The 'Rivals' series returns to screens, bringing continued scandals, betrayals, and extravagant dramas, this time focusing on intrigues that take place outside the characters' bedrooms. Reviews and analyses contain spoilers for the second season of the production. 'Rivals' is appreciated as one of the best television series, thanks to its carefully chosen cast that brings together British and Irish talents, strong soundtracks, spectacular visuals, and high-stakes dramas, while maintaining specific elements of illicit business affairs. After the shocking death of character Monica Baddingham in the mid-season finale, the narrative becomes darker, exploring how grief, guilt, and betrayal consume both beloved and unlikable characters, as the fight for the TV franchise continues and the consequences of personal actions begin to take concrete forms. In a world dominated by power, sex, and status, Monica's death triggers a reckoning for the residents of Rutshire, deeply affecting her husband Tony, played by David Tennant. Characterized as one of the least likable figures on small screens, he grows darker and more threatening as loss pushes him down a path of ruthless destruction, declaring that he has nothing left to lose and must fight. The consequences of Monica's death also affect others: Maud is overwhelmed with guilt regarding the circumstances of her death and her relationship with Tony, while their children, Archie and Caitlin, must deal with their parents' questionable behavior. Although the nuances are darker, the series does not abandon explosive confrontations and spectacular insults typical of the genre, offering chaotic dramas that audiences are accustomed to, often delivered in unexpected moments. Narrative checks if character Lizzie earns her moment of glory, providing a note of warmth amidst the deepening chaos. Having put others' needs before her own, Lizzie finds her spark again, both through a secret romantic relationship with Freddie and professionally, when the Venturer studio purchases the TV rights to her book. There are clear parallels between Lizzie and her author, Dame Jilly Cooper, a confession previously made by actress Katherine Parkinson, who felt honored to take on this responsibility. Despite the battle between Corinium and Venturer, Lizzie seems to be the only one winning, provided her husband doesn't find out about her love story. Monica's death leads them all to, it leads them all to, it leads them all to, it leads them all to, it leads them all to. For them all, it leads them all to, it leads them all to, it leads them all to. Rivals returns on Disney+ on November 11 with a three-episode premiere, followed by one episode per week until December 2. [1]

As the story develops

Update

Review Rivals Season 2: The Drama Deepens, But Stays Just as Intense

Review Rivals Season 2: The Drama Deepens, But Stays Just as Intense [2]

The second half of *Rivals*’ second season returns the series to its peerless status as a top-tier television drama, contrasting sharply with the first part, which had struggled to avoid becoming a soap opera while retaining its signature 1980s cheese. As the final six episodes arrive, the show re-establishes its reputation for being hilarious, filled with twisting machinations and convincing character development, giving its stellar cast ample material to deliver powerful performances. The central premise remains focused on the fallout of illicit relationships, but the execution is sharper and more compelling, blending the necessary humor with genuine emotional weight to represent television at its very best. [2]

The narrative of the second half rests entirely on the aftermath of Monica Baddingham’s death, opening at her funeral where her husband, Tony, played by David Tennant, appears lost without her yet defiantly uncoward. Rather than breaking, Tony loses his conscience, wielding a shotgun to force guests out of the house and even sending his children away, leading his son to retort that he wishes Tony had died instead. Encouraged by a genius cameo from Monica’s sister Araminta, played by Rachael Stirling, Tony’s descent into darkness intensifies as he discards any remaining moral boundaries. [2]

The unraveling extends beyond Tony to other key relationships within the Rutshire elite. Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones) physically attacks James Vereker (Oliver Chris) for sleeping with his wife, Sarah, telling him to stay away from her. Meanwhile, James is forced to beg for forgiveness from his wife Lizzie, played by Katherine Parkinson, using the affectionate yet absurd declaration that she is his “bollard.” While Lizzie manages her public role well, her secret affair with Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) is flourishing. However, the most volatile situation involves Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit); her affair with Tony creates a ticking time bomb for her husband, Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), whose TV company, Venture, is already teetering on the edge of collapse. [2]

As the plot accelerates toward its gripping climax, the series successfully merges hilarity with heart, reaffirming why *Rivals* is considered one of the best television productions currently available. The balance between sharp satire and genuine character study holds firm, ensuring that the dramatic stakes remain incredibly high while delivering the entertainment value expected by the audience. [2]

Episodes 7-9 of *Rivals* Season 2 are now streaming on Disney+. [2]

Update

Review Rivals Season 2: The Cast Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Bond and Festive Traditions

Ahead of the return of *Rivals* season two, Stylist sat down with the cast, including Aidan Turner, Emily Atack, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson, to talk behind-the-scenes antics, Christmas traditions and the on-screen couples they’ve always rooted for. [3]

The powers that be at Disney sure know how to keep viewers on their toes. After that explosive mid-season finale, *Rivals* fans were left reeling when Monica Baddingham was caught in a fatal car accident during a storm. And as the second half of season two arrives this November, her fate looks set to bring even more tragedy, scandal and betrayal to the residents of Rutshire, as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point. [3]

