The wait is nearly over. Rivals returns to Disney+ in November. WARNING, spoilers!

Based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s much-loved Rutshire Chronicles, the second half of the series promises more betrayal, ambition, bad behaviour and very expensive-looking chaos across the Cotswolds. Rivals returns to Disney+ on 11 November, when the first three of six new episodes will arrive together.

The story picks up after the dramatic mid-season finale, with Tony Baddingham and Declan O’Hara still locked in battle, while Rupert Campbell-Black finds himself facing rather more personal problems.

There is plenty going on around them too. Expect hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night drama, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, with affairs unravelling, alliances changing, and several characters discovering that secrets never stay secret for long.

Taggie O’Hara remains caught in the middle of the increasingly vicious franchise war, while questions over love, loyalty and ambition run through the final six episodes.

Most of the main cast return, including David Tennant as Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, Bella Maclean as Taggie, Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton and Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara.

And of course, there’s the love story we’re all rooting for, with Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones. We can’t wait!

They are joined by several new faces. Rachael Stirling plays Araminta Pemberton, Lady Monica Baddingham’s vampish younger sister, while Rupert Evans arrives as headmaster David Hawkley and Santiago Cabrera joins as Argentinian polo legend Alejandro Mendoza.

Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett also return as guest stars Helen and Malise Gordon respectively.

If the first half was all lust, power and social warfare, the second looks set to turn the temperature up further. And with the action heading through autumn and into Christmas, it should make very good cold-weather viewing.

Rivals season two returns to Disney+ on 11 November.