Emily Atack and Alex Hassell among Rivals stars at screening for second series

By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter

Emily Atack and Alex Hassell were among the Rivals stars in attendance at a special preview screening for the highly anticipated second series on Thursday.

The award-winning Disney+ show is based on the best-selling novel written by Dame Jilly Cooper, who died unexpectedly last October aged 88, and follows the high-stakes world of British television with the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside.

Atack, who plays the raunchy Sarah Stratton in the series, was among the celebrities gathered at the Soho Hotel in London for the star-studded screening, ahead of the release of Rivals’ second series next month.

The 36-year-old actress, known for The Inbetweeners, wore a bunched-up black satin shirt, a maxi black skirt and closed-toe heels and dressed the classic outfit up with a chic updo.

She was joined on the pink carpet by co-stars including Hassell, who opted for a black suede jacket over a navy satin shirt.

The 45-year-old actor, who stars in the show as Rupert Campbell-Black, dressed down his outfit with a pair of black jeans, and posed for photos alongside Bella Maclean – who plays his love interest Taggie O’Hara.

Maclean, 28, wore a light pink backless dress with an cinched waist and an a-line skirt, and her auburn hair was in natural waves.

Skins star Luca Pasqualino wore a pinstripe black suit and a matching shirt, while Katherine Parkinson was wearing a black blazer with exaggerated shoulder pads, and a matching pleated maxi skirt.

Victoria Smurfit, known as Maud O’Hara in the hit series, also opted for a black outfit wearing a simple dress with an a-line maxi skirt, and matching mule heels.

Other stars in attendance include Rufus Jones, who plays Paul Stratton in the drama, and Claire Rushbrook, who plays Lady Monica Baddingham, the wife of David Tennant’s ruthless TV mogul character, Lord Tony Baddingham.

Nafessa Williams was all smiles as she dazzled crowds in a satin pink corset and a navy pinstripe suit, while Lisa McGrillis wowed in an oversized light grey suit, which she dressed down with a black shirt underneath.

The second series of Rivals will return to Disney+ on May 15TH.