The 33 Hottest ‘Rivals’ Sex Scenes, Ranked
Like the rest of the world, we’re absolutely obsessed with Rivals. What’s not to love? Slutty mustaches, British accents, men on horseback, 1980s fashion, and a truly ridiculous amount of sex scenes. Oh, and we mean a lot.
Because if there’s one thing Rivals knows how to do well, it’s let its characters get it on. And on, and on, and on. Just how author Jilly Cooper intended it for these Rivals couples.
Almost every single episode of Rivals features a sex scene (if not multiple), and sometimes we’re treated to four different couples getting passionate at the same time — although sadly never in the same place. Given just how important, dramatic, and downright memorable these moments are, we decided it was time to create the definitive ranking as we wait for the rest of Season 2.
Yes, all 33 Rivals sex scenes. Enjoy our completely scientific breakdown, and then go take a very cold shower.
Rivals, Season 2, Part 1, Streaming Now, Hulu & Disney+
Rivals, Season 2, Part 2, November 2026, Hulu & Disney+
33. Tony & Monica (Season 1, Episode 6)
It’s become increasingly clear that Monica (Claire Rushbrook) and Tony (David Tennant) had a formal, loveless marriage, so we’re honestly quite surprised we ever saw them having sex at all.
Six episodes into the first season, the pair is doing missionary with him on top. There’s a lack of intimacy or even pleasure in the experience. After the deed is done, he rolls off and kisses her hand, before getting dressed and leaving for another bedroom. And they say romance is dead!
32. James & Lizzie (Season 2, Episode 3)
Why do married couples have the worst sex in Rivals? James (Oliver Chris) decides he wants to have sex with his wife, much to her dismay, and so the pair goes straight into missionary. There’s no kissing, no foreplay, and he’s singing as he goes. He finishes, and to no one’s surprise, she doesn’t.
31. Archie & Kevin (Season 1, Episode 4)
Who doesn’t love some second base in the forest during pheasant hunting? Tony stumbles upon his teenage son, Archie (Louis Landau), getting some hand action from local boy Kevin (Jamie Bisping) and smoking a joint. What a sight for sore eyes.
His reaction? A deeply unimpressed groan before turning around to leave, only to immediately step on a loud stick and make the whole situation even more painfully embarrassing. Our worst nightmare summed up.
Why does it score higher than the previous two Rivals sex scenes? Well, at least both parties are into it.
30. Sarah & James (Season 1, Episode 7)
Jealous that James’ wife will be on screen with him, Sarah (Emily Atack) decides to make her feelings known by sneaking into his dressing room and seducing him. The moment is brief but full of tension, and then Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) appears outside and hears what’s happening.
The discovery clearly rattles her, and it follows her into the screen test, where the distraction threatens to throw her off completely.
29. Maud & Tony (Season 2, Episode 4)
Maud (Victoria Smurfit) arrives at Tony’s office under the guise of an audition, but she quickly realizes there’s something else going on — and decides to play along.
She slips into character with an English accent, flirts with him, touches herself, and throws her red knickers at him, which he promptly sniffs. The scene builds the tension between them, but cuts away before things go any further.
28. Sarah & Paul (Season 2, Episode 3)
Paul (Rufus Jones) comes home after celebrating his political victory to find his pregnant wife has returned. She’s waiting for him in an apron, cooking and apologizing for everything that happened.
The pair reconnects as she kisses him and tries to make amends, before dropping down on her knees. He looks very pleased.
27. Maud & Declan (Season 2, Episode 6)
Declan (Aidan Turner) tells Maud about how he almost slipped up with Cameron (Nafessa Williams), while she remains silent about her own recent infidelity. The pair reaffirms their love for one another before sharing a passionate kiss.
We see them together in bed, with their chemistry and intensity completely undeniable. There’s a real sense of connection between them, but Maud appears slightly distracted at moments — a reminder that despite their declarations of love, there are still secrets lingering between them. Declan and Maud have some trouble ahead.
26. Taggie & Rupert (Season 1, Episode 6)
The only Taggie (Bella Maclean) and Rupert (Alex Hassell) sex scene in Rivals, and it’s just a dream?! We feel cheated. Taggie imagines Rupert biting into a roly-poly pastry, seductively eating it, jam dripping down his fingers. Then he softly kisses her and lays her down onto the grass as they start to – she wakes up. Boo.
25. Maud & Tony (Season 2, Episode 5)
Tony comes to visit Maud at her home after realizing her family is away. She’s playing the piano when he compliments her, but the mood quickly shifts as the chemistry between them takes over.
They kiss with Maud seated on the piano, knocking the sheet music to the floor in the process. Then the scene cuts to the aftermath, with the two of them lying together on the ground.
A little frustrating because we miss the main event, but the tension between them is very much there.
