Rivals Cast Prepares for Bigger Season Two Shoot at Chavenage House

On a freezing November evening in the Cotswolds, Danny Dyer draws on more than 30 years as an actor to gear up for a night of filming. "You got to put them heat pads in your trotters," he says, gesturing to his feet. "I've got two double ones for me toes, and Long Johns obviously."

Reporters visited the set of Rivals, the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster. The first season won the International Emmy for best drama hours before the visit. The location is Chavenage House near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, site of a bonfire scene for season two.

In the series, the Elizabethan manor serves as the home of TV presenter Declan O'Hara, played by Aidan Turner. Turner previously filmed Poldark there. "I don't think anyone knew until my first day shooting here and then word got around and they wondered if they'd made a mistake," he says. "But actually, they've dressed it so differently I don't recognise it as the place I used to shoot in."

Turner did demand removal of a "Poldark shrine" in the women's toilets. "It was just a big picture of my face looking at everyone who went to the bathroom. It was a bit creepy," he says. "In the men's, there was a sign that said 'Poldark peed here'. That was quite funny, though. That got to stay." Existing Poldark tours of the house will likely expand to include Rivals.

David Tennant plays Lord Baddingham from a 1980s TV office set surrounded by Filofaxes, fax machines and VHS recorders. He credits the first series' success to "delicious" characters, high stakes and juicy scenarios. Tennant looks forward to season two. "I thought he was quite badly behaved in series one, but I do terrible things in series two. I mean really despicable," he says. He hints at the night's scene: "I'm doing something slightly nefarious in some bushes outside. Which could mean anything in this show, frankly."

"That sounds dubious," a reporter replies. "Yes, pretty dubious. Most of the things I do in this show are pretty dubious," Tennant responds.

Dyer's character Freddie Jones emerged as a sex symbol after season one, despite a wig, moustache and sheepskin coat. "He was very kind. There's not a lot of kind people in this show. And while he is really powerful, speaks loads of languages and is really rich, he's still very much, in essence, working class," Dyer says. "He tries to do the right thing and I think that's maybe what's been found attractive." He jokes, "It can't be my belly and breasts. Especially when you stand next to Aidan Turner."

Dyer has worn the moustache for seven months of shooting, with three more to go. "I just want to see my top lip again," he says. "My grandchildren only know me as a moustached man, and that depresses me slightly."

Outside, crews light bonfires, set up cherry pickers for lighting and position extras for party scenes. Fireworks soon light the sky. Victoria Smurfit, who plays Maud O'Hara, Declan's wife, notes greater ambition. "There are more set pieces like tonight. It's bigger, bolder, bonkier!" she says.

Season two has 12 episodes, up from eight. Bella Maclean plays Taggie, love interest to Rupert Campbell-Black. "It feels more luxurious, it feels bigger and larger, but also more heartfelt," she says. "More Rival-y."

Alex Hassell plays Rupert, billed as the "handsomest man in England." He reports TikTok success with his character's relationship with Taggie among Gen Z viewers. "My nieces and nephews are showing me TikToks of specifically Taggie and Rupert. Their kind of yearning for each other has really taken off," he says.

Before season one aired, the team debated how 1980s attitudes would land, including an early scene where Rupert gropes Taggie. "While we thought it was right the story should explore that - it's in the book - we were interested in what young people would make of that," Hassell says. Fans respond to Taggie's potential to change the misguided Rupert, spawning memes.

Jilly Cooper died last year after a fall at home. Lisa McGrillis, who plays Valerie, Freddie's wife, recalls a garden party six weeks before Cooper's death. "She was still so full of life and mischief, and she was so excited about the second series. She was completely across it. She read every single episode, signed it all off," McGrillis says.

Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles include 11 books. Dyer hopes for a third season in the early 1990s, freeing his moustache. "Honestly, I just want my head back," he says.

Rivals season two premieres on Disney+ on May 15.