Rivals stars Emily Atack and David Tennant discuss the creation of Season 2's biggest plot twist, Sarah's baby daddy reveal.
Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Rivals Season 2, Episode 1-3. Rivals Season 2 is finally here and thankfully Hulu has gifted us with a three-episode drop!
Season 1, which quietly dropped all at once back in October 2024, gained widespread recognition and praise in the months after release and the team behind the show have appropriately dialed everything up to eleven in this new season. With surprise twists and reveals waiting in the first three episodes, there's a lot in store for the people of Rutshire.
Based on the '80s book series by Jilly Cooper, Season 2 is bigger and better than ever, with the rivalry between TV groups Venturer and Corinium going at full blast. We caught up with Emily Atack, who plays the vivacious Sarah Stratton, and Oliver Chris, who plays the bumbling and vain James Vereker, to talk about just where the season is going for their characters.
In Season 1, we found out that Sarah was pregnant, and while audiences might think that the father of her baby is James, it turns out that Rivals had a twist for us in store. Atack reveals the thought process behind how Tony was revealed to be Sarah's baby daddy.
Atack and Chris break down the complicated dinner party scene in Episode 2 that saw nearly every member of the cast running in and out of a tiny kitchen in a farcical scene. And Atack discusses Sarah's surprising new friendship with Rupert , while Chris describes the inner psyche of James. Emily Atack Reveals Her and David Tennant's Involvement in Sarah's Big Baby Daddy Twist "It gives Sarah so much to do. It just makes it extra interesting.
" COLLIDER: Emily, the shock that I had this season when I found out that Sarah's baby is not James's and is actually Tony's, I was like, “Oh my god! ” What was your first reaction when you learned about it? EMILY ATACK: Well, it was kind of mine and David 's idea — I mean, David says it was his idea; I think it was my idea — that was put forward to the writers.
It's so weird talking about it, as well, because we haven't been allowed to talk about it for so long, but yeah, I think it just gives it such an added layer. Because I'm interested to know, and we all hope that everybody will be just as shocked as everyone else was. But I just think it's such a different angle to go down, and I'm thrilled. It gives Sarah so much to do.
It just makes it extra interesting. OLIVER CHRIS: It really tangles the web, doesn’t it? ATACK: Yeah. It really tangles that web.
CHRIS: It's so brilliant. And Rivals is so much about the sex that you can see, but it's so awesome that such a massive story point is all about the sex that we never knew happened. Honestly. I was like, “Oh my god, this changes everything.
” ATACK: Yeah, but it kind of makes sense. You can totally imagine that. Atack and Oliver Chris Reveal the Complicated Shoot Behind the Dinner Party Scene in Season 2 "It took teamwork. And actually, for once, we really weren't allowed to get the giggles.
" There's that really funny scene in Episode 2 when Sarah hosts a dinner party, and everybody's there, and everybody's asking, “Is it my child? ” It kind of made me giggle a little bit. But having such a large cast for some of those scenes, I'm curious, who broke the most on camera? I can imagine you guys are having a lot of fun that day.
ATACK: That particular day, I have to say, was one of the days that we didn't. We were so nervous about getting that right because it was all done in one take. So it's, like, a 20-pager, and it was all done in one go. CHRIS: Masterfully handled by Emily Atack.
She did it so unbelievably brilliantly. ATACK: Everyone was brilliant in it. It took teamwork. And actually, for once, we really weren't allowed to get the giggles.
I just knew that if we did, we'd all get in a lot of trouble, so we were very well behaved that day. Related David Tennant Teases "Terrible Things" in Rivals Season 2: "Much Worse Than Last Time" The second season will be released next year. Posts By Rob London CHRIS: We really were.
You forget when you watch it that there's an entire camera crew in the room with you, and it's just a testament to the DOP and the cameraman, Justin . It's such a testament to Justin, who's holding this camera for 20 minutes, diving around tables and up stairs and in cupboards. It's just an extraordinary feat. The sound crew swinging the boom and all of that is happening.
So us as actors, it's not the time for us to, like, screw around too much. We really need to show those guys and their genius some respect and give them what they need to show their mastery. ATACK: And we just fed off each other's energy so much. It was so high energy, and it was exhausting, and it was thrilling.
It's like a play, almost. But I felt really honored to do that with this bunch. CHRIS: It was a total masterclass by Emily. ATACK: Oh, stop it.
Atak Discusses Rupert and Sarah's New Friendship After Episode 2 "... sometimes those are the good friendships because you really know each other, and you don't promise each other those romantic things.
" When everything falls apart for Sarah, she goes running to Rupert, which I think is an interesting parallel to her relationship in Season 1 with him. What is it like exploring that more platonic relationship, and what was your big takeaway from that for Sarah? ATACK: Alex Hassell and I, we were really happy that we got to do those scenes together, because I think it's a really unique way of looking at relationships and the complexity of them.
I think it's nice to show that you can have a bit of a chaotic sex life with someone, but you can still be mates afterwards. I’m mates with loads of people that I've messed around with, and sometimes those are the good friendships because you really know each other, and you don't promise each other those romantic things.
But then, I like that they've gone there with the writing of exploring that there is something else to be had there with them that isn't just sex. That was really lovely, and I thought almost quite a modern, realistic look at friendships and relationships, and that fluidity and openness, and people being more forgiving with sexual partners and things like that. So, yeah, I found that really, really interesting.
I just love working with Alex Hassell, as well, because he's amazing. Chris Breaks Down James Vereker's Psyche in Season 2 of 'Rivals' "I think he's just perplexed that everyone is not coming to him as a first call.
" Oliver, James is always seen as sort of a comedic relief character, but I get the sense that he cannot handle the fact that he's not in the limelight, and after Declan leaves, I feel like he's like, “I have my chance,” but now Beattie’s in there. What are his feelings about continuously getting pushed aside? Subscribe to our newsletter for Rivals Season 2 insights Want more Rivals Season 2 secrets?
Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews, character breakdowns, and scene dissections that unpack twists and the show's production craft for dedicated fans. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. CHRIS: Well, I don’t think he likes it.
I think that one of James’s defining characteristic is he's so vain and so self-obsessed. It just doesn't exist in his sphere of conception that people don't think he's, like, God's gift to everything and want him to do everything. He wants to head up Corinium while at the same time being a mole for Venturer. I think he's just perplexed that everyone is not coming to him as a first call.
I think it would absolutely blow his mind to know that everyone thinks he's a complete buffoon, entirely useless, and fairly repulsive. Atack and Chris Tease the Future of Season 2 With Just One Word That's fair. My last question to wrap up, if you could use one word to describe your character’s story by the end of this season, what word would you use? ATACK: Surprising.
CHRIS: That's a very good, noncommittal one-word. ATACK: I know, but I'm so scared, because we get told off when we say things. CHRIS: Yeah, that's true.
I'd say I'm going to go with cracked. 8 10 Rivals Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Romance Release Date October 18, 2024 Network Disney+ Directors Dee Koppang O'Leary, Alexandra Brodski, Elliot Hegarty Writers Clare Naylor, Mimi Hare, Kefi Chadwick, Dare Aiyegbayo, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Marek Horn, Sophie Goodhart Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse
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