24. Rupert & Sarah (Season 1, Episode 2)
We’re at a dinner party, and Rupert and Sarah are once again proving they have absolutely no fear of being caught. They sneak away for a private moment, despite Sarah’s husband being just one room away and the fact that they were recently exposed.
Taggie ends up witnessing the whole thing through a cracked door (a little accidental voyeurism never hurt anyone, right?) before Rupert catches her watching and makes eye contact. It’s an undeniably charged moment, and Taggie is clearly just as affected by the tension as we are.
23. Gerald & Charles (Season 2, Episode 3)
Rupert won the election, and Gerald (Hubert Burton) knew exactly where he wanted to go to celebrate. As they have sex, he tells Charles (Gary Lamont) how proud he is of Rupert and how devoted he is to Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister.
Charles asks him to stop discussing Mrs. Thatcher, clearly frustrated by his support, but despite their differences, they kiss and continue. Red-faced and sweaty, it’s a surprisingly sweet sight.
22. Rupert & Cameron (Season 1, Episode 8)
Unbeknownst to Tony, Cameron and Rupert’s affair is still very much ongoing. As Tony attempts to call his mistress, Rupert is caught up in the moment with her instead.
The pair is laughing, flirting, and completely wrapped up in their sexual attraction. However, they could show us a bit more. What a tease.
21. Sarah & James (Season 1, Episode 5)
Not the Miss Congeniality role play! James walks into the dressing room to find Sarah fully committed to the fantasy — dressed in black lingerie, a sash, and an oversized tiara.
She puts on a playful performance, and James is completely captivated. They quickly give in to each other, leading to another very public display of passion that leaves anyone walking past the dressing room very aware of what’s happening inside.
We’re discovering that subtlety has never been Sarah’s strong suit. Or James’, for that matter.
20. Rupert & Nathalie (Season 1, Episode 3)
Santa kink? After this scene, we can certainly see why someone might be interested. Rupert puts on the festive costume and delivers a very confident striptease for the very appreciative Nathalie (Charlotte Mangel).
Let’s just say this is not the kind of Santa visit you’d expect on Christmas morning.
19. Maud & Tony (Season 2, Episode 5)
Shots of Maud and Tony together in his office are interspersed with her husband, Declan, and Tony’s former lover, Cameron, dancing and growing increasingly close. The parallel scenes heighten the tension between both couples.
We even get a very Titanic-style shot of Maud’s hand against the office window from the outside, alongside slow, naked grinding from the pair. Not too shabby.
18. Bas & the fivesome (Season 1, Episode 3)
Five people and Bas (Luca Pasqualino). Talk about a crowd. Bas celebrates the beginning of the new year his way — with a fivesome. The scene is brief, but it’s enough to prove that Bas is every bit the rake Rupert is. In Season 2, Bas reminisces about his fivesome right after hearing that Taggie’s parents forgot her birthday.
17. Rupert & Sarah (Season 1, Episode 1)
Now, Rupert and Sarah aren’t actually having sex in this scene, but it’s very clear that it has happened before and will almost certainly happen again. Instead, they are stark naked in the sunshine, playing tennis while lobbing filthy innuendos across the court.
Funnily enough, this also serves as Rupert and Taggie’s meet-cute, and it’s giving serious enemies-to-lovers energy from the start. Poor Taggie is just trying to go about her day when she’s unexpectedly confronted with rather more of Rupert than she bargained for.
Let’s just say she gets quite the eyeful of his assets.
16. Maud & Declan (Season 1, Episode 3)
The morning after the wild party, Maud is feeling left out, and Declan quickly tries to fix that. He begins touching her, and we’re treated to a gloriously naked Declan, Maud’s breathless reactions, and all the usual chemistry these two bring.
It’s an interesting scene because it starts with Declan asking Maud how she wanted another man to touch her — and then recreating it for her. A little bit of fantasy, a little bit of jealousy, and perhaps a hint of a cheating kink? Either way, this couple continues to prove they have one of the most adventurous marriages on the show.
15. Gerald & Charles (Season 1, Episode 2)
At the office celebrations, Gerald and Charles sneak away for a private moment. Charles is understandably nervous about being caught, but Gerald is far less concerned and fully embraces the thrill of it.
The scene gives us a glimpse of a more confident, commanding side of Gerald, as he takes control of their chemistry and passion. It’s brief, but it leaves us wanting much more from these two.
14. Maud & Declan (Season 1, Episode 2)
Declan arrives home to find Maud at the piano, and the chemistry between them is immediately obvious. He begins touching her and remarks, “Christ, you’re wet,” as she reveals she’s been waiting for him all evening, despite spending the last hours dancing and flirting with Rupert.
Once again, Declan and Maud prove that decades of marriage haven’t done anything to dull their spark.
