David Tennant's character, Tony Baddingham, is seen grieving the loss of his wife, Monica, in newly released first look images for the second part of the series "Rivals." The drama's mid-season finale concluded with Monica's death after her car was crushed by a tree during a severe storm.
The next installments of "Rivals" series two will begin releasing on November 11, with the first three episodes of the remaining six dropping on that date. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly.
A Glimpse of What's to Come
The new images show the residents of Rutshire reeling from tragedy, scandal, and betrayal. The narrative picks up after the gut-wrenching mid-series finale, intensifying the battle between Tony and Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) for control of the Cotswolds. Meanwhile, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) faces his own personal struggles.
Monica Baddingham was in the process of confronting Tony about his affair with Maud O'Hara (Victoria Smurfit) when the fatal accident occurred. Caitlin, a passenger in Monica's car who survived the crash, was with her during this confrontation. Rupert later informs Tony of his wife's death.
The funeral for Monica will be depicted in the upcoming episodes, attended by Tony and other friends and family members.
Shifting Alliances and Unraveling Affairs
Elsewhere in Rutshire, Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) and Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinso) appear to be embarking on a romance after deciding to stop resisting their feelings for each other. Lizzie, influenced by her conversation with Monica before her death, realizes she does not want to remain in an unhappy marriage.
The series will also explore the ongoing pursuit of Taggie O'Hara by Basil Baddingham, with the pair seen together during Bonfire Night festivities. Taggie has previously shown interest in Rupert, raising questions about whether Basil will serve as a distraction.
The return of "Rivals" follows a period of anticipation after the cliffhanger ending of the sixth episode, which concluded the first half of series two. The series is set against the backdrop of a hurricane, which played a role in the dramatic events and the displacement of characters across Rutshire's estates.
Critical Reception
The second series of "Rivals," adapted from Dame Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel, premiered on Disney+ in October 2024 and was quickly renewed. Critics have largely praised the second outing, with many awarding it five stars. The Guardian described the show as "exquisitely knowing escapism," while The Telegraph lauded its "heady mix of guilty pleasure, trenchant satire, rambunctious comedy and out-and-out trash." The Times called it "gloriously uplifting television," suggesting it might be "even better than the last series."
Other reviews highlighted the "sprawling cast" and singled out Emily Atack's performance. Some critics noted that certain storylines, particularly those related to the television industry, could be slow, advocating for more of the show's characteristic slapstick and lightheartedness. The Independent praised the cast's apparent enjoyment and the show's aspiration to be purely entertaining, focusing on stylized interactions rather than deep emotional exploration.
All episodes from the first half of "Rivals" series two are currently available to stream on Disney+.