Rivals renewed for season three as drama heats up again

A scandal-soaked return to Rutshire is already stirring excitement, and now Rivals fans have even more reason to pay attention! Disney+ has officially confirmed a third season of the addictive drama - just as its second outing prepares to deliver another dose of betrayal - ambition and romance later this year.

With tensions rising and secrets refusing to stay buried, the series looks set to push its tangled relationships even further. And if the latest hints are anything to go by, things are about to get messier. Here's everything we know about the next season...

What is Rivals about?

Based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, Rivals dives into a world where power, passion and ego collide. Season one introduced audiences to its sharp-tongued, scandal-fuelled universe, quickly building a reputation for bold storytelling and richly layered characters.

Season two has already made a strong impression, with its first batch of episodes debuting in May and becoming Disney+’s biggest ever EMEA original premiere in the UK and Ireland. The story continues this November with six new episodes, picking up after explosive revelations that leave relationships shaken and alliances hanging by a thread.

Looking ahead to season three, the drama is only intensifying. New romances will bloom, old flames will reignite and long-hidden secrets will come to light, pushing every rivalry to breaking point.

Lee Mason, Vice-President, Scripted, Disney+ EMEA, commented: "The phenomenal response to Rivals is a credit to the bold, irreverent and endlessly entertaining world created by Dame Jilly Cooper, our cast, creative team and production partners at Happy Prince. We’re delighted to be bringing audiences a third season on Disney+/Hulu. Expect more ambition, more romance, more rivalries and, of course, more scandal as we return to Rutshire for another irresistible chapter."

Who is the cast?

Rivals stars David Tennant as Tony Baddingham, the powerful TV magnate and MP; Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, the charismatic show-jumping politician; and Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, the renowned journalist.

The ensemble also includes Katherine Parkinson as romance novelist Lizzie Vereker, her husband James (Oliver Chris); Danny Dyer as businessman Freddie Jones, and his wife Valerie (Lisa McGrillis); and Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, the aspiring television presenter who is the second wife of MP Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones).

Other key characters include Tony’s brother Bas (Luke Pasqualino), Declan’s wife Maud (Victoria Smurfit), and daughter Taggie (Bella Maclean).

The series centres on Rupert and Declan’s scheming to overthrow Tony at Corinium TV station, weaving power, romance, betrayal and scandal through the Rutshire elite.

READ MORE: Disney+ unveils new Rivals season 2 teaser as next batch of episodes is confirmed

Who is in Rivals season 3?

Season three casting has not been formally announced. It is expected that established characters will return, though any new additions or departures remain under wraps for now.

Behind the scenes, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Laura Wade and Felicity Blunt will executive produce the new season.

Dominic and Alexander said: "We’ve been delighted and overwhelmed by the audience’s response to season two of Rivals - testament to the hard work from everyone working on Rivals both on and off screen. Our one sadness is that Jilly didn’t get to witness the love for season two.

"But she’s still very much with us in sprit and would be so delighted that season three has been green lit. We’re so thrilled to continue to work with Disney as we dive deeper into the Rutshire Chronicles and expand the Cooperverse even further."

When is season 3 out?

An exact release date for season three has not yet been confirmed. However, with production moving forward, more details are expected after season two completes its run later this year.

Where can I watch it?

Rivals is available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.

All episodes of season one, along with the first six episodes of season two, are currently streaming. The second batch of season two episodes arrives this November.

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