Hold onto your champagne, Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett are joining the cast of Rivals.
Disney+ unveiled on Wednesday that MCU and Mission Impossible star Atwell, as well as beloved British actor Everett have boarded season two of the Jilly Cooper adaptation as guest stars. Principal photography on the drama, produced by Happy Prince (part of ITV Studios), is underway in the U.K.
Atwell will be playing Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, Marcus and Tabitha. Everett is set to take on the role of her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell-Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor.
Further talent joining the ensemble have also been announced: Maxim Ays (Boarders), Holly Cattle (Young Sherlock) Oliver Dench (Hotel Portofino), Amanda Lawrence (Malory Towers), Bobby Lockwood (Wolfblood), Eliot Salt (Slow Horses), and Jonny Weldon (‘One Day’, ‘Brassic’).
The new additions join the all-star lineup from season one including David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Aidan Turner, Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, Nafessa Williams and Victoria Smurfit, among others.
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 the cast that won the hearts of fans and critics last year.
Lee Mason, executive director of scripted originals, EMEA Disney+, said: “Rivals is a landmark series for Disney+, quickly becoming one of our most beloved British U.K. original 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.”
Showrunner and Happy Prince CCO Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb, Happy Prince 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. 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 return to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the U.K. and internationally. All episodes of Rivals season one are available to stream now, on Disney+.