Raunchy comedy series Rivals is getting a third season.
The second season of the show, which is based on the Rutshire Chronicles series of ‘bonkbuster’ novels by the late Jilly Cooper that follows the schemes and affairs of an upper class social circle in the 1980s, returned last month.
Ahead of season two’s return on Disney+ with six more episodes to come in November a third season of 12 episodes has been given the go-ahead, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The drama stars David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer and Emily Atack.
“As the dust settles post the scandalous revelations in season 2, we see the stakes become higher and the alliances more fragile, with nothing staying buried for long,” Disney+ said in a statement. “New romances blossom, old flames rekindle and shocking secrets will be spilled in this third [season], which takes everyone’s favorite rivalries to the next level. In a world of power, passion and betrayal, everyone has something to lose.”
Series executive producers Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alexander Lamb added: “We’ve been delighted and overwhelmed by the audience’s response to season two of Rivals – testament to the hard work from everyone working on Rivals both on and off screen.
“Our one sadness is that Jilly didn’t get to witness the love for season two. But she’s still very much with us in spirit and would be so delighted that season three has been greenlit. We’re so thrilled to continue to work with Disney as we dive deeper into the Rutshire Chronicles and expand the Cooperverse even further.”
Cooper died after suffering a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home on October 4, 2025.
Season 3 of Rivals will be executive-produced by the duo, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (The Riot Club) and Felicity Blunt.
Elsewhere, much like the first series, the second season had plenty of ‘80s needle drops to set the scene of the show with songs by David Bowie, Joy Division and Simple Minds all featuring. Check out the full list here.
The post ‘Rivals’ confirms season three when “stakes become higher” appeared first on NME.
