Rivals star Emily Atack has landed a brand new legal drama on the BBC, which she will star in alongside an Oscar nominee, a star of The Crown and a Mad Men actress12:50, 22 May 2026Emily Atack has lined up her next role after playing Sarah Stratton in hit 1980s romp Rivals, as she has joined an upcoming "audacious" legal drama for the BBC. She will join an already stacked cast for Reputation - which includes an Oscar nominee.‌Reputation is set to be a six part series following a formidable lawyer, played by Oscar nominee Naomie Harris, who represents a global pop star, played by Mad Men's Christina Hendricks, when she accuses her ex-husband of abusive behaviour and a libel battle ensues.‌The BBC have described the show as "an audacious and glossy new drama that shows what happens when a celebrity legal battle spirals out of control".‌READ MORE: Rivals TV bosses make change for Aiden Turner after fan campaignREAD MORE: Danny Dyer unrecognisable in first ever TV appearance with Hollywood A-list starHarris, whose character will "put her own personal life in the line of fire", has said: "I was hooked from page one of Reputation. It's so rare to read scripts with the wit and flair of Anya's writing and I knew straight away that I wanted to play Lena.” Meanwhile, Hendricks said she was "delighted" to work with Harris.Atack's role in the show hasn't been revealed, but her co-stars will also include The Crown's Alex Jennings, Interstellar's David Gyasi, Andor's Kyle Soller and former EastEnders star Tilly Keeper.‌The news comes as a new episode of Rivals series two was released. The hit Disney+ show returned last week with three episodes and released a fourth on 22 May. Atack has been strongly praised for her role as Sarah Stratton in series two. In the second series, Sarah's world is overturned when she realises she is pregnant - and her husband isn't the father.Based on the books by the late Jilly Cooper, Rivals is a bonkbuster set in rural 1980s England, as two TV production companies go head to head to compete for a franchise.‌Speaking about the Inbetweeners star's role in the show, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, who used to work with the BBC on EastEnders, said: "Emily has got comedy bones and has shown that she can do so much.“She reminds me of my friend Barbara Windsor because she’s someone who you assume is a funny little bubbly blonde - and actually has a steel, and can control a room.”Fellow executive producer Felicity Blunt - formerly Cooper's literary agent - agreed: “Emily is utterly brilliant in season two - she’s like Barbara Windsor crossed with a bit of Marilyn Monroe, where you have that gorgeous sort of icon of a woman. Much like Jilly! You can't be a brilliant actor unless you understand comedy, and she really does.”Article continues belowAmid her busy work schedule, Atack has been planning her wedding to Alistair Garner. The Rivals star, 36, confirmed the date of her wedding to Dr Alistair Garner for the first time after her mum, actress Kate Robbins, 67, let slip the big day would be taking place "later this year".Speaking about the wedding planning, she revealed: "I think I've nailed it. We're getting married in September. I've very much enjoyed the planning process. Choosing napkins and stuff. I'm like, 'My God, my life is here!'"Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .