David Tennant’s Tony Baddingham looked stony-faced as he mourned the death of his late wife at her funeral in the first footage for the second part of Rivals series two.
The first part of the season ended on a huge cliffhanger when Monica Baddingham was crushed by a tree while driving during a brutal storm.
Rivals viewers will find out what happens after the tragic moment when the first three episodes of six will be released on November 11, followed by weekly releases of the remaining three episodes.
The newly revealed footage provides a gripping first look at what’s to come as the people of Rutshire are reeling from tragedy, scandal and betrayal.
After the heartbreaking mid-series finale, Tony and Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner)’s battle for the Cotswolds crown reaches a fever pitch, as Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) is forced to confront his own personal demons.
In the six episodes, Caitlin, who was a passenger in Monica’s car and survives the crash, was with her when she planned to confront Tony about his affair with Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit).
Monica had plans to finally leave with flirtatious Tony, who is later told by Rupert (Aidan Turner) that his wife has been murdered.
In the next part of the series, viewers will see Tony and the rest of Monica’s friends and family attend her funeral.
David Tennant looked stony-faced as he mourned the death of his late wife at her funeral in the first footage for the second part of Rivals series two
Monica had plans to finally leave the flirtatious Tony, who is told by Rupert Campbell Black (pictured) that his wife has been murdered
They will also witness Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) and Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinso) after they finally agree to stop fighting their feelings for each other.
After Lizzie’s conversation with Monica before her death, she realizes that she doesn’t want to be trapped in an unhappy marriage for the rest of her life.
She goes to Freddie and tells him, ‘I can’t live without you. I mean, I don’t want it.’
A snapshot from the upcoming episodes shows them staring intensely at each other, suggesting their romance will continue.
Against the backdrop of parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances break and rivalries intensify.
Basil Baddingham is still chasing Taggie O’Hara and they look cozy on Bonfire Night in one of the preview images.
Taggie has long had her sights set on Rupert, but will Basil prove enough of a distraction to keep her from temptation?
Rivals viewers have had to endure a frustrating wait after the midseason finale ended on a major cliffhanger.
Against the backdrop of hurricane weather, the series’ main storyline, the Tony affair with Maud, his nemesis Declan’s wife finally comes to a head.
As the stormy weather drove key figures around the mansions and country estates of Rutshire, the episode ended with a shock death. The sixth episode concluded the first half of series two.
They will also witness Freddie and Lizzie after they finally agree to stop fighting their feelings for each other and start a passionate affair
Elsewhere, Basil Baddingham is still chasing Taggie O’Hara and they look cozy on Bonfire Night in one of the preview images
Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) is dressed in a tuxedo at a party
Rivals viewers will find out what happens after the tragic moment when the first episode of the second half of the series drops on November 11
Viewers shared their frustrations at the time, saying, “Rivals’ release schedule is terrible. they are going to destroy the momentum of the show and I doubt they will do much promo during the break.”
“I’d rather wait for an end of summer release instead of waiting six months between the two parts,” said one fan on social media.
However, others have welcomed the decision to split the series, with one viewer commenting:
“My unpopular opinion is that people are vastly overreacting to the rivals’ season split. wdym people won’t care? last time it ended on a cliffhanger and we were gagging for s2. Twelve episodes is a lot for a British show; it’s like you get two seasons in one year!’
Ahead of the mid-season break, critics had stated that series two is more than living up to its opening run, with a string of five-star reviews heralding its return to screens last month.
The comedy-drama, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel, debuted on Disney+ in October 2024 and became an instant hit. The first series of eight episodes ended in October 2024 and was soon renewed for a second outing.
Critics who previewed the first four episodes unanimously praised the second outing.
Sarah Dempster for The Guardian gave the show five stars, but mused ‘hHow best to reward such exquisite knowing escapism? Ten stars? Ten thousand stars? Rivals are beyond earthly praise.”
As the stormy weather drove key figures around the mansions and country estates of Rutshire, the episode ended with a shock death. The sixth episode concluded the first half of series two
Set against the backdrop of hurricane weather, the series’ main storyline, Tony’s affair with Maud
The TelegraphBenji Wilson concurred in another five-star article, stating that “Rivals continues to innovate the parts other television can’t achieve – a heady mix of guilty pleasure, sharp satire, heady comedy and downright trash.”
Carol Midgley for The times said ‘despite the deliberate corniness, this is also wonderfully uplifting television. It’s unashamedly festive and perhaps even better than the last series.’
Den Van GeekLacy Baugher praised the show’s “extensive cast,” which “remains thoroughly excellent throughout.”
Baugher called Emily Atack “who steals much of this run of episodes and makes her Sarah feel indispensable in the larger world of Rutshire in ways few of us probably expected.”
Rebecca Nicholson for the Financial times was one of the few who did not award five stars, but gave the second series three stars.
“Some storylines, especially those about the TV industry, drag on a bit,” she wrote. “Rivals needs more slapstick, more of that antics, to keep things as light-hearted as it needs to be to really make it work… Rivals is at its strongest when it embraces its silly side and accepts its fate as a jolly old romp.”
Nick Hilton for The independent knocked off one star, but said there was plenty to be excited about, especially in the acting department. “There is a feeling throughout the cast that everyone is having a great time, whether they are romping on a pony or romping on a staircase,” he writes.
‘That makes Rivals so rare in the current television landscape. It’s well written and well acted, but it doesn’t aim for anything other than to be fun. Real, associative human emotions are kept at a distance in favor of stylized rural horniness.’
Rivals series two episodes one through six are now available to stream on Disney+
