Rivals season 2 creators reveal how late author Jilly Cooper gave notes on final Hulu and Disney+ scripts just 'days' before her death: 'her
fingerprints are all over this series'

Date:
Wed, 13 May 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Description:
Rivals season 2 is pressing ahead on Hulu and Disney+ with one stark missing ingredient: author Jilly Cooper. But even in the days before her death, she was giving script notes to showrunners.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Even though I'm excited for new episodes of Rivals season 2 to drop on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (international), they are already tinged with sadness.

In October 2025, it was announced that Rutshire Chronicles author Dame Jilly Cooper had died shortly after a fall aged 88. With season 2 already in production by this point, thoughts quickly turned to how the series and its future would be impacted by the news. Not only was the first season of
Rivals incredibly faithful to Cooper's brand of humor, smut and debauchery, but she even had a surprise cameo appearance during episode 5. Look closely, and you'll see her sitting behind Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) in a
restaurant during a meeting with her literary agent. Latest Videos From You may like Rivals season 2 episodes 1-3 release date and time on Hulu and Disney+ Rivals season 2 review: less sex, more stress in Hulu and Disney+ show's return Rivals season 2 trailer released, episodes split into two batches Rivals might be a show for viewers, but it's Cooper's creation
through and through. But if you're worried about the series course-correcting away from her vision in her absence, fear not. According to the show's creative team, not only did Cooper sign off of all 12 season 2 episode scripts, but she was giving notes up until a few days before her death. 'We miss her so much. It was incredibly hard' Rivals Season 2 | Official Trailer
| Hulu - YouTube Watch On "Jilly signed off every script of the 12 and was on set for quite a lot of production as well," executive producer Alexander Lamb tells me. "So it feels that this series totally has Jilly's seal of approval. She's an exec producer which she's credited for, and was giving me notes on the Thursday before she died on episode 12.

"Her fingerprints are all over this series, and we'd also sat with her and talked about season 3 and the future, about how to mould the other books around Rivals . We've got her blessing on things. We've got her notes written down. She's always with us." Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

And thank God she is. The creative team doesn't just have the rights to adapt Rivals for the small screen, but for the entirety of the Rutshire Chronicles. Riders , Tackle! , Apassionata , you name it... each book is ripe for adaptation (and in a way, Polo is already sneaking into view).

"Felicity Blunt (yes, the sister of Emily married to Stanley Tucci), her agent, is sort of Jilly's representative on Earth, like the Pope is for God," Dominic Treadwell-Collins adds. "She sit there, go, 'I don't know if Jilly would like that.' And Jilly's assistant Amanda is also still with us and came to our cast and crew screening.

"It feels that with Amanda, Felicity and Jilly's family that we've got there, but we miss her.So much. And it was really hard. The week after she died, I had to keep writing, and my desk has presents, letters and books all from her... it was hard. Her memorial was amazing, like a really good party. She always said that a funeral is last party you ever throw, so it should be your best."

For the rest of us not in attendance, Rivals season 2 is the best kind of memorial that we could ask for. Get raucously drunk and watch this group of insufferable people air their dirty laundry, and you'll be making her proud. Today's best Hulu deals Get first month free Hulu - Monthly (with Ads) $7.99 $9.99 /mth View at Hulu Get First Month Free Hulu (No Ads) $18.99 /mth View
at Hulu Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/hulu/rivals-season-2-jilly-cooper-death-di sney-plus


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