‘Rivals’ Return Trailer: Tony vs. Rupert, Taggie & Bas Getting Closer, and More

After a shocking midseason finale (which you can read all about in our cover story with David Tennant and Nafessa Williams here), the wait that Rivals fans have had to endure is almost over.

On Tuesday, September 29, Hulu revealed a new trailer for the juicy drama’s return. Season 2 Part 2 premieres on Wednesday, November 11, with three of the remaining six episodes.

The video, which you can watch above, offers a look at what’s next after Monica’s (Claire Rushbrook) shocking death, a departure from Jilly Cooper‘s book on which it is based. A crying Tony (Tennant) is comforted by his half-brother Bas (Luca Pasqualino). Rupert (Alex Hassell) tells Tony, “Your wife died my arms, broken by your games.” And while that might change a person, not Tony. “Well, she’s not here anymore,” he says. “I’ve got nothing left to do but fight.” That’s bad news for Venturer in their fight for the franchise against his Corinium.

Disney

What’s worse? Freddie (Danny Dyer) of Venturer warns, “Someone close to us can’t be trusted.”

And while Maud (Victoria Smurfit) may know their affair is the cause for Monica’s death — Tony’s wife found out about it and was driving in the storm as a result — Tony’s not ready for it to stop: “We’re not done yet.” Uh-oh. You know that’s going to mean trouble for Maud’s husband, Declan (Aidan Turner).

As for what’s going on with Rupert and Taggie (Bella Maclean), well, she’s growing closer to Bas — and there’s a certain glass-breaking moment at the Hunt Ball from the book coming up. Cameron (Williams) warns Rupert on a plane, “If you keep on this, you will run out of hearts to break.” He tells her, “I intend to leave hearts well alone in the future.”

But there will, of course, be some meaningful moments between Rupert and Taggie, including her checking that he’ll be home for Christmas. “There’s nothing for me to rush back for,” he says. (Ouch?)

As for the affair we’re rooting for, Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) admits to Freddie that she assumed that he and his wife Valerie (Lisa McGrillis) weren’t sleeping together. He asks if she wants him to stop. “I don’t think I can ask you that,” she says. “Do you want me to?” he asks again.

Watch the trailer above for much more, including Perdita (Holly Cattle) watching Rupert, Declan warning Tony, “Lord Baddingham, there’s nowhere to hide,” Rupert punching Bas, a possible police presence Corinium, and much more.

Read on for everything we know so far about when Rivals Season 2 returns, what will happen when it does, who will appear in Part 2, and more.

When does Rivals Season 2 return?

There are still six more episodes of Rivals Season 2. They will premiere, starting with the first three, on November 11, on Hulu.

The first part of Season 2 premiered on May 15 with the first three episodes. The other three were released weekly.

Who stars in Rivals Season 2?

A cast list for the return has been released, and back are: David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara, 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, Luca Pasqualino as Basil “Bas” Baddingham, Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O’Hara, Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson, Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn, Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton, Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara, Lara Peake as Daysee Butler, and Bryony Hannah as Dierdre Kilpatrick. The inclusion of Rushbrook is interesting.

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Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett will also continue to guest star as Rupert’s ex-wife, Helen Gordon, and her husband, Malise.

Joining the cast for the second half of Season 2, and seen in the trailer, is Rachael Stirling as Araminta Pemberton, Lady Monica Baddingham’s vampish younger sister. Other new cast members include Rupert Evans as erudite headmaster David Hawkley and Santiago Cabrera as Argentinian Polo legend Alejandro Mendoza.

Rivals is made by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. It is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, Laura Wade, and Rivals author Dame Jilly Cooper. Eliza Mellor returns as series producer. It is written by Treadwell-Collins, Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh, and Dare Aiyegbayo and directed by Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson, and Dee Koppang O’Leary.

Where did Rivals Season 2 leave off?

A hurricane hit during the Rivals midseason finale. After finding out about Tony’s affair with Maud, Monica went out into the middle of it, had a telling conversation with Lizzie about the choices they make, and returned home to tell her husband she was divorcing him and wasn’t going to keep quiet about why. She then went back out into the storm to drive Caitlin home, only for, as Rupert told Tony the next morning, a tree to fall on her car and kill her.

Meanwhile, Cameron witnessed the connection between Rupert and Taggie when Declan’s daughter brought his horse back in the middle of the storm. Plus, Lizzie returned to Freddie, despite them breaking off their affair due to their marriages.

What will happen when Rivals Season 2 returns?

According to the official description, “the residents of Rutshire are rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point.”

Hulu

It continues, “As Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara’s contest for the Cotswolds crown hits a fever pitch, Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons. Across 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 battle, Taggie O’Hara must find the courage to follow her heart while everyone else faces the consequences of ambition, power, and secrets that they can no longer hide.”

Is there a Rivals Season 2 Part 2 trailer?

Yes! You can watch it above. There’s also the previous trailer that was released the day after Season 2 Episode 6 dropped. Watch it below.