Rivals star reveals how new arrivals Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett impact season 2

by

The popular show ‘Rivals’ is back for a second season, and this time, the world of Rutshire is welcoming several new characters to its established community.

Previously, it was revealed that Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett would appear in season 2, playing characters with a history involving Rupert (played by Alex Hassell). However, Alex Hassell has now shared that both Atwell and Everett’s characters actually harbor negative feelings toward his character.

According to Hassell, Hayley Atwell plays Helen Gordon, Rupert’s former wife, while Rupert Everett portrays Malice, Rupert’s previous showjumping coach who is now married to Helen. Both characters harbor complicated feelings towards Rupert – a mix of negativity and a surprising protectiveness.

Hassell explained that the person in question has repeatedly hurt people’s feelings, and it seems they’ve finally reached their limit. The fact that Rupert’s children are involved adds another layer of complexity to his personality.

He’s working through things he regrets and trying to make amends, but it’s a complicated process with no easy solutions.

Throughout the first season, Rupert has been a popular and eligible bachelor in Rutshire, transitioning from a successful show-jumping career into politics while remaining a constant source of gossip. His recent partnership with Declan to create the new TV show, Venturer, hasn’t been easy, especially because he’s developed feelings for Declan’s daughter, Taggie.

Season 1 ended with a sweet moment for the couple – they admitted their feelings and shared a kiss, which fans were eager to see. However, season 2 promises more conflict, leaving viewers wondering what that means for their relationship.

Season two sees the competition for the Central South West television license intensify, with the rivalry between Corinium and Venturer escalating into a more perilous stage.

Tony Baddingham is now more determined and aggressive than ever before. He’s systematically working to destroy his opponents by using damaging rumors and controlling the people around him, all to stay in power.

As the extravagant 1980s unfold, the private lives of those living in Rutshire begin to fall apart. Relationships crumble due to career pressures, secret romances endanger families, and old secrets resurface, causing dramatic fallout.

When fierce competition drives people to their limits, friendships and relationships suffer as everyone strives to win. But at what point does the desire for victory become too much?

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. Before it loads, we need your permission because reCAPTCHA might use cookies and similar technologies. If you agree, click ‘Accept and continue’ to enable it.

You can watch Rivals on Disney+. The second season starts streaming on Friday, May 15, 2026. A Disney+ subscription costs from £5.99 per month.

Don’t miss out! Add Rivals to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download it today for daily TV recommendations, exclusive features, and more.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing, freelancing, and holds a degree in English Literature.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-05-14 11:35