Two major Hollywood stars have been added to the second season of Disney Plus series Rivals.
In what is a surprise cast announcement, Hayley Atwell, who is known for Mission Impossible and Agent Carter, and Rupert Everett, from Napoleon and My Policeman, will be joining the stellar cast as guest stars.
Atwell will be playing Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, Marcus and Tabitha.
Meanwhile, Everett is set to take on the role of her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor.
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins shared the news to eager Rivals Fans.
‘We have some new guests. So some new cast, some of them are newly created characters with Jilly’s blessing, some famous characters,’ Metro heard at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
‘And most importantly, we’re looking into Rupert more. So we have Rupert’s children, Marcus and Tabitha, come into the show, but also with them.
‘Anyone who knows Jilly Cooper knows that Rupert’s ex wife, Helen, loathes him and she is married to his old show jumping boss who’s a bit older than her Malise.
‘So we are bringing Helen and Malise Gordon into this series played by Rupert Everett and Hayley Atwell, so they will be joining the cast. For fans of the books, it’s great to dig deeper into Rupert.’
He added: ‘We are utterly thrilled to have Hayley and Rupert join us to play Jilly Cooper’s legendary characters Helen and Malise Gordon.
‘With further exciting guest stars to be announced, we can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next for the residents of Rutshire.’
Rivals will be returning with an extended season of twelve episodes.
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Cotswolds countryside and the glamorous, high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the second instalment will see the return of an all-star cast, which includes David Tennant and Danny Dyer.
Lee Mason, another executive producer, said: ‘Rivals is a landmark series for Disney+, quickly becoming one of our most beloved British UK Orginal 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.’
This news comes after Rivals star Dyer promised that season 2 will have ‘plenty of naughtiness’.
The Mr Bigstuff actor discussed the Dame Jilly Cooper 80s adaptation, saying: ‘It’s so lavish and lush. I’m very excited about it. I’m concentrating on bringing Freddie back.
‘This series is so much better than the first. It’s that difficult second album thing other than the writers and producers have absolutely nailed it. I can’t wait for people to see it, it’s a beautiful job for me.
‘If you want a bit of naughtiest in your life, go and watch it. Rivals has plenty of naughtiness.’
Rivals will return to Disney Plus. All episodes of season one are available to stream now on Disney Plus.
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