Viewers tuning in to Rivals season two on Disney+ did not hold back about the new episodes.
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Rivals season 2
Disney+ dropped the first three episodes from the second season of the hit show today (Friday, May 15), taking audiences back to the steamy world of 1980s Rutshire.
The new episodes pretty much picked up from the end of the last season when Cameron Cook (played by Nafessa Williams) left her boss, Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), for dead after walloping him over the head with an award trophy.
Miraculously, Tony survived and is out for revenge against Cameron and her new allies Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner).
View 3 ImagesRupert has been slammed by Rivals fans tuning in to season 2(Image: DISNEY)
As Tony plots, there is plenty of drama elsewhere as the romance between Rutshire’s resident romance writer Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson) and Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) continues to sizzle away.
Separately, Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) shares some unexpected news.
However, many fans were left saying the same thing about the up-and-down romance between Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean) and Rupert, after they learned Cameron’s fate at the beginning of season 2.
One person posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Oh my god just finished ep1 of #rivals and felt every emotion under the sun. Taggie you angel you deserve so much better [sic].”
View 3 ImagesRupert and Taggie in Rivals season 2(Image: DISNEY)
“Oh, rupert rupert rupert…” a second wrote, before complaining that: “Both [women] deserve better. #rivals [sic].”
The post was accompanied by many crying with tears emojis over the viewer’s devastation at the scenes.
After watching a particularly difficult conversation between one of the pairs, a third commented: “MY HEART IS IN TATTERS #Rivals [sic].”
While a fourth fumed: “RUPERT IS P***ING ME OFF TAGGIE YOU DESERVE BETTER QUEEN #Rivals. [sic]”
View 3 ImagesTaggie in Rivals season 2(Image: DISNEY)
A fifth wrote: “Rupert’s redemption arc better be worth it because right now he’s just p***ing me off in every ep #Rivals #RivalsS2 [sic].”
Despite the frustration at Rupert’s behaviour at the beginning of season 2, there was much praise for the beloved show’s return.
“I need the rest of the episodes now,” one person said, as a second agreed: “Great stuff from @EmAtack Alex Hassell. David tennant. Aidan turner. @MrDDyer Victoria Smurfit, @lucapasqualino @AnnabelScholey and @LisaMcGrillis in the first episode of season 2 #Rivals.”
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A third said about one chaotic sequence: “I just know these next 20 mins of sarah party are about to eat I am sooo excited #rivals [sic].”
Someone else said of the show’s impressive aesthetics: “I am living for whatever tint/filter they’ve used this season. SO camp. #Rivals #RivalsS2.”
Another commented on the new cast additions: “Omg Hayley Atwell is on this show this season YES #Rivals [sic].”
Season two of Rivals has been split in half and fans will only be getting six episodes now, with the remaining three instalments released weekly.
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Meanwhile, the second batch of the new series will be coming to screens at a later date in 2026.
Rivals season 2 airs weekly on Fridays on Disney+