Critics say Rivals series two more than lives up to its first run, and it will return to theatres on Friday with a string of five-star reviews.
The comedy-drama, which launched on Disney+ in October 2024 and quickly became a major sensation, is based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel. The initial eight-episode series was quickly renewed for a second run once it concluded in December 2024.
Additionally, the all-star cast—which includes Danny Dyer, Emily Atack, and David Tennant, to mention a few—is returning for more wild adventures in Rutshire.
The second episode has received nearly unanimous praise from critics who have previewed the first four episodes.
The Guardian’s Sarah Dempster rates the program five stars, but she wonders “how best to reward such exquisitely knowing escapism.” Ten stars? Ten thousand stars? There is no worldly praise for rivals.
Benji Wilson of The Telegraph concurs with another five-star review, stating that “Rivals continues to refresh the parts that other television cannot reach – a heady mix of guilty pleasure, trenchant satire, rambunctious comedy and out-and-out trash.”
Critics say Rivals series two more than lives up to its premiere run, and it will return on Friday with a succession of five-star reviews.
According to Carol Midgley of The Times, “this is also gloriously uplifting television despite its deliberate corniness.” According to her five-star assessment, it is blatantly celebratory and possibly even better than the previous series.
Lacy Baugher of Den of Geek commends the “sprawling cast” of the show, saying they “remain thoroughly excellent throughout.”
Emily Atack is singled out by Baugher, “who steals much of this run of episodes, and makes her Sarah feel indispensable to the larger world of Rutshire in ways few of us likely expected.”
One of the few people to not give the second series five stars is Rebecca Nicholson of the Financial Times, who gives it three stars. “Some of the storylines, particularly those about the TV industry, drag a little,” she says. “To keep things as light as they need to be for it to really work, Rivals needs more slapstick, more of those capers.” When Rivals embraces its ludicrous side and views its situation as a light-hearted joke, it is at its best.
Nick Hilton for The Independent believes there is plenty to praise, especially in the acting, but he takes away one star. “”Everyone in the cast seems to be having a great time, whether they’re playing on a staircase or a pony,” he adds. “That’s what makes Rivals such a rare treat in today’s television landscape.” It is well-acted and well-written, but its only goal is to be entertaining. Stylised bucolic horniness is preferred above real, relatable human emotions.
The comedy-drama, which launched on Disney+ in October 2024 and quickly became a major sensation, is based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel.
In a recent interview, Rivals star Alex Hassell recalled the “physically unsexy” and “deeply uncomfortable” sex scenes from the upcoming series, which is expected to be the raciest yet.
Rupert Campbell-Black actor Alex Hassell told The Times, “You’re covered up where you need to be and there’s padding between you.”
“But because I’m all oiled up and trying to hold Nafessa in place, it’s a really unsexy environment and quite physically uncomfortable.”
It follows other cast members discussing what fans may expect from the upcoming second season.
“We’re delving into the complications of two people who are madly in love but married with children to other people,” explained Danny Dyer, who plays electronics manufacturer Freddie Jones, who is having an affair with romance author Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson).
“There are a lot of people rooting for infidelity, which is quite rare.” David Tennant, Emily Atack, and Danny Dyer are just a few of the all-star cast members returning for more wild adventures in Rutshire.
Declan O’Hara, a TV journalist played by Aidan Turner, has struggled to balance the demands of his job with those of his former actress wife, Maud (Victoria Smurfit).
“Victoria and I are very comfortable with each other,” he told the Daily Mirror, describing a sultry shower sex scene between the couple as “fun” to film.
“We’ve collaborated closely since the first series, and we bonded right away. Perhaps it’s the Irish thing.
On May 15, Rivals will return to Disney+.
The Guardian
Score:
Ten stars is the ideal way to honour such perfectly knowing escape. Ten thousand stars? There is no worldly praise for rivals.
The Telegraph
Score:
“A heady mix of guilty pleasure, sharp satire, boisterous comedy, and outright trash, Rivals continues to refresh the parts that other television cannot reach.”
The Times
Score:
This is incredibly uplifting television, despite its purposeful corniness. It is unabashedly joyous and possibly even superior to the previous series.
The Independent
Score:
“Everyone in the cast seems to be having a great time, whether they’re playing on a staircase or a pony.”
Times of Finance
Score:
Some of the plots drag a bit, especially those that deal with the television industry. To keep things as light-hearted as possible for it to truly succeed, Rivals needs more slapstick, more of those capers.
Metro
Score:
“How good it feels to be back.” Rivals enters for its second run with the swagger of a production that knows it already has us all on board. Thankfully, not much has changed.