But while fierce rivalries continue to rage on screen, the atmosphere behind the scenes couldn’t be more different. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cast that looks like it’s having more fun together – even as the show’s themes take a darker, more emotional turn, away from the outright bonkbusting we’ve come to know and love. [3]

So, when Stylist sat down with the cast ahead of the show’s return, we wanted to know what they’ve come to love and appreciate most about working together. “The freedom to fail,” Victoria Smurfit said. “There’s nothing that anybody could do that we’d go, ‘Hmmm, I’m judging that.’ To have this in a work environment, and also for them to be your best buddies but not in a needy way. If any of us called any of us [needing] help, even if we hadn’t talked for two months, [we’re] there. I mean, I’m not sure if I’d want kidneys from some of them, and I’m not sure some of them would want mine…”, she added. [3]

Emily Atack agreed with the sentiment, stating, “We’ve worked together for so long, so we’re all there for each other. We go through all the seasons together: the life stuff as well as work stuff, and we are like a family.” [3]

Luca Pasqualino echoed this sentiment, saying, “I’m so grateful to be able to turn in any direction and have somebody amazing there that I can trust with everything, trust to be open to, trust to be vulnerable [and] collaborate with. Genuinely, hand on my heart, I could not ask for a better group of people to share an experience with, and I just love you all to bits.” [3]

Aidan Turner also praised his castmates’ enduring work ethic, noting, “Everyone works really hard, and everyone is on their stuff every day.” [3]

“I always say that everyone takes the work seriously, but no one takes themselves seriously,” Smurfit adds. [3]

Like any family, there’s also a healthy dose of competition when the cameras aren’t rolling – although thankfully, it’s nowhere near as cut-throat as the rivalries between their on-screen characters. “We’re definitely a no-ego set,” said Atack. “But you can definitely see that the men are sort of secretly competing with each other.” [3]

According to Atack and Smurfit, this competitive streak becomes particularly apparent before those all-important steamy scenes, when the men whip off their shirts and start doing press-ups before action is called. Otherwise, it’s all the classics: chess, pool (for which Turner has his own specialist glove) and Bananagrams. “We got competitive in the first series when we were playing table tennis; they took it away from us,” says Danny Dyer. [3]

With the next instalment of *Rivals* set to take viewers through the festive season, including a very Rutshire Christmas, we couldn’t resist asking the cast who would be most likely to take charge of the kitchen if they were cooking Christmas dinner together. For Smurfit, there’s only one possible answer. “I’m gonna say me,” she said. “Just because I’ve done it for definitely more years than this lot have. The key is to be drinking champagne from the moment you’re awake in your pyjamas while you’re stuffing that turkey’s nethers.” Other honourable cast mentions went to Pasqualino – “He’s got the Italian in there,” says Turner, while “Bella’s an amazing cook”, Atack says of Maclean. [3]

With two seasons under their belts and a third on the way, there’s no doubt that countless unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the epic world of *Rivals* to life. “The entire crew, [down to the] art department, costume, hair and make-up – everyone who is there until the bitter end, they’re there for hours,” says Atack. For Dyer, a special shoutout goes to hair and make-up designer Jill Sweeney, who he credits with making the cast look their very best. [3]

And by now, the cast have their on-set routines down to a fine art. For Lisa McGrillis, her make-up call is a whole hour and 40 minutes before she’s needed on set, while for Katherine Parkinson, it’s straight to the sink. “She gets me straight in the backwash to rinse my hair because she says I don’t wash out the conditioner,” she confessed. As for who’s on the aux, it’s usually Alex Hassel who’s playing some feel-good music. “It’s all a really supportive group of people; we all really laugh,” he said. [3]

It wouldn’t be *Rivals* without a new romance or burgeoning forbidden relationship threatening to disrupt the precarious balance of life in Rutshire. But when it comes to their own viewing habits, which fictional couples have the cast always rooted for? [3]

For Bella Maclean, it’s Jim and Pam from *The Office*, as well as Leslie and Ben from *Parks And Recreation*. For Hassell, it’s Ashley and Gordon from *Colin From Accounts*, while Dyer gave a shoutout to Tim and Dawn from the UK version of *The Office*. [3]

For Pasqualino, it’s Ross and Rachel from *Friends*, while Turner opted for the titular couple from *When Harry Met Sally*. As for Atack, it has to be Jack and Rose from *Titanic*: “Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have the most amazing chemistry.” And Parkinson’s pick? Connell and Marianne from *Normal People*. “I thought they had amazing chemistry, and their sex scenes were very moving.” [3]

With season two returning to Disney+ on 11 November, we’ll have to wait and see whether any of our own favourite *Rivals* couples get the happy ending we’re rooting for (we’re looking at you, Lizzie and Freddie and Charles and Gerald). [3]

*Rivals* returns to Disney+ on 11 November with a three-episode premiere, followed by one episode weekly until 2 December. [3]

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Sources

  1. Stylist “Rivals is back – and season 2’s most irresistible drama happens outside the bedroom”
  2. standard.co.uk Rivals on Disney+ review: Latest episodes bring this bonkbuster right back into peerless territory
  3. Stylist “We are like a family”: the Rivals cast on their close-knit bond and behind-the-scenes traditions