Rivals is just days away from returning to our screens, and on Wednesday, the stars descended upon London to mark the show's premiere.
The likes of Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, David Tennant and Aidan Turner were seen arriving at the BFI IMAX Waterloo to celebrate the show's return.
Set in the high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the second outing sees "power struggles escalate and rivalries deepen" whilst "ambition drives every move" and loyalties are pushed to the edge.
The story is based on the second book in Cooper's The Rutshire Chronicles series and will be told over 12 episodes, which is four up from the 8-part first season.
Hi, I'm Iona. I'm Lucy, and we've just wrapped at the Rivals premiere this evening in London. It was so much fun, and Lucy and I have actually already watched two episodes already at a screener, so we do know what's to come, and this season is going to be very good. So one of my top moments this evening was, of course, seeing David Tennant, and he was in a purple velvet suit this evening, looking very dapper. He was in good spirits, chatting to everyone, and he is absolutely fantastic in this new season. Another of my top moments was Emily Atack and her co star Rufus [Jones]. They're so like their couple in person, obviously, Emily is engaged, but in real life, you can tell that they have so much chemistry. And she was even talking about inviting the rivals cast to her wedding, and Rufus was talking about doing a speech at Emily's wedding, which I thought was really sweet.
And so for my top moments of the carpet while we were all standing around, it was absolutely freezing, and we captured a very cute moment between Alex [Hassell] and Bella [Maclean]. Alex offered Bella his jacket because she was shaking with the cold, and it was just very, very sweet, very true to their on screen dynamic. Another moment was when Victoria Smurfit's PR came over to us, telling us how much of a fan she was of Hello, and asking if we would like to chat with her, which, of course, we really wanted to chat with her. So that was great to learn that Victoria was a fan of Hello.
See the best photos from the premiere below…
© Getty ImagesEmily shimmered at the premiere
Emily Atack
Emily was a silver siren as she arrived at the premiere in a show-stopping frock. The blonde bombshell, who plays Sarah Stratton, looked ravishing in the figure-hugging outfit as she posed for the cameras.
On the red carpet, she was joined by her co-star Rufus Jones, whom she referred to as her "telly hubby". She stopped to chat with Best Quality Designer Handbag and revealed details about her upcoming wedding to Dr Alistair Garner.
She told us: "They are coming to every single thing I ever do for the rest of my life!"
"We're having to attend everyone's weddings, funerals," her co-star chimed in. Emily explained he would be delivering a reading on her big day. "He's my telly hubby, so yeah, he's going to be doing a reading!" Rufus joked, "I'm a fantasy husband and she's just having to settle for the real thing."
© Getty ImagesDanny turned heads as he arrived
Danny Dyer
Danny plays Freddie Jones in the hit period drama, and he looked handsomely rugged in a sharp suit.
© Getty ImagesDavid was joined by his nearest and dearest
David Tennant
David turned the premiere into a family affair, as he was joined by his wife, Georgia, and daughter, Olive at the event. The star, who plays Lord Baddingham, looked excellent in a velvet suit, while Georgia rocked a daring turquoise mini-dress, and Olive, who will appear in the new season, looked sophisticated in a stylish black dress.
© Getty ImagesHow handsome!
Aidan Turner
Aidan looked so dapper as he arrived in a stylish suit for the premiere. The star plays Declan O'Hara in the period drama.
© Getty ImagesThe apir almost looked like an item!
Alex Hassle and Bella Maclean
Alex and Bella turned heads as they arrived at the show. The pair play love interests of each other's characters, and it's not surprise that Alex ended up offering his co-star his jacket!
© Getty ImagesVictoria Smurfit and Claire Rushbrook
Victoria Smurfit, who plays Maud, the wife of Aidan Turner's suave Declan O'Hara, wowed in a light mint-coloured crystal-embellished one-shoulder Stella McCartney maxi dress. She walked the carpet with David Tennant's on-screen wife, Claire Rushbrook, who wore a kaftan-style burgundy midi-dress.
The duo reflected on the cast's famed chemistry, both on-set and off, and told us, "It's fair to say for all of us it was like just slipping back into a comfortable warm side of the bed. It really felt like no time had passed at all. The minute we all got back to set, it was like opening the door to the sandpit and all the kids racing out and eating sand - and that was us!"
© Getty ImagesKatherine was among the stars present
Katherine Parkinson
Katherine looked spectacular as she rocked an eye-catching multicoloured dress at the premiere. The star plays romance author Lizzie Vereker in the show.
© Getty ImagesThere was no missing Rufus!
Rufus Jones
There was no missing Rufus at the premiere as the star, who plays Paul Stratton, rocked up in a white suit.
© Getty ImagesHayley nailed her look
Hayley Atwell
Hayley will be joining the show for its second season, and the star looked sublime in a pinstripe suit.
© Getty ImagesWhat a look from Lisa!
Lisa McGrillis
Lisa's character in Rivals might like garish designs, but for the premiere, she rocked up in a show-stopping number, that featured a daring semi-sheer section.
© Getty ImagesNafessa commanded attention
Nafessa Williams
Nafessa plays Cameron Cook in the hit series, and the star brought such a glamorous look as she stepped out for the premiere.
© Getty ImagesLuke stood out from the crowd
Luke Pasqualino
Luke plays resident pub-owner Basil, and he made sure to stand out from the crowd in a glittering blue shirt.
© Getty ImagesStanley looked smart alongside Felicity
Stanley Tucci
Although Stanley doesn't star in the series, he looked very dapper in a grey suit as he arrived with his wife, Felicity Blunt, who looked flawless in a red dress. Who knows, maybe the pair would star in a third season…
© Getty ImagesPenny looked so stylish
Penny Lancaster
Penny looked like she wouldn't have been out of place in the Rivals universe with her glamorous polka-dot ensemble.
