The Rivals season 2 cast is back in force as Hulu prepares to release the second batch of episodes from the show’s sophomore run. Three new instalments arrive on November 11, 2026, following the six that debuted in May. Based on Jilly Cooper’s novel, the series follows the wealthy and scheming residents of the fictional English county of Rutshire, where affairs, ambition and old grudges collide.
At the centre of the story is the feud between Lord Tony Baddingham and Rupert Campbell-Black, whose competing television interests — Corinium and Venturer — threaten to destabilise the lives of everyone around them. Here is a guide to the main players and the actors who bring them to life.
Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black
Hassell plays Rupert, a former show-jumper who now sits in Parliament as a Conservative MP. Rupert is one of Rutshire’s most powerful figures, a founding member of the Venturer consortium and the principal adversary of Tony Baddingham.
David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham
Tennant takes on the role of Tony, the owner of Corinium and a television executive willing to use blackmail and manipulation to protect his grip on the local franchise. His determination to keep his enemies in check fuels much of the season’s conflict.
Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara
Turner portrays Declan, an Irish journalist of considerable talent who was persuaded by Tony to leave the BBC and front a talk show for Corinium. The job proves far from what Declan anticipated, and he ultimately sides with Rupert and Freddie in the launch of Venturer.
Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara
Maclean plays Taggie, Declan’s middle daughter. Gentle and considerate, she is the glue holding her family together, though she reveals a stubborn streak when circumstances demand it.
Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
Williams appears as Cameron, an American television executive recruited by Tony to produce Declan’s programme. Ambitious, self-assured and determined to climb the industry ladder, Cameron is not easily deterred.
Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones
Dyer plays Freddie, a millionaire who made his money in electronics. His working-class roots set him apart from Rutshire’s established aristocracy, and he is not shy about expressing his opinions. Freddie is another of Venturer’s founders, alongside Rupert and Declan.
Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
Parkinson stars as Lizzie, a successful novelist in the romantic genre who is married to television presenter James Vereker. Long accustomed to feeling sidelined in her marriage, Lizzie is starting to recognise that she deserves better.
Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton
Atack plays Sarah, the wife of the deputy prime minister. A skilled social climber, Sarah uses charm and connections to secure what she wants and has little interest in staying in the background.
Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton
Jones portrays Paul, Sarah’s husband and a senior Conservative politician serving as deputy prime minister. His position makes him one of the most powerful people in the country, while his marriage supplies its own share of drama.
Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones
McGrillis plays Valerie, Freddie’s wife. Through Valerie, the Jones family’s passage through Rutshire’s affluent circles is charted, with their background and way of life sometimes marking them out from the old-money set.
Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara
Smurfit appears as Maud, Declan’s wife and the mother of his children. Their marriage comes under severe pressure as Declan is drawn deeper into the Corinium–Venturer battle.
Oliver Chris as James Vereker
Chris plays James, a television presenter and Lizzie’s husband. Used to occupying the spotlight, James finds his marriage increasingly fraught as Lizzie begins to reassess her role within it.
Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham
Pasqualino plays Basil, known as Bas, Tony’s younger brother. Bas is the proprietor of Bar Sinister, one of the most popular nightlife venues in Cotchester.
The three remaining episodes of Rivals season 2 arrive on Hulu on November 11, 2026.
