David Tennant teases Rivals season 2 moment will lead to “rather destructive” outcome – and it’s one that book fans may already know

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Please be aware that this article reveals key plot points from the first three episodes of Rivals, now streaming on Disney Plus.

After the first three episodes of Rivals season 2, Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) has become increasingly menacing. He’s not only ruined Rupert’s (Alex Hassell) career in politics and television, but he’s now focused his attention on Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit).

The initial episodes of the show have revealed what happened after Maud moved to London to chase her dream of becoming an actress.

For years, she’s felt overshadowed by her husband, Declan (Aidan Turner), but her lead role in ‘A Doll’s House’ is finally giving her a chance to shine. However, one particular performance takes an unexpected turn when Tony and Monica (Claire Rushbrook) unexpectedly show up in the audience.

Tony isn’t thrilled about watching his rival’s wife perform, but Monica, wanting to be supportive of people she knows in their social circle, suggests after the show that Maud would be a great choice to play Titania in Tony’s upcoming television adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Tennant explained to TopMob that he believes Tony is unexpectedly attracted to Maude. He didn’t want to reveal too much about what happens next, but hinted that Monica will unintentionally cause significant trouble.

Okay, so if you’re already familiar with the source material, you’ll probably see this twist coming. It’s not a huge spoiler, but there’s a real ‘what if?’ moment when Monica makes a genuinely good decision, almost instinctively doing the right thing, and discovers a hidden ability in someone close to her. It’s a lovely moment, but honestly, I think she might regret it in the long run.

As Tennant points out, those familiar with Jilly Cooper’s books likely have some idea of what to expect from this storyline. We won’t reveal any plot details, but be prepared for themes of betrayal and conflict. Whether the series closely follows the books remains to be seen.

Tony’s reasons for wanting Maud in the project might be complex, but his wife, Monica, simply believes Maud is a talented and delightful actress. According to Rushbrook, Monica sees Maud as a wonderful person, both as an actress and as a friend, and has no hidden agenda in suggesting her for the role.

It’s clear Tony is seeking revenge this season. David Tennant has stated that playing the character in season 2 felt much darker than before.

Yes, it seemed like he recovered from his injury quickly, but he wasn’t quite at his best. He’s taking more risks now, without the usual limitations or precautions, he explained.

It looked like he’d gotten rid of all restraint – the scene in his office, with blood on the floor, suggested a complete loss of control. He wasn’t just a little unstable; he was significantly disturbed.

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

Okay, folks, if you’re looking for something new to binge, let me tell you about “Rivals.” I’m adding it to my watchlist through the TopMob: What to Watch app – seriously, download this app if you haven’t already. It gives you daily recommendations, features, and keeps you in the know about all things TV. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a TV fanatic like me!

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 and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-05-17 10:34