The cast of Rivals gathered in full force on Wednesday night to celebrate the London premiere of series two with a star-studded after-party. Emily Atack brought the glamour as she swapped her red carpet silver gown for a white patterned cocktail dress for the bash. The 36-year-old actress, who plays the promiscuous Sarah Stratton, appeared in high spirits as she joined Stanley Tucci and a giggling Fearne Cotton for the festivities.
Although not part of the show, Stanley Tucci, 65, attended to support his wife Felicity Blunt, 45, who served as the literary agent for the late author Dame Jilly Cooper and is an executive producer on the series, which releases on Friday. Fearne Cotton, 44, looked effortlessly stylish in a powder blue suit, accompanied by other television personalities such as Laura Whitmore and Kate Lawler.
Show lead David Tennant, 55, who portrays Tony Baddingham, made a statement in a crushed velvet purple suit. Dermot O'Leary, 52, and his wife Dee Koppang, 47, walked hand-in-hand to the party. Actress Annabel Scholey, 42, turned heads in a fuchsia halterneck gown paired with white heels, while Tony Hadley was spotted exiting a taxi with a suitcase. Victoria Smurfit, 52, who plays Maud O'Hara, looked vibrant in a blue silk dress, and Hayley Atwell, 44, opted for a dramatic collared shirt with a structured blazer and matching skirt.
Based on Dame Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel, the comedy-drama debuted on Disney+ in October 2024 and quickly became a massive hit. The eight-episode first series concluded in December 2024 and was promptly renewed for a second season. The all-star cast, including David Tennant, Emily Atack, and Danny Dyer, returns for more raucous adventures in Rutshire, with the main cast members attending the premiere.
Rivals series two has been met with critical acclaim, garnering numerous five-star reviews ahead of its release on Friday. Sarah Dempster of The Guardian awarded five stars, musing, 'how best to reward such exquisitely knowing escapism? Ten stars? Ten thousand stars? Rivals is beyond earthly praise.' Benji Wilson of The Telegraph agreed with another five-star review, declaring that 'Rivals continues to refresh the parts that other television cannot reach – a heady mix of guilty pleasure, trenchant satire, rambunctious comedy, and out-and-out trash.'
Carol Midgley of The Times described the show as 'gloriously uplifting television' and noted that it is 'unashamedly celebratory and perhaps even better than the last series.' Lacy Baugher of Den Of Geek praised the 'sprawling cast' who 'remain thoroughly excellent throughout,' singling out Emily Atack for stealing the show. However, Rebecca Nicholson of the Financial Times gave three stars, noting that some storylines drag, but acknowledged that 'Rivals is at its strongest when it embraces its silly side.' Nick Hilton of The Independent gave four stars, praising the cast's enjoyment and the show's ability to be 'well-written and well-acted, aspiring to nothing more than being fun.'
Rivals returns on May 15 on Disney+.
