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David Tennant’s Rivals season 2 episode has fittingly set a ratings high.
This past month, Disney+’s hit adaptation returned with season 2 and revealed that Tennant’s Lord Tony Baddingham survived the hit to the head following a confrontation with Cameron. The latest episodes have unraveled the Corinium boss’s revenge against Venturer alongside other romantic scandals. While the series typically leans into comedy and fun, season 2’s mid-season episode has stunned audiences with unexpected tragedy.
Now, Rivals season 2, episode 6, has set a series record, becoming the highest-rated episode on IMDb with a solid 9.3. It’s the only episode to ever hit above a 9.0 rating since the next best is the season 1 finale’s 8.5. Additionally, it’s also one of the highest-rated episodes in Tennant’s overall television career, as only a few of his series have earned above 9.0.
Interestingly, his Doctor Who episodes were rated higher, including “Blink” (9.8), “Forest of the Dead” (9.4), “The Day of the Doctor” (9.3), and “Silence in the Library” (9.3). While Tennant’s other shows have earned above a 9.3, the majority have fewer than 100 responses. Rivals season 2, episode 6 has at least more than 300 ratings.
Based on the Rutshire Chronicles series by Jilly Cooper, Rivals premiered in 2024, when season 1 had a strong critical reception and a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score. The series was quickly renewed by Disney+, with season 2 getting a major episode increase to 12 and shifting to a weekly release rather than dropping all at once like season 1. However, the first half would drop in early 2026, and the final six episodes at the end of the year.
The weekly drop has seemingly worked in Rivals season 2’s favor, as each episode built on the competitive feud between Venturer and Corinium to win the franchise deal. The latest episodes provided more depth for players like Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), Tony, and Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) in both their professional and personal lives. That alone has been complicated by scandals, sabotage, and a shocking affair that could ruin many families.
All that ultimately led to the high stakes in season 2, episode 6. As a dangerous storm rages through Rutshire, a literal one occurs as Tony’s biggest secret is discovered. The intense drama ends with the demise of a major character and marks a big change from Cooper’s book, leaving audiences anxiously wondering what’s next for the latter half of season 2.
Hulu and Disney+ confirmed that the last six episodes are expected to drop this fall, with a November release window. However, an exact date has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, season 2’s mid-season finale concluded on a major cliffhanger, which viewers would have to wait for nearly six months to see how the situation resolves. A Rivals season 2 teaser did reveal footage of a funeral and Tony’s next moves following a character’s death.
Rivals season 2 will return in November 2026 on Hulu and Disney+.
- Release Date
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October 18, 2024
- Network
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Disney+
- Directors
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Dee Koppang O’Leary, Alexandra Brodski, Elliot Hegarty
- Writers
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Clare Naylor, Mimi Hare, Kefi Chadwick, Dare Aiyegbayo, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Marek Horn, Sophie Goodhart