Rivals just introduced a shocking secret daughter reveal before season 2 goes on a break.
During the Friday, May 29, episode of the hit Hulu series, Rupert (Alex Hassell) signed an autograph for a fan named Perdita, who readers of Jilly Cooper‘s 1991 novel Polo know is a crucial character. In the book, Perdita eventually realizes that Rupert is her long-lost father.
“I don’t really know [what that introduction means], to be honest,” Hassell, 45, exclusively told Us Weekly.
Hassell noted he was just as intrigued as viewers would be, adding, “I’m very interested myself, but I’m sure it’s complicated knowing Rupert.”
Based on Cooper’s novel of the same name, Rivals focuses on a feud between two men fighting for control of a television station in 1980s Britain. While viewers waited to see whether Tony (David Tennant) or Rupert would come out on top, Hassell’s character and his personal life continued to intrigue audience members.
The show’s second season, which premiered in May, is split into two parts. With the second half expected to debut in the winter, viewers will have time to ponder the major onscreen revelations from the first six episodes.
Hassell and his costar Bella Maclean, meanwhile, teased “some amazing work, amazing scenes and brilliant writing” that will get “quite dark” at certain points in part 2. The duo also addressed their onscreen age gap — and the role it plays in Rupert and Taggie’s (Maclean) complicated romance.
“I’ve certainly never been part of something before that is having a ripple effect in the real world,” Hassell shared with Us about the reception to Rupert and Taggie’s 16-year age difference. “It’s fascinating.”
Maclean, 29, meanwhile, recalled her initial concerns.
“We were probably nervous at points about the age gap,” she noted. “It’s so funny that we’re certain that people who we thought maybe would be curious or maybe were not such a big fan of the relationship ended up being people who loved it the most. It’s incredible.”
After seeing the online response, Hassell pointed out that Rupert and Taggie’s romance is more than just an age gap, adding, “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. It is a very potent fantasy for young people.”
Rivals airs Fridays on Hulu.
