The television drama Rivals is returning for a second season featuring larger set pieces and expanded production scales [1, 2].

The return of the series follows the global success of its first season and aims to honor the legacy of author Jilly Cooper following her death [1, 2].

Production for the second series took place in 2024 [1]. Filming centered on the Cotswolds and surrounding towns in the West of England, utilizing the region's landscape to maintain the show's visual identity [1, 2]. The production team said there is a move toward a "bigger, bolder" approach for this installment, incorporating more elaborate 1980s styling to reflect the era's aesthetic [1].

Cast members including Aidan Turner and David Tennant returned for the sequel [1]. The production focused on creating more complex set pieces to elevate the drama's scale compared to the initial series [1]. These efforts were designed to mirror the opulent, and high-energy tone of Cooper's original writing [1, 2].

Behind-the-scenes coverage highlights the logistical scale of filming in the English countryside, where the production team coordinated various locations across the Cotswolds to capture the specific social hierarchies and settings of the story [1, 2].

“Rivals is returning for a second season featuring larger set pieces and expanded production scales.”

The expansion of Rivals suggests a strategic effort by producers to capitalize on the first season's international momentum. By increasing the production value and leaning further into the 1980s aesthetic, the series seeks to transition from a niche adaptation into a high-budget prestige drama while maintaining a connection to Jilly Cooper's literary influence.