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Rivals stars reveal how David Tennant's Tony impacts their stories: "She’s completely disassembled"

Tony's villainous reach extends far and wide...

Published: Monday, 9 November 2026 at 9:00 am

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It's safe to say that Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) is an antagonist for the books and while we may not yet know exactly how the death of his wife will impact him in the new Rivals episodes to come, we do know that his actions naturally continue to upend those around him.

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As well as the initial season 2 shocker that he was actually the father of Sarah's (Emily Atack) unborn child, his affair with Maud (Victoria Smurfit) quite literally had tragic consequences.

But how do Sarah and Maud navigate their respective Tony-related situations in the new episodes?

Chatting exclusively to Radio Times, Atack teased of where we find her character in the new season 2 episodes: "There’s a friendship that strikes up between Sarah and Rupert and that's quite nice, he’s given her a place to stay.

"She’s sitting there on the sofa with her Monster Munch going, 'It’s s**t but I’m kind of ok in a bubble'. But it all starts to definitely become darker. The more pregnant she gets, it all starts to become very real and very serious."

Victoria Smurfit standing on a front lawn in the darkness, wearing a jumper, skirt and beret and being illuminated by light.

Victoria Smurfit in Rivals season 2. Disney Plus

She adds: "There is a scene between her and Paul and you wonder how they’re going to navigate it all together. It becomes this desperate attempt to try and make a family and make everything ok once she stops pissing about at Rupert's with her crisps, watching the telly. But yes, it all comes to a head."

In regards to Maud, Smurfit also explained: "I think Maud, for the first time in her life, is completely disassembled. A lot of her masks that she wears and pretentions just disappear because they have come to nothing. She's not thriving."

Maud's fraternisation with Tony was an unexpected move this season, especially seeing as her husband Declan (Aidan Turner) is one of Tony's arch enemies after he made the leap from Corinium to head up his own TV company with Rupert (Alex Hassell). All eyes will undoubtedly be on the new season 2 episodes to see how Tony changes – if at all – in the aftermath of Monica's death but also how it may impact his franchise bid focus.

Read more:

The season 2 part 2 description reads: "As the return to the scandal and excess of 1987 edges closer, the residents of Rutshire reunite for more revelry, rivalry and romance, but as the stakes ramp-up they must face tragedy, heartbreak, backstabbing, and betrayal head on.

"Episodes 7-12 pick up after the heartbreaking mid-series finale. Tony Baddingham and Declan O'Hara's battle for the Cotswolds crown reaches fever pitch, while Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons."

It continues: "Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise war, Taggie O'Hara must find the courage to follow her heart, while those around her face the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that can no longer remain hidden. But as series two draws to a close, who will get their happy ending?"

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Rivals season 2 episodes 7-9 arrive on Wednesday 11 November on Disney+, with the remaining three episodes then arriving weekly. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month.

Add Rivals to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

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