Hollywood actors set to join Rivals cast for upcoming second series as filming begins for Disney+ drama
Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett will be starring as Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black's ex-wife, and show-jumping coach Malise Gordon.
Filming for the next instalment began in May, with stars such as Danny Dyer and Emily Atack sharing a behind-the-scenes insight from Disney+ set.
Now, it has been revealed they will be joined by new additions, including Hayley, known for her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and well known actor Rupert.
Also joining the ensemble are Maxim Ays, Holly Cattle, Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt and Jonny Weldon.
The period drama - which is based on author Jilly Cooper's novel of the same name - premiered in the UK on streaming service Disney+, as well as in the US on Hulu back in October 2024.
Lee Mason, executive director of scripted originals EMEA Disney+ said in a statement to Hollywood Reporter: 'Rivals, is a landmark series for Disney+, quickly becoming one of our most beloved British U.K. original dramas.
'I'm delighted to welcome Hayley and Rupert to our extraordinary family of actors. They are a perfect match for the world of Rutshire, so lovingly created by Dame Jilly and the team at Happy Prince.'
Rivals author Jilly recently weighed in on intimacy coordinators being used for the Disney+ show following comments made by Danny Dyer.
The actor said there is so much bonking in Rivals 2 – which is currently filming - that they have hired every intimacy coach in the UK.
But Jilly - who wrote the 1988 novel - is bemused by the growth of the on-set sex-scene coach.
She told The Times: 'In my day when people were acting they just used to jump on each other and roll around without having anyone telling them what to do. I suppose the world's changed, hasn't it?'
Had she been an actress rather than author, Jilly said she would not have been comfortable with having an intimacy coordinator choreographing her sex scenes.
She added: 'I'd be very embarrassed. I wouldn't like it myself - but then no one has any fun any more, do they?'
Rivals author Jilly recently weighed in on intimacy coordinators being used for the Disney+ show following comments made by Danny Dyer
Danny said there is so much bonking in Rivals 2 – which is currently filming - that they have hired every intimacy coach in the UK
Her comments come after Danny said there is so much bonking in Rivals' second series that they have hired every intimacy coach in the UK.
Danny - who plays Freddie Jones in the show, which also stars David Tennant, Emily Attack and Alex Hassell - said: 'We are doing 12 episodes of Rivals and we are filming until March next year.
'It is brilliant but it is a mad thing to do a sex scene.
'If you think about it you are legally allowed to tongue someone else. It is part of your job. Depending on your partner. It is OK if you fancy it, I am not going to lie.'
'On Rivals there are a lot of intimacy coaches. I think we used every intimacy coach in the land,' he added.
In the smash hit Disney+ show, based on the novel by Jilly, Danny played self-made businessman Freddie Jones who goes into business with Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell and Declan O'Hara played by Aidan Turner.
In the show, his character falls in love with romance author Lizzie Vereker, played by actress Katherine Parkinson.
The initial run was eight episodes but Disney+ have asked for more this time around after the huge success of series one.
Danny's performance has been hailed as bringing heart to the frothy, pulpy show, which has led to a reassessment of him as an actor, following his long-running stint in EastEnders.
He was awarded a BAFTA last month for his performance in Mr Bigstuff.
He told Esquire magazine: 'People saw me in a different light[in Rivals], and it came out just after Mr. Bigstuff, which, for once, shows a bit of versatility, because Lee is so different to Freddie.
'I've made a lot mistakes over the years. I've said yes to a lot of jobs I probably shouldn't have, probably because I was driven by the dollar – I had bills to pay and kids in private schools.
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