‘Rivals’ Star Alex Hassell Breaks Silence on Rupert’s Secret Daughter Twist Ahead of Season 2 Hiatus

The Hulu series Rivals has taken a dramatic turn after introducing a surprising storyline involving a secret daughter, just as Season 2 heads into a mid-season break.

In the Friday, May 29 episode, Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, meets a young fan named Perdita when he signs an autograph for her. Viewers familiar with Jilly Cooper’s 1991 novel Polo will recognize the name, since Perdita is an important character in the book. In that story, she eventually discovers that Rupert is her long-lost father.

The moment in the episode quickly caught attention from fans, who began speculating about what it could mean for the rest of the season. The show is based on Cooper’s novel Rivals, which follows a power struggle between two men competing for control of a television station in 1980s Britain.

Alex Hassell, speaking to Us Weekly, addressed the reveal but admitted he does not fully know where the storyline is going. He said, “I don’t really know [what that introduction means], to be honest.”

He also added that he is just as curious as the audience about what comes next. He said, “I’m very interested myself, but I’m sure it’s complicated knowing Rupert.”

The introduction of Perdita has added another layer to Rupert’s already complicated personal life. While much of Rivals has focused on his rivalry with Tony, played by David Tennant, the character’s relationships and personal history continue to grow in importance as the story develops.

Season 2 of Rivals premiered in May and is being released in two parts. The first half has already aired, while the second half is expected to arrive later in the year. This break in the season leaves viewers with several unanswered questions, especially following the latest twist.

According to Us Weekly, Hassell and his co-star Bella Maclean also spoke about the upcoming episodes and teased that the second part of the season will take a darker turn. They described the remaining episodes as featuring “amazing work” and “brilliant writing,” with more intense moments ahead.

The show has also drawn attention for the relationship between Rupert and Taggie, played by Bella Maclean. The storyline has sparked discussion online due to their age gap, something both actors have responded to in interviews.

Maclean, 29, admitted she initially had some hesitation about how audiences might react. She said, “We were probably nervous at points about the age gap.” However, she also noted that audience reactions surprised the cast in a positive way, saying that many viewers responded more strongly than expected.

Hassell also commented on the relationship, explaining that the dynamic between the characters goes beyond the age difference. He said, “It is about potentially this young and fairly open-hearted girl with her heart on her sleeve. She is this innocent, naive young woman, and the strength of her love and purity could change the biggest rogue in the whole world.”

He added that this kind of story creates a strong emotional reaction for viewers and continues to fuel discussion around the series.

Rivals continues to stream on Hulu, with the second half of Season 2 expected later this year.

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