Disney+ Launches Rivals Season Two Podcast Hosted by Pandora Sykes on May 15
Disney+ has announced the return of the official podcast for its series Rivals, aligning with the season two premiere on May 15. Hosted by Pandora Sykes, the podcast will feature discussions on episodes, characters and behind-the-scenes details. It follows the show's successful 2024 launch as Disney+'s top U.K. drama.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewDisney+ has revealed the return of the Pandora Sykes-hosted podcast for the second season of Rivals, set to launch on May 15 in coordination with the new episodes. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Rivals: The Official Podcast will debut alongside the season two launch.
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Pandora Sykes, the podcast is produced by Platform Media, the creator of The Traitors: Uncloaked.
' The podcast will delve into each episode of Rivals season two. Guests will discuss Dame Jilly Cooper, character arcs, 1980s television, and behind-the-scenes secrets. Podcast guests include creators Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Laura Wade, and director Elliot Hegarty.
Laura Wade is an Olivier Award-winning playwright. The podcast will feature returning cast members such as David Tennant, who plays Lord Tony Baddingham in Rivals. Alex Hassell plays Rupert Campbell-Black, and Aidan Turner plays Declan O’Hara.
Nafessa Williams portrays Cameron Cook, while Bella Maclean plays Taggie O’Hara. Katherine Parkinson appears as Lizzie Vereker, and Danny Dyer plays Freddie Jones. Victoria Smurfit plays Maud O’Hara, and Claire Rushbrook portrays Lady Monica Baddingham.
Oliver Chris plays James Vereker, and Lisa McGrillis appears as Valerie Jones. Emily Atack plays Sarah Stratton, with Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton. Luca Pasqualino portrays Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Annabel Scholey plays Beattie Johnson, and Gary Lamont appears as Charles Fairburn.
The podcast will launch on Disney+ and other podcast platforms. New episodes will roll out through to the season two finale. Rivals season two returns in two six-episode batches. The second batch of episodes follows later in the year.
Rivals is a Hulu Original series made by ITV Studios’ Happy Prince. The series launched in 2024. Rivals became Disney+’s most-viewed general entertainment series in Britain in 2024. U.K. drama launch of 2024.
The series is adapted from Jilly Cooper’s books. It is set in the Cotswolds countryside and the 1980s British television world. Disney+ confirmed in August that Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett would join Rivals.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-05-15
Rivals: The Official Podcast launches on May 15 in line with the season two launch.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - Later in 2026
The second batch of Rivals season two episodes follows later in the year.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - August 2025
Disney+ confirmed in August that Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett would join Rivals.
1 sourceDisney+ - 2024
Rivals launched in 2024.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter - 2024
Rivals became Disney+’s most-viewed general entertainment series in Britain in 2024.
1 sourceThe Hollywood Reporter
Potential Impact
- 01
Enhanced promotion for cast and creators via podcast appearances.
- 02
Increased viewer engagement for Rivals season two through companion podcast content.
- 03
Boost in Disney+ subscriptions in the U.K. following the podcast and series launch.
- 04
Potential rise in interest for Jilly Cooper’s books due to podcast discussions.
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