Rivals star breaks down season 2’s big Paul Stratton twist: “That’s arguably the darkest thing that happens”

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Be aware that this article reveals key plot points from the first three episodes of Rivals season 2, now streaming on Disney Plus.

The first three episodes of Rivals season 2 are full of drama, steamy scenes, unexpected turns, and a strong focus on characters seeking revenge.

Trouble is brewing in Rutshire as hidden truths are revealed and emotions run high, especially for the Stratton family. When Paul (Rufus Jones) learns Sarah (Emily Atack) is pregnant, he shockingly uses the news to boost his political campaign, publicly announcing it during Sarah and James’s (Oliver Chris) show.

Sarah is still unsure about her pregnancy, even though Tony (David Tennant) has encouraged her to have an abortion. The news comes as a shock not only to Sarah, but also to her colleagues at work.

Rufus Jones described Paul’s actions as “arguably the darkest thing” in their relationship, explaining it involved extreme pressure, using an unborn child as a threat, and blackmail. He called the situation “just horrible” in a statement to TopMob.

Atack agreed, saying: “It’s just awful, isn’t it?”

Jones explained that politicians often use babies as props for good publicity, especially when they’re trying to recover from a scandal. He believes they see a baby as the perfect way to improve their public image.

This scene really captures what relationships were like in 1987. It feels authentic to that time – a man casually mentioning his partner’s pregnancy even before they were certain it would happen. That felt very true to the way people interacted then.

This season, the show delves deeper into the Strattons’ relationship, moving beyond the lighthearted comedy of their first season to explore a more captivating and complex dynamic.

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The latest episodes reveal a different side of Sarah. She used to openly leverage her attractiveness to get ahead at work, but now she’s considering what her career might look like going forward.

In a recent interview with TopMob, Maisie Atack described how deeply she connected with her character, Sarah Stratton, this season. She explained that playing Sarah felt very personal, even making her emotional, because she identified with Sarah’s experiences on a deep level. She admitted her mother might be worried about her saying that publicly, but she truly sees a lot of herself reflected in the character.

It’s tough to admit, but understanding women like this allows me to fully become the character and portray her with genuine depth and complexity.

She explained that the story highlights how women historically have simply tried to navigate and survive in environments controlled by men. In the first season, the character’s goal is to become a well-known and admired television personality, and she uses whatever means necessary – including relationships – to achieve success.

She’s now focused on using her pregnancy to gain control of the situation, while also seeking a stable family life and a partner who will provide for her. Her goals are quite different now.

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

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2026-05-17 11:38