Viewers of the hit drama Rivals on Disney+ have been openly expressing their emotional responses to the latest episodes of season two, according to reports from the Mirror.
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers from Rivals season 2.
On Friday, May 15, Disney+ released the first three episodes of the eagerly awaited second season, transporting audiences back to the seductive world of 1980s Rutshire and its captivating characters.
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The new episodes pick up immediately after the dramatic finale of season one, where Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) left her employer, Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), for dead after striking him with an award trophy.
Against all odds, Tony survived and is now on a relentless quest for revenge against Cameron and her allies Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner).
While Tony plots his next move, the series continues to deliver plenty of drama through other storylines, including the simmering relationship between Rutshire’s romance novelist Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson) and Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer). Meanwhile, Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) drops some surprising revelations that add to the tension.
However, the emotional core for many viewers is the turbulent romance between Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean) and Rupert. Following the early revelations about Cameron’s fate in season two, fans have taken to social media to vent their heartbreak and frustration.
One viewer tweeted: “Oh my god just finished ep1 of #rivals and felt every emotion under the sun. Taggie you angel you deserve so much better.”
Another lamented, “Both [women] deserve better. #rivals,” accompanied by plenty of crying emojis, highlighting fans’ devastation over the unfolding drama.
After a particularly intense moment between the couple, a third fan confessed: “MY HEART IS IN TATTERS #Rivals.”
Another wrote passionately: “RUPERT IS P***ING ME OFF TAGGIE YOU DESERVE BETTER QUEEN #Rivals.”
Fans also expressed hope for Rupert’s character arc, with one tweeting, “Rupert’s redemption arc better be worth it because right now he’s just p***ing me off in every ep #Rivals #RivalsS2.”
Despite some frustration with Rupert’s behavior, the series’ return has been widely praised. One viewer exclaimed, “I need the rest of the episodes now,” while another applauded the performances: “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.”
Fans eagerly anticipated a chaotic party scene featuring Sarah Stratton, with one fan stating: “I just know these next 20 mins of Sarah’s party are about to be wild—I am sooo excited #rivals.”
Others have admired the show’s distinctive visual style, praising the use of tint and filter effects that bring a campy 1980s flair: “I am living for whatever tint/filter they’ve used this season. SO camp. #Rivals #RivalsS2.”
The introduction of new cast members also sparked excitement. “Omg Hayley Atwell is on this show this season YES #Rivals,” tweeted one enthusiastic fan.
Rivals season two has been released in two parts, with the first six episodes now available and the final three set to debut weekly. The next segment is expected to hit screens in 2026.
Rivals season 2 continues to air every Friday on Disney+, captivating viewers with its intense drama, rich characters, and stylistic flair.