that mirrors the show’s passionate fanbase.

For Turner, RIVALS represents another triumph in a career trajectory that has skillfully balanced commercial appeal with artistic integrity. His portrayal of O’Hara—passionate, principled, yet flawed—has added another memorable character to his increasingly impressive portfolio, further establishing him as one of the most compelling actors of his generation. As cameras prepare to roll on season two, all eyes will be on Turner to see how he further develops this character within Cooper’s deliciously decadent world of ambition, revenge, and desire.