Latest news with #CoriniumTelevision
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Disney+ Rivals confirms huge season 2 update with surprise cast member twist
Season 2 of Rivals is getting underway Sexy, 1980s-set black comedy Rivals has just dropped some huge casting news after it looks like a familiar face will be re-joining the cast. David Tennant will be reprising his BAFTA TV-nominated role as the dastardly Lord Tony Baddingham for season two of the Disney+ drama. The ruthless Corinium Television executive was previously left for dead in his office after his mistress Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) whacked him over the head with a TV award, acting out in self-defence. Now, it's been confirmed the devious TV producer survived and will be back again for further scheming. The news comes as Disney+ confirmed filming will be starting this month on season two. But that's not all - season two will be even longer than its predecessor with a total of 12 episodes compared to the eight in series one. Other cast members returning to the fray are Alex Hassell as Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner as rival TV producer Declan O'Hara, the aformentioned Williams as Cameron Cook, and Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara. Further returning cast members include Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara, Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham, Oliver Chris as James Vereker, Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones, Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton, Luke Pasqualino as Basil 'Bas' Baddingham, Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara and Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson. Executive producer and Rivals author Dame Jilly Cooper said: 'I'm utterly sex-static filming for the second season is upon us. It was magical working with Happy Prince and Disney+ on the first season and seeing everyone fall head over heels for my beloved characters. 'I'm delighted to be able to work with them again and for everyone to see what further mischief they all get up to!' While executive producers for Rivals' production company Happy Prince, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb said: 'We are so excited to be returning to Rutshire for an extended stay of 12 episodes for season two of Rivals. 'It's very special to have the same team return in front of and behind the cameras and we cannot wait to share more of Jilly's world with our audience'. Rivals takes its cue from Dame Jilly's 1988 book of the same name, set in the fictional English county of Rutshire and charting the power struggles and romps in the world of 1980s television. Disney+ has promised in season two audiences will be getting 'even more wit, desire, and dramatic twist' as 'power struggles escalate and rivalries deepen" and "ambition drives every move' with loyalties are pushed to the 'edge'. Marriages, careers and reputations will all be hanging in the balance as personal and professional lives become enmeshed and secrets don't stay hidden for very long. Rivals debuted in 2024 and quickly became a huge hit for Disney+ as its most successful general entertainment premiere in the UK to date. Moreover, Rivals has won several RTS and BAFTA TV Craft Awards, while Tennant and Parkinson received BAFTA TV nods for their performances.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Special reason why acting legend in show based on Stroud author's novel
DAVID TENNANT has said why he was so keen to work on Disney+ show Rivals, based on the novel by Stroud author Jilly Cooper. Tennant, who on Sunday night hosted the UK Film Baftas, was on the BBC programme the One Show on Friday alongside legendary actor Jeff Goldblum. After talking about Wicked and the Baftas, presenter Lauren Laverne then asked Tennant about his role in the recent Disney+ show Rivals, which looks to be set for a second season. Published in 1988, Rivals is part of Stroud author Dame Jilly Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles series and has now been adapted into an eight-part series of the same name. Camera crews were also spotted in Tetbury during filming. She said: "David, while we have you on the show we have to ask about Rivals. "One of the biggest shows of the year and apparently we have your brilliant wife to thank you for your role in it." In reply, the Good Omens and Doctor Who star said: "Georgia knew the book and when the script of the show came out said, this is what you are doing next. "It's going to be huge and there is no debate." "She said it was going to be huge and thank goodness she was right." David Tennant - who plays Lord Ballingham in Rivals - has been married to Georgia Tennant since 2011. 87-year-old author Jilly Cooper previously said: "I think Rivals is my favourite novel because I love the characters so much." 'Even the most ruthless display moments of tenderness and vulnerability, and the shyest and gentlest show courage and integrity as true love blossoms.' The story centres around Tennant's Tony, who owns the local regional television franchise Corinium Television, deep in a heartland of rural England that's all Barbour jackets and clinking champagne glasses.
