'80s Romance
10 ‘Rivals’ Couples, Ranked
It’s hard to think of any show that has relationships as complicated as Rivals does across the board.
The scandalous, juicy, can’t-stop-watching Hulu drama (based on Jilly Cooper’s novel of the same name) covers it all. From age gap and slow burn (Alex Hassell‘s Rupert and Bella Maclean‘s Taggie) to workplace romances (David Tennant‘s Tony and Nafessa Williams‘ Cameron, Oliver Chris‘ James and Emily Atack’s Sarah) to passionate marriages (Aidan Turner‘s Declan and Victoria Smurfit‘s Maud) to infidelity (pretty much everyone), there are plenty of couples to love, hate, and love to hate.
Below, we’ve ranked the show’s couples. Let us know which you consider the best in the comments section.
Rivals, Season 2, TBA, Hulu
10. Tony and Cameron
Sure, Tony and Cameron have their moments of sweetness, notably after winning an award and when they dance together in public, and there is possibly love there. But he is still married, and despite his offer to leave his wife (Claire Rushbrook‘s Monica) and offer of a ring, it doesn’t feel like these two could ever have a future together — and that’s true pretty much from the start of their affair being revealed. Then you factor in that shocking finale and him hitting her, and, well, could they be anywhere but at the bottom of this list?
9. James and Sarah
There’s really nothing to root for in this affair — especially considering how much we love James’ wife Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson), more on her later — but in the scheme of things, it might be among the least damaging? You don’t even get the sense that this relationship is one that would last or that anyone involved cares if it doesn’t. (Really, the only one who, in the end, would be upset is probably Sarah’s husband Paul, played by Rufus Jones. Lizzie ends up doing much better.)
8. Freddie and Valerie
It’s not that we like Freddie (Danny Dyer) and Valerie (Lisa McGrillis) together, but we do respect that he stands up for his wife after catching Tony and others making fun of her; it’s why he decides he can’t join Corinium’s board and ends up working with Rupert and Declan instead.
7. Taggie and Seb
There is nothing wrong with this relationship, really, except Seb (Milo Callaghan) is not Rupert. If not for Taggie’s slow burn romance with Rupert, in fact, we wouldn’t mind seeing her with Seb. He seems nice enough (especially in this cutthroat world of television), he chose her father Declan’s side in the fight for the franchise, and we’ve seen nothing from him that suggests he’d treat her poorly. That being said, there’s no passion between Taggie and Seb, and she deserves that and more.
6. Tony and Monica
The only reason this relationship is as high as it is on the list, considering Tony’s affair with Cameron, is that Monica seems content to leave things be — until she can’t ignore it any longer and gives him an ultimatum. But she doesn’t need him to live the life she wants (she has old money), and she hasn’t fooled herself into thinking their romance (separate bedrooms, sex rarely) is anything it’s not.
5. Declan and Maud
Easily the hottest couple of the show — uncomfortably so for their daughters Taggie and Caitlin (Catriona Chandler) — but also among the most dramatic, Declan and Maud have it all: love, passion, and possibly irreconcilable differences. They almost feel like the couple you’re not quite sure if you want to break up for good (for their own self interests) or work out their issues. (We’re hoping for the latter.) She loves the attention she gets from her career and other men and she’ll cheat, while he won’t but has a mistress in his work (which takes up more time than an affair). Still, that smile even as she walks away when she realizes that he can compete for the franchise because of his pitch? That is why we hope for them to get back together.
4. Cameron and Rupert
Listen, if there wasn’t Taggie and Rupert, we’d definitely want these two to make it work. Sure, Rupert uses their time together in Spain to steal Corinium’s pitch from her, but he also makes Cameron happy. She laughs, she smiles, she’s recognized for her hard work at the dinner with his friends, and it feels like he’ll protect her when things go south (as they do in the finale, with Tony). But unfortunately for (and unbeknownst to) her, there is no real future here because she’s not Taggie. And Cameron deserves better than to be someone’s second choice.
3. Charles and Gerald
One of the major changes from the book is the addition of Charles (Gary Lamont) and Gerald’s (Hubert Burton) romance. And we like that the show doesn’t shy away from the fact that, in the ’80s and with Gerald a politician, they can’t be out. But when they reunite, albeit with the caveat that they must keep their relationship a secret and Gerald will have to get married, in the finale? Oh, that makes us smile.
2. Rupert and Taggie
Oh, we love a good slow burn, and Rupert and Taggie are the definition of one. Who can forget how they met (him naked on his tennis court)? She inspires him to change for the better and brings out the best (the more caring side) in him, and she learns to stand up for herself with his encouragement. Sure, their age gap and Declan being against the relationship are obstacles, but that just makes for good television. When they finally kiss in the finale? His “I can’t breathe without you”? Swoon!
1. Freddie and Lizzie
Freddie and Lizzie’s relationship is by far the best of the show. They have us rooting for infidelity! Neither is truly happy in their respective marriages, and there’s something so sweet about the two of them together. Freddie cares about Lizzie’s writing, and the moment he runs after the train to retrieve her manuscript seals the deal for us. We’re right there with Rupert, handing them the champagne to sneak off together in the finale.
