Rivals Season 2 Returns to the West Country
The highly anticipated second season of Rivals has officially arrived on Disney+, bringing viewers back to the scandalous and high-stakes world of Rutshire.
Following a dramatic cliffhanger involving Tony Baddingham and the ongoing tension between Taggie and Rupert Campbell-Black, the production has returned to its roots in the West Country.
The majority of filming for the new episodes took place in Bristol and its surrounding areas, with the cast and crew revisiting familiar haunts and scouting new locales.
Core Production and Studio Facilities
While the exterior beauty of the Cotswolds defines the show’s aesthetic, much of the technical work happened behind closed doors in professional facilities.
- TBY2: Internal scenes for the second season were filmed at this site, which is part of The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol.
- Studio Scale: The Bottle Yard Studios is recognized as the largest filming studio site in the West of England.
- Strategic Location: Using a Bristol base allowed for easy access to the various rural locations required for the 1980s period drama.
The production also ventured further afield this season, incorporating scenes filmed in Ireland to depict a specific project involving characters Cameron and Declan.
Iconic Bristol Landmarks in Season 2
Bristol dwellers and eagle-eyed viewers will recognize several prominent landmarks that serve as the backdrop for the show’s urban sequences.
One of the most significant locations used this season is Canons House, a Grade II-listed landmark situated at the city’s harbourside.
According to locations manager Joel Holmes, Canons House was a favorite filming space because its architecture was perfect for the period and versatile enough to serve as multiple sets.
- Manhattan Restaurant: The building was transformed to represent a high-end eatery in New York.
- Heathrow Airport: Sections of the property were staged to look like the arrivals area of the major international hub.
- IBA Offices: The building’s exterior, foyer, and corridors portrayed the headquarters of the Independent Broadcasting Authority.
- The Scorpion: The office foyer for the fictional publication was also housed within this single location.
Other notable Bristol spots featured in the series include Queen Square and the Harbour Hotel Bristol, which appear in various exterior shots throughout the season.
Stately Homes: Penscombe Court and The Falconry
The opulent lifestyle of the historic British estates is a central theme in Rivals, requiring grand real-life manors to represent the characters’ residences.
Rupert Campbell-Black’s home, known in the show as Penscombe Court, is actually Ammerdown House in Somerset.
This Grade I-listed Georgian country house was designed by James Wyatt in 1788 for the Jolliffe family, who continue to own the estate today.
Tony and Monica Baddingham reside in The Falconry, which is portrayed by Neston Park near Corsham in Wiltshire.
- Age and Heritage: The main house dates back to 1790 and sits on a 2,000-acre private estate.
- Filming History: Neston Park is a veteran location, having appeared in Poldark, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Persuasion.
- Public Access: While usually closed to the public, the estate will host the WOMAD Music festival this year.
The Priory and Other Character Residences
Declan O’Hara’s family home, The Priory, is depicted as a slightly run-down Elizabethan manor that remains a cozy family environment.
The real-world location for The Priory is Chavenage House in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, located within the Cotswolds.
Actor Aiden Turner was already familiar with Chavenage House before filming Rivals, as the property served as Trenwith, the Poldark family home, during his time on that series.
The production also moved into South East Wales to find the perfect setting for Freddie and Valerie’s house.
- Location: Woodbank House in Llanhennock, Monmouthshire.
- History: Originally a 19th-century cottage, it has been significantly extended.
- Current Use: The property now functions as a family-run boutique venue for weddings and events.
Cameron Cook’s terraced home is portrayed by Berkeley House, located at 16 The Chipping in the market town of Tetbury.
Transforming the West Country into Cotchester
While various towns in the Cotswolds were used to depict Rutshire, the town of Corsham in Wiltshire was the primary stand-in for Cotchester.
Corsham is located roughly 20 minutes from Bath and is known for its historic streets and thriving arts scene.
Several local businesses underwent significant changes to fit the 1980s aesthetic of the series during the production period.
- Cotchester Convenience Store: A local homeware store in Corsham was entirely transformed for the show.
- Bar Sinister: The Royal Oak pub was reimagined as this fictional establishment.
- Rutshire Cup: The polo sequence for the Rutshire Cup used Berkeley Castle as its backdrop.
The production team worked extensively to capture the scenic Cotswolds charm while ensuring the period-appropriate details were maintained across all filming sites.
International Filming and Environmental Challenges
Cast member Nafessa Williams, who plays Cameron Cook, noted that while she grew to miss Bristol, the filming in Ireland presented different challenges.
The Irish sequences were filmed during the middle of winter, resulting in very wet, rainy, and cold conditions for the actors.
Despite the weather, Williams described the experience as a “fun and challenging” part of bringing the second season to life.
Rivals season 2 is currently available for streaming on Disney+, showcasing these diverse locations across the UK and Ireland.
