Rivals Season 2: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes with Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner, and David Tennant

It’s a chilly evening in the Cotswolds, and Danny Dyer is gearing up for another night of filming with over 30 years of acting experience under his belt. He’s got all the tricks in the book, like heat pads in his socks and Long Johns to keep warm. We’re on set for Rivals, the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s steamy novel that’s been making waves. The first season even bagged an International Emmy Award just before we arrived.

Chavenage House near Tetbury in Gloucestershire sets the stage for a bonfire scene in season two. Poldark heartthrob Aidan Turner plays TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who calls this Elizabethan mansion home. It’s a fun twist since Aidan also filmed Poldark here.

David Tennant is perched on a desk in a vintage TV company office, sharing how the characters and stakes in Rivals make it a hit. He’s pumped for series two, promising even more devious deeds from his character, the morally corrupt Lord Tony.

For Danny Dyer, the unexpected turn of being a sex symbol in season one has been a laugh. His character, Freddie Jones, stands out as one of the few kind souls in the show. Dyer jokes about the moustache he’s been stuck with for seven months of filming.

Outside, the scene is buzzing with bonfires, moody lighting, and extras in party mode. The fiery ambiance is a sign of the bigger, bolder, and bonkier vibe promised for the new season by Victoria Smurfit, who plays Declan’s fiery wife, Maud.

With an increased episode count, the show’s scope has expanded. Bella Maclean, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black’s innocent love interest Taggie, feels the difference in scale and depth, dubbing it “more Rival-y.”

Lead actor Alex Hassell is stunned by the Gen Z fandom for Taggie and Rupert on TikTok. Despite concerns about dated attitudes in the story, young viewers seem drawn to Taggie’s openness and potential to help Rupert grow, resulting in a flood of memes.

And even in the absence of Jilly Cooper, who passed away recently, her presence is still felt on set. Lisa McGrillis, who plays Valerie, shares the author’s excitement about the second season just before her passing, showing a love for life and mischief until the end.