David Tennant appears to have another streaming success on his hands, as Rivals season 2 has quickly climbed charts following its return. After dropping its first three episodes, the drama landed at No. 7 on Hulu’s television streaming rankings in the United States, while also reaching No. 7 worldwide on Disney+, signaling strong early momentum for the sophomore season.

The raunchy drama, based on the novels by Jilly Cooper, also climbed to No. 1 in Ireland and the United Kingdom, while cracking the top 10 in markets including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Spain. Internationally, the series streams through Disney+, while Hulu carries the show in the United States.

But while the strong streaming numbers may look impressive, they also continue a surprising rise that began long before season 2 officially arrived.

When Rivals first premiered in 2024, the series arrived with relatively little mainstream attention compared to David Tennant’s better-known television projects like Doctor Who or Good Omens. Yet the show steadily gained momentum through strong reviews, fan word-of-mouth and a growing audience drawn to its mix of scandal, rivalry and dark humor.

Season 1 ultimately went on to win an International Emmy Award for Drama Series, while Tennant also earned a British Academy Television Award nomination for his performance as the ruthless Lord Tony Baddingham.

The show’s success eventually convinced Disney to greenlight a larger second season consisting of 12 episodes, with the rollout now unfolding in batches.

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But for returning viewers, one of the biggest reasons behind the renewed excitement may simply be the escalating chaos unfolding in Rutshire.

Season 2 continues the bitter rivalry between television executive Tony Baddingham and Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, while introducing new conflicts, shifting loyalties and higher personal stakes. According to early reactions, the new episodes significantly raise the drama while expanding character arcs that were only beginning to take shape in season 1.

The sophomore season also introduces new cast additions including Hayley Atwell and Rupert Everett, while continuing to build around returning stars like Aidan Turner and Nafessa Williams.

With reviews for the latest season already trending strongly, Rivals appears well-positioned to extend its unlikely streaming rise even further. For viewers drawn to sharp satire, messy rivalries and layered storytelling, the series could also easily find a place among standout dark drama shows in recent years.

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Have you started watching Rivals season 2 yet, or is this David Tennant drama still flying under your radar? Let us know in the comments.