David Tennant

Audiences are intrigued by the star portraying the brand-new character in the Disney+ series

Rivals season two is heating up with new additions arriving in Rutshire.

The beloved Disney+ show recently returned to screens with a super-sized season two and a total of 12 episodes for audiences to get their teeth stuck into.

The new series of Rivals picked up straight off the back of the last outing as Tony Baddingham (played by David Tennant) planned to exact revenge on his Venturer TV rivals Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Declan O’ Hara (Aidan Turner).

Season two also brought into the fold some new faces in the form of Maxim Ays from The Larkins and Sanditon as Sebbie Carlisle and Wolfblood actor Bobby Lockwood portraying Dommie Carlisle.

Meanwhile, Marvel’s Agent Carter and Heartstopper star Hayley Atwell took on the part of the MP’s ex-wife and mother to his two children, Helen Gordon.

But what about her husband Malise Gordon, who was also Campbell-Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor?

Here’s the lowdown on the star playing Malise in Rivals season two.

Who plays Malise in Rivals?

Malise is played by Hollywood star Rupert Everett, who is perhaps best known for 90s romcom My Best Friend’s Wedding alongside Julia Roberts and period drama An Ideal Husband.

With a career dating back to the 80s, Everett has had roles across film and TV and various genres.

Some of his previous projects include BBC ’s The Musketeers in which he starred opposite Rivals star Luke Pasqualino, The Happy Prince, Parade’s End, My Policeman, Everybody Loves Diamond, and The Serpent Queen.

Some of his more recent roles have included appearing in Nicola Coughlan ’s Channel 4 series Big Mood, Netflix ’s Emily in Paris and Madfabulous.

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A Disney+ subscribtion now starts at £5.99 per month and provides access to hit series like Rivals, Only Murders in the Building and The Bear, plus countless titles from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and more.

According to IMDb, Everett will be appeared in The Liar, The Resurrection of the Christ parts 2 and two and Out Late.

Speaking to the Radio Times about the dynamic between Campbell-Black and the Gordons, star Hassell teased that the couple had “really strong, fairly negative feelings” about the amorous politician and former Olympian.

Despite this, the pair were also “protective” towards Campbell-Black even though he had “really really hurt” them endlessly and they were “at the end of their tether”.

Rivals season 2 airs on Disney+ on Fridays

Rivals has made a comeback and so has Lord Tony Baddingham.

Rivals Season 2 is here with stars teasing that it’s “even better” than before.

Fans couldn’t help but fall in love with the adaptation of late author Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series back in 2024 and thankfully, it’s back for more.

First time around, fans got absorbed into the ruthless battle between ex-Olympian Rupert Campbell-Black (played by Alex Hassell) and media mogul Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant).

After plenty of scandal, the 1980s comedy-drama returns and so does Baddingham as he seeks to get his revenge against Rupert and his former employee Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner).

But what does he intend to do to bring them and their rival television company Venturer to the ground?

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Disney+ is offering a discounted subscription at £3.99 per month for three months when signing up by May 6. This provides cheaper access to hit series like Rivals, Only Murders in the Building and The Bear, plus countless titles from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and more.

Where to watch Rivals TV series in the UK

Rivals will be returning to its UK home on Disney Plus for Season 2 where all 12 episodes of the new series will become available.

The lowest price subscription for the streamer is £5.99 per month with adverts, followed by £9.99 for the standard ad-free plan.

Then there is the premium £14.99 per month subscription package which promises ad-free streamer and “top-tier audio/visual quality and offline viewing capabilities”.

As well as Rivals, Disney Plus is also home to an extensive library of other hit shows including The Bear, Grey’s Anatomy, Love Story and The Mandalorian, just to name a few.

So far, only the first three episodes of Rivals Season 2 are currently available to watch on Disney Plus. After this, the next three instalments are going to be released every Friday so episode four will be out on Friday, May 22.

However, as of yet, there is no official release date for the second half of Season 2 which will consist of a further six episodes. The streamer has only revealed that Rivals will be back sometime later this year.

Teasing what fans can expect from the new season, actress Victoria Smurfit said on Lorraine: “We shot 12 episodes, so it meant we could get deeper into the characters.

“We could get funnier, more outrageous, more heartfelt, more love – it’s really juicy, and it’s even better, if that’s possible.”

Rivals season two continues to air every Friday on Disney Plus.

The acclaimed crime drama starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman won three BAFTAs and has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers comparing it to ‘Shakespeare writes a detective story’

One of Britain’s most beloved drama series of all time has just landed on Netflix. This gripping crime show scooped three Baftas and has been celebrated as one of the finest productions ever to grace our television screens. The iconic 2013 series Broadchurch has finally made its way to the streaming giant.

The show is a police drama which opens with the murder of 11 year old Danny Latimer, whose body is discovered at the foot of the cliffs.

The tragedy tears apart the tight-knit Dorset community, forcing DS Ellie Miller ( Olivia Colman ) to join forces with newcomer Alec Hardy ( David Tennant ) – despite him having stolen the DI role that was rightfully hers – as they attempt to crack the heartbreaking case.

What follows is a twisting tale of betrayal, suspicion and the dark underbelly of a small coastal town. Unlike conventional cop dramas, this isn’t about high-speed car chases and gun-wielding heroes sprinting through tower blocks.

Rather, it delves into the profound flaws we all harbour, the quiet moments of anguish that accompany unimaginable grief, and the perils of public opinion.

It features one of the most stunning plot twists I’ve ever encountered – and I watch an enormous amount of television. The series is truly an extraordinary experience, with performances that are nothing short of outstanding, reports the Express.

There isn’t a single weak link in the entire cast, and despite being over a decade old, it remains as compelling as ever.

And I’m far from alone in my admiration. Broadchurch boasts a remarkable 94% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating alongside an 8.3 out of 10 on IMDB.

One viewer posted on IMDB: “This is ‘Shakespeare writes a detective story’. It was beautifully done. In no way has he [writer Chris Chibnall] broken the cardinal rule of show, don’t tell.

“Nor has he made the horrible mistake of creating any perfect character. All of them, from youngest to oldest, are wonderfully imperfect human beings.”

A second remarked: “The locations are gorgeous and so atmospheric, and the series is beautifully photographed, fluid and brooding. The music is both haunting and tragic.”

A third added: “Standing out also is the writing. It’s rare to find on television recently to have a series so intelligently written and be so layered and meaty.

“While the pacing is deliberate in places, a lot happens to keep one gripped and ensure that the tension and mystery never slips.”