Disney+ has unveiled new casting additions for the second season of “Rivals,” with Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett joining the ensemble as guest stars in the drama based on Jilly Cooper’s bestselling novel.
Atwell, known for “Mission Impossible” and “Agent Carter,” will portray Helen Gordon, the ex-wife of Rupert Campbell-Black and mother to his children Marcus and Tabitha. Everett, whose credits include “Napoleon” and “My Policeman,” takes on the role of Malise Gordon, Helen’s husband and Campbell-Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor.
The Happy Prince production, part of ITV Studios, is currently shooting in the U.K.. Season 2 will expand to 12 episodes, building on the success of the first season which became one of Disney+’s most popular British original dramas.
Additional new cast members announced include Maxim Ays (“Boarders,” “Sanditon”), Holly Cattle (“Young Sherlock,” “Mr Loverman”), Oliver Dench (“Hotel Portofino,” “Domina”), Amanda Lawrence (“Malory Towers,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”), Bobby Lockwood (“Wolfblood,” “Here We Go”), Eliot Salt (“Slow Horses,” “Normal People”), and Jonny Weldon (“One Day,” “Brassic”).
The series brings back its original ensemble cast alongside an extensive list of returning supporting players, including Wendy Albiston, Jamie Bisping, Denise Black, and David Calder, among others.
Set in the glamorous world of 1980s British television against the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside, the second season will feature heightened power struggles and deeper rivalries as careers, marriages and reputations hang in the balance.
“Rivals is a landmark series for Disney+, quickly becoming one of our most beloved British U.K. original dramas,” said Lee Mason, executive director of Scripted Originals, EMEA Disney+. “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.”
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, chief creative officer of Happy Prince, and Alexander Lamb, creative director, added: “We are utterly thrilled to have Hayley and Rupert join us to play Jilly Cooper’s legendary characters Helen and Malise Gordon. Alongside our other new wonderful actors and truly brilliant returning cast, ‘Rivals’ series two absolutely showcases the best of British and Irish talent.”
The series is executive produced by Treadwell-Collins, Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, Laura Wade, Cooper and Jonny Richards for Disney+ EMEA scripted content. Eliza Mellor serves as series producer.
“Rivals” will return to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the U.K. and internationally. The first season is currently available to stream on Disney+.