After the shock ending that’s left us hanging since the beginning of the summer, there’s finally been some news on when Rivals will be returning to our screen.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was announced that the second half of season two would be premiering on Disney+ on Wednesday 11 November.
The gripping bonkbuster will initially return with a three-episode drop, followed by three more new episodes in the following weeks.
Besides this exciting new info, Disney has also released brand new photos from the upcoming episodes, offering fans a sneak peek at what they’re in for.
An official press release has teased: “Picking up after the gut-wrenching mid-series finale, Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara’s battle for the Cotswolds crown reaches fever pitch, while Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons.
“Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify.
“Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise war, Taggie O’Hara must find the courage to follow her heart, while those around her face the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that can no longer remain hidden. But as series two draws to a close, who will get their happy ending?”
It was previously revealed that Rachael Stirling will be joining the cast as Lady Monica Baddingham’s younger sister, Araminta Pemberton in the next run of episodes, which will also feature Rupert Evans and Big Little Lies’ Santiago Cabrera as new characters.
Earlier this year, Rivals writer Laura Wade claimed that the cliffhanger at the end of episode six was partly responsible for the mid-season pause in an effort “for those bits of story to just have a moment to sink in with viewers” and “build up some anticipation”.
“Also, we’ve got the Fifa World Cup coming up, so we’re releasing the first half before the football,” she pointed out on a more practical level, as well as noting that the second half of season two is set at a different time of the year to season one, so a longer break between episodes felt fitting.
Meanwhile, a third season has also been given the green light by Disney.
