David Tennant’s Rivals Leave the Books Behind: Better, Worse, and Worth a Review
A divided season returns
After a long pause, Rivals season 2, part 2 continues the Hulu adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles. The second season has 12 episodes, released in separate batches rather than all at once.
The series began with a contest between Lord Tony Baddingham’s Corinium and the Venturer team, including Rupert Campbell-Black, Declan O’Hara and Freddie Jones. Alongside the fight over a television franchise, the show follows industry corruption, strained marriages and romantic uncertainty.
A darker turn for Rutshire
Monica’s unexpected death marks a major departure from Cooper’s books and darkens the later episodes. The shift also sets up a change in Lord Baddingham, who becomes more isolated and increasingly ruthless.
The story continues to mix professional rivalries with personal betrayals. Several relationships change substantially, giving the characters more room to reveal their motives and inner conflicts.
More stories, less room
The second half gives attention to multiple supporting plots and explores morally complicated choices. Characters who seem admirable can become questionable, while others who appear cruel may draw sympathy.
That broad approach can leave the season feeling crowded and chaotic, given its large cast and limited runtime. Still, the review says the series maintains focus on its main characters, even as it widens Rutshire’s world.
Adaptation beyond the page
Rivals adapts one novel from Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, but the television series makes creative changes rather than following the book exactly. Monica’s death is one clear example of the show taking a different path.
The review presents that wider storytelling as a trade-off: added character depth and a larger world come with less room for some central figures. Those choices may help shape the series in the longer term.
Key points
- Monica’s death is a major change from Cooper’s books.
- Lord Baddingham grows more isolated and ruthless after the darker turn.
- The expanded cast and storylines can make the season feel crowded.
- The series keeps its main characters in focus while widening Rutshire’s world.