Warning: spoilers for Rivals season 2 episode 6.
We’ve got some terrible news for you, dear reader. Rivals season 2 is over.
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but I feel like the late Dame Jilly Cooper would appreciate us adding some drama to proceedings.
The popular bonkbuster isn’t over, as in it’s never coming back, it’s taking a mid-season break.
This might come as a surprise to you, as it feels like the show only just came back, but it’s sadly true.
We won’t be back in Rutshire next week or the week after next. In fact, we’ve potentially got a very long wait ahead of us.
How long exactly? Well, you might want to sit down before you read on.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
What happened at the end of Rivals season 2 episode 6?
Rivals season 2 episode 6 ended with a distraught Monica (Claire Rushbrook) – who had discovered Tony’s (David Tennant) affair with Maud (Victoria Smurfit) – choosing to leave her cheating husband.
In a blistering scene that left Tony at rock bottom, Monica gave the deplorable TV tycoon both barrels, branding him ‘disgusting’ and ‘manipulative’. She finished by promising to expose his affairs to the public and claiming she would divorce him.
Unfortunately, her triumph was short-lived, as after leaving the family home to tell Declan (Aidan Turner) about his wife’s infidelity, Monica was killed when a tree branch collided with her car.
Her untimely death means that Tony and Maud’s secret is safe (for now), but Monica’s final fury did inspire one other big twist.
After Monica and Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) had a heart-to-heart, the author was inspired to live a less timid life. As such, she drove round to Freddie’s (Danny Dyer) house and confessed that she couldn’t live without him, to which he replied: ‘Then don’t.’
As the pair kissed, it was a poignant bow on an otherwise dark episode, but the question is ‘what will happen next in Rutshire?’
Well, sadly, we may have a bit of a long wait before we find out.
When is Rivals season 2 coming back?
If you turn on Disney Plus this time next week, you won’t find a new episode of Rivals. Sadly, the boffins over at Disney have decided to split the season, and it reportedly won’t be back until October 2026, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
Thankfully, it’s not all bad news.
We do know that they shot a total of 12 episodes in the series, so we’ve got six more sordid chapters to enjoy… we just don’t know when in October they’ll be released.
We have asked Disney, but they’re staying quiet for now.
Why the midseason break?
So why has Disney decided to do this? Well, this was always part of the release strategy. We don’t know the exact reason for it- the first series of Rivals was released all at once – but this staggered release pattern is relatively common for shows on streaming services.
Supposedly, they do this for a few reasons, one of which is that it helps them retain subscribers and prevents ‘service hopping’. Basically, they don’t want users signing up to binge a show in a weekend and then immediately cancelling their membership.
Staggered releases also keep TV shows in the zeitgeist for a longer time and ensure more press coverage, which helps promote the show and streaming service.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Sadly, the reaction to the midseason break hasn’t been positive (Disney must believe all press is good press). On X, @_ichbincarlotta wrote: Still l don’t get why you split the series this way. Waiting until October is frustrating, not exciting.’
Another user wrote: ‘I have many, many thoughts, but right now, it’s just a big f*** you to Disney and Hulu for thinking that a 4-month wait was acceptable after that.’
Meanwhile, @spideydee_ probably put it best when they asked: ‘What do you mean I have to wait until October to see what happens next? ‘
What has been teased about the rest of the series?
The exact plot details of Rivals’ season two, part two, are being kept under lock and key right now. However, it’s a pretty good bet that we’ll be dealing with the fallout of Monica’s death, Maud’s affair, and Lizzie deciding to commit to Freddie.
The show’s writer, Laura Wade, also told TechRadar a little bit about what we can expect and why they did that cliffhanger.
‘We’ve got some really huge story moments coming up later in the series, and it’d be lovely for those bits of story to just have a moment to sink in with viewers, building up some anticipation,’ she explained.
‘There’s a massive plot twist at the end of episode six. I think that’s when we break off for four or five months. But I think that will keep people thinking, talking and arguing about what’s going to happen next… in a very good way.’
Rivals season 2 episodes 1-6 are available to stream on Disney Plus now.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.