While many Rivals fans are holding out hope for a Rupert and Taggie reunion, the real emotional core of Season 2 has shifted to a trio of characters who are anything but power players. Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer), Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), and Valerie Jones (Lisa McGrillis) have become the heart of the show's second half, and the actors behind them are opening up about what makes their tangled relationships so compelling.
In the wake of Monica Baddingham's death, Valerie is grappling with grief and a desperate need for connection. Meanwhile, Freddie and Lizzie's affair has reached a boiling point, with both characters questioning whether they can leave their spouses for good. The cast sat down to break down the emotional stakes, the humor, and the chaos that defines Part 2.
Why Freddie and Lizzie Are the Soulmates of 'Rivals'
Parkinson and Dyer are quick to defend their characters' connection. "They're arguably soulmates, and they met in their late 40s," Dyer says, pointing out that Freddie and Lizzie's bond feels different from a typical affair. "Everyone can be quite twatty, can't they? But we're two of the kindest people in it," he adds, with Parkinson chiming in that both characters are "a bit overlooked" by their spouses.
That sense of mutual appreciation is what makes viewers root for them. "It doesn't feel like an affair where they've just gone and been greedy," Parkinson explains. "There's something missing in their marriage, and they've gone and found each other outside." Dyer teases that Valerie has "some amazing stuff coming up," hinting that the love triangle is far from over.
Valerie's Vulnerable Side and Her Complicated Friendship with Lizzie
McGrillis is thrilled that the writing has given Valerie more depth this season. "It's very clever writing," she says. "James is so awful and self-obsessed, and their relationship is just a bit dead from the waist down." Valerie's attempt to befriend Lizzie, even as Lizzie is sleeping with her husband, adds a heartbreaking layer to the story. "I think Valerie thinks that she's found a friend in Lizzie," McGrillis notes, "which makes it slightly complicated and compromises the affair."
Parkinson's Lizzie, ever the pragmatist, sees it differently: "Maybe you've started to see me as a sort of social-climbing opportunity." The dynamic is ripe for drama, and the actors clearly relish the tension.
The Most Outrageous Scenes: Laxatives and Naked Escapes
No Rivals conversation would be complete without discussing the show's signature outrageousness. McGrillis recalls the scene where Valerie tries to lace her daughter's SlimFast with laxatives, only for it to backfire spectacularly. "The fact that she was trying to sort of, you know, lace her own daughter's SlimFast with a laxative is awful!" she says, laughing. "I love that she got her own back there."
Then there's Freddie's infamous naked escape through the bathroom window, a moment that Dyer describes with his trademark humor. "Bada bing," he quips, channeling his inner Tony Soprano. The scene is pure Rivals chaos, and the cast clearly had a blast filming it.
What's Next After That Cliffhanger?
With Episode 9 ending on an uncomfortable note, fans are desperate to know what's next. Dyer hints that Freddie's loyalties will be tested, while McGrillis promises Valerie has more surprises in store. "Val gets a comeback," Dyer teases. "She's got some amazing stuff coming up!"
As the season barrels toward its conclusion, one thing is certain: the messy, heartfelt, and wildly entertaining world of Rivals is far from done with us. For more on the show's biggest moments, check out our analysis of Taggie's role and the latest streaming news.
