Rivals Season 2 Review: Why Hulu’s 1980s Drama Is TV’s Most Addictive Guilty Pleasure

Hulu’s Rivals Season 2 delivers everything fans loved about its first outing—amplified to an 11 on the indulgence scale. This unapologetically over-the-top 1980s-set drama thrives on excess, scandal, and the kind of hedonistic escapism that defined primetime soaps of the era. At its core, the series is a celebration of indulgence, both for its characters and its audience, refusing to take itself too seriously while gleefully embracing its characters’ moral failings.

What Makes Rivals Season 2 Stand Out

Unlike any other show on television, Rivals refuses to apologize for its unbridled ambition. Season 2 expands the series’ already expansive cast, deepens its character dynamics, and cranks up the drama to new heights. With a prestige ensemble cast, opulent sets, and a story rooted in class tensions among Britain’s elite, the show balances prestige with pure, unfiltered fun.

The series’ second season picks up almost immediately after the Season 1 finale, where Cameron (Nafessa Williams) flees to Rupert Campbell-Black’s (Alex Hassell) side following a violent confrontation with Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant). In a twist straight out of a soap opera, Tony survives the attack—setting the stage for a vengeful campaign to dismantle Venturer, the rival TV network founded by Rupert and his allies.

Key Characters and Their Arcs in Season 2

The second season of Rivals shifts focus from its trio of male leads to a broader, more intricate web of relationships and power struggles. While Season 1 centered on the romantic escapades and rivalries among Lord Tony, Rupert, and their associates, Season 2 expands the narrative to include:

• Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant): A ruthless TV mogul hellbent on revenge after surviving Cameron’s attack. His campaign to destroy Venturer unfolds across political races, polo matches, and high-society dinners.
• Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell): The former Olympic showjumper turned Tory politician now leads Venturer, a rival network challenging Tony’s Corinium. His alliances with Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) and Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) are tested as Tony’s vendetta escalates.
• Cameron (Nafessa Williams): Fleeing to Rupert’s side after her violent clash with Tony, Cameron’s loyalties are tested as she navigates the fallout of her actions.
• Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner): The cynical TV journalist joins Rupert’s venture, bringing his sharp wit and moral ambiguity to the fray.
• Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer): The working-class tech billionaire becomes a key player in Venturer’s rise, adding a layer of class conflict to the power struggle.

The Soap Opera Meets 1980s Excess

Rivals is a throwback to the golden age of primetime soaps, where excess was celebrated and moral ambiguity was the norm. Season 2 leans into this tradition with:

• Bonkers plot twists that defy logic but thrill nonetheless.
• Romantic longing and betrayal across multiple relationships.
• A sprawling cast of characters who are as delightful to root for as they are to love to hate.
• Lavish 1980s-inspired sets, fashion, and music that immerse viewers in the era.

"Rivals is television at its most unapologetic—gloriously excessive, wildly entertaining, and deeply satisfying for fans of soapy, high-stakes drama."

Why Rivals Season 2 Is a Must-Watch

For viewers who crave drama that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Rivals Season 2 is a dream come true. Based on the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved Rutshire Chronicles series, the show balances prestige with pure fun, delivering:

• A high-stakes battle between rival TV networks, complete with corporate intrigue and personal vendettas.
• Complex character dynamics that evolve with each episode.
• A return to the hedonistic spirit of the 1980s, where indulgence was king.
• An ensemble cast that delivers standout performances, from David Tennant’s commanding presence to Alex Hassell’s charismatic charm.

Whether you’re a fan of soapy dramas, 1980s nostalgia, or simply great television, Rivals Season 2 is a guilty pleasure worth embracing.