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Season 2 – Rivals

Play trailer 2:21 Poster for Season 2 – Rivals Next Ep Nov 11 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head.
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Rivals — Season 2

Rivals — Season 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Rivals' second season reliably ups the ante by trusting in its stellar ensemble cast to skillfully steer the audience through its silly capers of melodramatic fun to winning effect.

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Critics Reviews

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Gerry Brakus New Statesman May 28, 2026
Rivals succeeds not because anyone mistakes Rutshire for reality, but because it offers temporary escape from a culture increasingly terrified of embarrassment, vulgarity and desire. Go to Full Review Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) May 20, 2026
Audacious and delicious, Rivals is a high-end soap opera that takes the guilty out of guilty pleasure. This is just pure pleaaasurrrre, and you can shout that from the rooftops without any shame. Go to Full Review David Opie Empire Magazine May 19, 2026
4/5
Season 2 of this undeniably enjoyable Jilly Cooper adaptation comes with more heart this time around — yet other organs still abound in TV's silliest, most decadent bonkbuster.  Go to Full Review Ana Yorke PopMatters Jul 15, 2026
Rivals is a hot-blooded protest against the oppressive environments and uncanny valleys of postmodern TV. Go to Full Review Jack Seale Radio Times Jun 10, 2026
4/5
Rather than a total upheaval every other week, one interesting thing per episode happens to each Rutshire resident. Go to Full Review Hannah Brown Jerusalem Post Jun 2, 2026
I find it the perfect escapist entertainment from start to finish, and there is so much going on that the plot turns are occasionally surprising. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Constant B @ConstantBees Sep 15, 2026 I loved S1 and had been looking forward to S2. The S2 episodes were broadcast in two lots. At the end of episode 6, there was a major and heartbreaking deviation from the original story. I won't give it away, but suffice it to say that I will not watch the rest until the whole series is released. Depending on how the rest of the story is presented, possibly not even then. I will definitely look for full episode synopses before watching. I wish I had before I watched episode 6. Unfortunately, US companies are major funders of productions like this, and the, shall we say, 'unenlightened' views of some in that country seem to unduly influence scripts. See more Kay M @RT56780124321 Sep 10, 2026 Overall, I think the series is absolutely fantastic. Great acting, fabulous storylines and characters that you can really cheer for even if they are morally grey. This series has heart and I’m genuinely interested in the outcomes for my favourite characters. See more Dominic B @RT83360345 Sep 1, 2026 Unrivalled! Liked this season even better than the last one. Great characters! And great acting. David Tennant the absolute highlight for me, the guy really knows how to chomp a cigar looking forward to the kill. See more Shelby B @ShelbyB Aug 26, 2026 It’s so good. Very funny and brilliant casting. See more Dona M @toya67889 Aug 23, 2026 This season is pure guilty-pleasure television. The romances, betrayals, ridiculous family dynamics and gorgeous period setting had me hooked all over again. It's dramatic in the best possible way. See more Katy B @TomSauce Aug 21, 2026 Such escapist camp fun. Just what we all need. See more Read all reviews
Rivals — Season 2

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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David Tennant

Tony Baddingham

Oliver Chris

James Vereker

Katherine Parkinson

Lizzie Vereker

Alex Hassell

Rupert Campbell-Black

Victoria Smurfit

Maud O'Hara

Luke Pasqualino

Basil `Bas' Baddingham

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 15, 2026 Tony Baddingham is scarred, but alive and more dangerous than ever; as Declan pitches a new documentary to the BBC and attempts to rebuild his marriage to Maud, a heartbroken Taggie pines for Rupert who vanished without a trace. Details Episode 2 Aired May 15, 2026 Tony Baddingham returns more dangerous than ever; as Declan attempts to rebuild his life Taggie pines for a missing Rupert; a high-stakes polo match reignites the rivalry, redrawing battle lines for a costly new war. Details Episode 3 Aired May 15, 2026 A scandalous Corinium exposé sends shockwaves through Rutshire and Westminster and Rupert faces mounting pressure on election day over the future of his political career; Declan and Venturer reel from the fallout. Details Episode 4 Aired May 22, 2026 Maud returns to Rutshire, igniting fury from Declan as Tony draws her into Corinium; Rupert tries to find a way forward, only for old sins to resurface; Venturer lands a lucky break. Details Episode 5 Aired May 29, 2026 A paranoid Tony demands loyalty as his Corinium network and rival Venturer prepare for a gladiatorial public meeting to decide who wins the franchise; Corinium and Venturer pull out all the stops to impress residents. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 5, 2026 A storm descends on Rutshire as a sordid secret is exposed and the night takes a dark turn. Details Episode 7 Airs Nov 11 Episode 7 In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head. Details Episode 8 Airs Nov 11 Episode 8 In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head. Details Episode 9 Airs Nov 11 Episode 9 In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head. Details Episode 10 Airs Nov 18 Episode 10 In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head. Details Episode 11 Airs Nov 25 Episode 11 In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head. Details Episode 12 Airs Dec 2 Episode 12 In 1980s England, a rivalry between two powerful men finally comes to a head. Details

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Rivals — Season 2

Rivals: Season 2 Trailer Rivals: Season 2 Trailer 2:21 Now Playing Rivals: Season 2 Teaser Rivals: Season 2 Teaser 0:44 Now Playing View more videos
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Rivals — Season 2

Rivals Rivals View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb
Network
Hulu
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 15, 2026
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