What's on Disney+ in May

Rivals Season 2 (May 15)

Disney+ has confirmed the award-winning hit series, “Rivals” will return for its second season on 15^th May with even more drama, wit and desire. The second season continues the adaptation of the late and much-missed Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved novel, “Rivals”, introducing the glamorous world of polo and surprising new twists, alongside heightened boardroom drama and deeper romantic entanglements. The Hulu Original series will return in two six-episode batches, the first will debut on May 15 with a three-episode premiere and the second batch will follow later in the year on Disney+.

The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase. More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power. 

Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos. Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?

Reprising their iconic roles are David Tennant (‘Doctor Who’, ‘The Thursday Murder Club’) as Lord Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell (‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’, ‘The Boys’) as Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner (‘Poldark’, ‘The Hobbit Trilogy’) as Declan O’Hara, Nafessa Williams (‘Black Lightning’, ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’) as Cameron Cook, Bella Maclean (‘Sex Education’, ‘London Tide’) as Taggie O’Hara, Katherine Parkinson (‘Humans’, ‘Here We Go’) as Lizzie Vereker, Danny Dyer (‘EastEnders', ‘The Football Factory’) as Freddie Jones, Victoria Smurfit (‘Bloodlands’, ‘Once Upon A Time’) as Maud O’Hara, Claire Rushbrook (‘Sherwood’, ‘Ali and Ava’) as Lady Monica Baddingham, Oliver Chris (‘The Crown’, ‘Trying’) as James Vereker, Lisa McGrillis (‘Maternal’, ‘Mum’) as Valerie Jones, Emily Atack (‘The Emily Atack Show’, ‘The Inbetweeners’) as Sarah Stratton, Rufus Jones (‘W1A’, ‘Home’) as Paul Stratton, Luca Pasqualino (‘The Musketeers’, ‘Shantaram’) as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara (‘Wild Cherry’, ‘Pistol’), Annabel Scholey (‘The Split’) as Beattie Johnson, Gary Lamont (‘Boiling Point’, ‘Outlander’) as Charles Fairburn, Hubert Burton (‘Wolf Hall’, ‘Living’) as Gerald Middleton, Gabriel Tierney (‘Enola Holmes 2’, ‘The Winter King’) as Patrick O’Hara, Lara Peake (‘How To Have Sex’, ‘Reunion’) as Daysee Butler and Bryony Hannah (‘Talamasca’, 'Call The Midwife') as Dierdre Kilpatrick.

This season also sees the addition of new guest stars, Hayley Atwell (‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Agent Carter’) as Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, and Rupert Everett (‘Napoleon’, ‘My Policeman’) as her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor. Further names joining the ensemble include Maxim Ays (‘Boarders’, ‘Sanditon’), Holly Cattle (‘Young Sherlock’, ‘Mr Loverman’), Oliver Dench (‘Hotel Portofino’,  ‘Domina’), Amanda Lawrence (‘Malory Towers, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Bobby Lockwood (‘Wolfblood, Here We Go’), Eliot Salt (‘Slow Horses’, ‘Normal People’), and Jonny Weldon (‘One Day’, ‘Brassic’).

“Rivals”, made by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios, is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (‘A Very English Scandal’, ‘Holding’, ‘EastEnders’), Alexander Lamb (‘Ackley Bridge’, ‘The Bay’, ‘We Hunt Together’), Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty (‘Cheaters’, ‘Ted Lasso’), Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (‘The Riot Club’), “Rivals” author Dame Jilly Cooper and for Disney+, Jonny Richards. Eliza Mellor (‘The Midwich Cuckoos’, ‘Behind Her Eyes’, ‘Poldark’) returns as Series Producer. It is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh and Dare Aiyegbayo, directed by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson and Dee Koppang O’Leary.  “Rivals” is based on the novel of the same name, part of Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles. The series was commissioned by VP Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA, Lee Mason.

12 May

Tucci in Italy: Season 2

Disney+ Premiere

Stanley Tucci believes that the best way to understand what makes a country unique is through its food. Nowhere is this truer than in Italy, where even the shape of the pasta and the sauce served with it can speak directly to identity and sharply differentiate each region. He is returning to visit five new regions, including one he’s never featured before, Le Marche, with many culinary delights that have escaped the attention of international tourists. In Campania, and its famed capital of Naples, he celebrates a once-forgotten vine grape, and in Veneto, he deliciously wades into the controversy over the origins of tiramisu. Stanley also visits two very different Islands: Sardinia, where he explores the relationship between food and longevity, and Sicily, where a multicultural history has left a delicious mark on its cuisine.

