‘Rivals’: My Taggie & Bas Theory That Needs to Happen in Season 2
What To Know
- Rivals will return for Season 2 in 2026.
- Set photos of Bella Maclean and Luke Pasqualino were released in October 2025.
- Given their established friendship, Season 2 should explore Bas and Taggie’s dynamic more in Season 2.
Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean), you need to make him work for it. And by him, I mean Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell).
After their “he’s not you” and “she’s not you” confession at the end of Rivals Season 1, the road to Taggie and Rupert’s endgame has been paved. But there are many roadblocks they’ll have to face to get there: Declan’s (Aidan Turner) inevitable nuclear reaction, the Cameron (Nafessa Williams) situation, possibly a bombshell secret (IYKYK).
I’ve read Jilly Cooper‘s Rivals, so I know our Rutag suffering is about to get worse (but the yearning will be epic) before it gets better. Given Tony’s (David Tennant) threats and near-fatal fight with Cameron, Rupert is likely going to have to make good on his promise to Cameron and protect her from getting sent back to the States.
Does that mean Taggie is going to sit idly by and watch Rupert and Cameron together publicly, pining from across the room, and only having stolen moments in a pantry? Let’s hope not. Taggie needs to have a little fun and make Rupert so jealous that he can’t see straight.
Enter Bas Baddingham (Luea Pasqualino).
Every Rivals fan has seen those Season 2 photos, the ones of Bas and Taggie outside Bar Sinister. Is it a date? Is he just walking her to the car? Is she working at Bar Sinister? We don’t have those answers now, but here’s what we do know: Regardless of the reason, Rupert will be seething if those photos make it into the tabloids.
Hulu
Bas and Taggie had effortless bestie chemistry in Season 1. He always complimented her cooking, and he definitely noticed how upset Taggie was when Cameron joined Venturer, and she had to watch Rupert plant a kiss on her cheek. As Taggie walked away, Bas sweetly grabbed her hand to check on her.
Bas is astute. He’s already picked up on the vibes between Rupert and Taggie. My gut says the show won’t go the full love triangle route with Bas, Taggie, and Rupert. Bas is not the kind of guy to compete in a losing game. Instead, Bas will be a supportive shoulder of support to Taggie when Rupert inevitably does something stupid or has to flaunt his relationship with Cameron.
A couple of flirty nights out and dating rumors never hurt anyone. Rupert could barely contain himself when Seb (Milo Callaghan) took Taggie to the movies. If he thinks Bas and Taggie are dating in Season 2, the Cotswolds might experience an earthquake. If you’ve read Rivals, then you know the Hunt Ball will be the pinnacle of Rutag drama, and a lot of it is thanks to Bas (complimentary).
A fake dating plot to make Rupert jealous is a first priority, but diving deep into Bas and Taggie’s dynamic in Season 2 gives Taggie the opportunity to talk to someone about her feelings for Rupert. Someone who is outside her family, someone who will make her smile and laugh when she doesn’t want to, someone who has no problem being a little mischievous. Someone like Bas.
Bas is ripe for further exploration, given his connections to many of the core characters. Taggie needs someone to vent to. Rupert needs to be jealous. The Taggie and Bas agenda needs to be rolled out in Season 2. It would be, as Bas would say, “ambrosial.”
What do you think, Rivals fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Rivals, Season 2, 2026, Hulu
