Disney+ confirms its ‘bonkbuster’ TV hit Rivals is back for Season Two. But will David Tennant be returning?

Release the hounds — Rivals is back for another series!

Disney Plus announced today that its hit drama, based on the novel by Dame Jilly Cooper, has been greenlit for a second season.

The news comes off the back of the series’ dramatic cliffhanger ending, which saw — SPOILER — David Tennant’s character, Sir Tony Baddingham left fighting for his life after a dramatic altercation with his mistress Cameron (Nafessa Williams).

It’s not known whether Tennant’s character survives, but Disney has confirmed that the series, which is “set against the backdrop of the drama, excess and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England” will focus on the world first brought to life in Cooper’s celebrated “bonkbuster” novels.

“Nearly 40 years after my novel Rivals was published, I’ve adored seeing the world fall in love with my beloved characters — Rutshire’s Finest,” Dame Cooper said in a statement.

“It has been a fairytale come true working with (production company) Happy Prince and Disney Plus on the first season.

“I’m orgasmic with excitement and cannot wait for the return of my superhero Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and the rest of the characters in season two!”

Lee Mason, Executive Director of Scripted Originals, EMEA Disney Plus, added: “It’s been phenomenal seeing the reaction to Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals …We’re thrilled that existing fans of the novels, alongside those new to the Cooperverse, have taken the series to their hearts.”

Rivals proved an enormous hit with viewers right around the world, who binged the racey series enmasse.

It was also a critical hit, with an impressive critic rating score of 94 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

“It’s been magical to receive the love back from viewers that we put into Rivals,” Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Chief Creative Officer of Happy Prince and Alexander Lamb, Creative Director of Happy Prince, said in a joint statement.

“The Rivals team set out to create people’s favourite television show, something enduring that our audience would take to their hearts and watch and re-watch.

“We’re delighted that we’re returning to Rutshire with Jilly and Disney Plus.

“It’s a special place to be.”

Rivals is streaming now on Disney Plus