13 May

A Marvel Television Special Presentation: The Punisher: One Last Kill

Disney+ Premiere

As Frank Castle searches for meaning beyond revenge, an unexpected force pulls him back into the fight.

13 May

The Testament of Ann Lee

Disney+ Premiere

From award-winning writer-director Mona Fastvold (The World to Come, The Brutalist) comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers. Academy Award® nominee Amanda Seyfried stars as the Shaker's irrepressible leader, who preached gender and social equality and was revered by her followers. The Testament of Ann Lee captures the ecstasy and agony of her quest to build a utopia, featuring more than a dozen traditional Shaker hymns reimagined as rapturous movements with choreography by Celia Rowlson-Hall (Vox Lux) and original songs & score by Academy Award® winner Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist).

15 May

FX's Welcome to Wrexham: Season 5

Hulu Original Series

In 2020, Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds teamed up to purchase the 5th tier Red Dragons in the hopes of turning the Club into an underdog story the whole world could root for. The world took notice and the Club made history, achieving back-to-back-to-back promotions, catapulting the Reds into the English Football League’s Championship for the first time in over four decades.

Top Picks for ESPN on Disney+ May

May 

NBA

NBA Playoffs: Conference Semi-Finals and Conference Finals

May

NHL

NHL Playoffs: Second Round and Conference Finals

24 May

UEFA

UEFA Women’s Champions League Final

ALSO IN MAY

1 May

Movies

Bridesmaids

Ted

Ted 2

Hulu

Travis Japan Summer Vacation!! in the USA

Impure: Season 6

The Boss: Season 4

2 May

ESPN

UWCL

Semi-Final (Leg 2): Lyon vs Arsenal

 

3 May

ESPN

Pakistan Super League Final

UWCL

Semi-Final (Leg 2): Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich

 

4 May

Special

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu: A Special Look

ESPN

NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball National Championship

 

6 May

Hulu

R.J. Decker

Will Trent: Season 4

 

8 May

Series

Playdate with Winnie the Pooh (Shorts): Season 3

 

10 May

ESPN

WNBA Season Tip-off

 

12 May

ESPN

MLB

Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals

 

13 May

Series

Dragon Striker: Meet the Players (Shorts)

 

15 May

Hulu

Lisa Ann Walter: It was an Accident

Series

Minnie's Bow-Toons: Pet Hotel

 

16 May

ESPN

Sports Fishing Championship – Walkers Cay Open

 

20 May

Series

Family Guy: Season 23

Betrayal: Secrets and Lies

'Ndrangheta: World Wide Mafia: Season 1

 

24 May

ESPN

Brazilian Series A: Gremio vs. Santos

 

25 May

ESPN

NCAA Women’s Lacrosse National Championship

 

26 May

Series

Sofia the First: Royal Magic (Disney+ Premiere)

ESPN

Last Train To North America (Episode 5 & 6)

NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Championship

 

27 May

ESPN

World Series of Poker begins

MLB

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

 

28 May

Hulu

Deli Boys: Season 2

 

29 May

Series

RoboGobo: Season 2 (New Batch)

Criminal Minds: Evolution: Season 19

ESPN

NCAA Women’s College Softball World Series (Game 1)

 

New Episodes

The Testaments New Episode on Wednesdays

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord Season Finale on Monday 4 May

Grey's Anatomy: Season 22 New Episode on Saturdays

9-1-1: Nashville New Episode on Saturdays

Bob's Burgers: Season 16 New Episode on Wednesdays

Daredevil: Born Again: Season 2 Season Finale on Wednesday 6 May

Daredevil: Born Again Official Podcast Season Finale on Wednesday 6 May

The Flowers of Evil New Episode on Fridays

Gold Land New Episode on Wednesdays

Hey A.J.! New New Batch on Wednesday 13 May

Magicampers New Batch on Friday 1 May

MAO New Episode on Sundays

Mission: Yozakura Family: Season 2 New Episode on Sundays

NearlyParents New Episode on Fridays

Perfect Crown New Episodes on Saturdays and Sundays

Rooster Fighter New Episode on Sundays