13. Daysee & Johnny Friedlander (Season 1, Episode 2)
In a back room at the office, these two are very much not discussing business. Johnny is at Corinium to be interviewed by Declan for his new show, while Daysee (Lara Peake) is technically supposed to be doing her job. Instead, they’re having a passionate rendezvous between meetings.
The funniest part? Johnny pauses mid-makeout session to take a swig of whiskey and offers some to Daysee. Her response: “I’m working.” Not enough to stop what they’re doing, apparently, as the pair immediately picks up where they left off.
Sadly, their fun is cut short when a thoroughly unimpressed Cameron walks in on them. Talk about bad timing.
12. Rupert & Cameron (Season 2, Episode 1)
In their little house far away, as they hide from Tony, Rupert and Cameron passionately make love in the rays of sunlight. Afterward, they lie together naked, smoking a cigarette and softly talking.
It’s not as extensive as some of their other sex scenes, but it’s no less intimate and definitely not bad by any means.
11. Maud & Declan (Season 2, Episode 1)
Declan surprises Maud in London, and they enjoy a romantic evening together — dinner, dancing, and finally heading back for a more intimate moment. They slowly undress before the scene shifts to the shower, where they continue their passionate reunion surrounded by steam.
There’s a real sense of intimacy between them as they reconnect, with beautiful jazz music setting the mood. Afterward, the couple lies naked by the fire, smoking and enjoying the aftermath of their night together.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Declan and Maud scene without some drama. The mood is ruined when Maud realizes Declan never actually went to the play as he claimed, and she promptly kicks him out, leaving him standing naked in a hotel corridor.
10. Everyone (Season 1, Episode 6)
Rivals loves a good sex montage, that’s for sure. This time, we have Rupert and Cameron undressing, as seen through a window. Cut to Tony’s brother, Bas, and a woman having sex on some barrels of hay. Archie and Kevin are back, this time in golf clothes and getting it on against a golf cart. Sarah and James are having sex against a car. Two others are doing it on the floor by a bunch of chickens. Then Rupert and Cameron are inside on an animal print blanket, totally naked. So much is happening, and we love all of it.
9. Rupert & Cameron (Season 1, Episode 6)
This Rivals sex scene can rival pretty much any experience we’ve ever had, or even dreamed of. Rupert and Cameron are on a balcony in Malaga as the sun rises, smoking a cigarette and smiling at each other after a lust-filled night. She tells him exactly how he should go down on her this time, and he reminds her that he is “a member of the clitory party.” He gets to his knees and starts business, and she is loudly moaning on the hotel balcony. We might need a cold shower after that one.
8. Maud & Declan (Season 1, Episode 1)
Just after returning from Tony’s big bash, the pair gets into a heated argument over Maud’s flirting. One minute she’s yelling at him, the next they’re furiously making out — despite their two daughters being in the room. Things escalate quickly as Maud and Declan start tearing each other’s clothes off and disappear into their own world.
Later, their very enthusiastic reconciliation can be heard from elsewhere in the house. As Lizzie narrates her latest novel, we’re treated to a montage of the pair wrapped up in passion, including a memorable mirror shot that leaves very little to the imagination.
This Rivals sex scene captures the furious passion of Maud and Declan perfectly.
7. Caitlin & Archie (Season 2, Episode 6)
After some weeks of sneaky hookups, Caitlin (Catriona Chandler) and Archie leave school early so they can have sex for the first time. It’s Caitlin’s first time ever, and Archie is being very respectful of her needs.
We’re taken through it all slowly, with the foreplay, the condom going on, the nerves. It’s a tender and sweet moment, so at odds with the fiery passion we usually see in sex scenes on Rivals. A genuinely beautiful moment. After the deed is done, they lie in a tender embrace until they’re interrupted by the sudden return of his mom. Oops.
It’s a sweet portrayal of the experience of one’s first time and really adds to the storyline.
6. Rupert & Cameron (Season 1, Episode 6)
Rupert and Cameron happen to both be in Malaga, as she is there to receive an award, and he is up to no good. After an evening of flirting and drinking, they return to the hotel and part ways… only to immediately return to each other. Rupert picks her up and tosses her on the bed – hot. He removes Cameron’s panties ever so slowly – hot. They gaze into each other’s eyes, and then we get a close-up of her hand squeezing his ass – so hot.
5. Lizzie & Freddy (Season 1, Episode 8)
Finally! Under a massive, almost poetic-looking tree, Freddy (Danny Dyer) and Lizzie finally give in to the feelings that have been building between them.
Their scene is full of tenderness rather than urgency. They kiss, slowly undress, and take their time exploring the connection between them. There’s a softness to their movements, as if they’re completely lost in the moment.
Freddy pours champagne on her skin and licks it up (add it to the bucket list). Then, being the good man that he is, Freddy goes down on her. Lizzie is completely lost in the moment, finally allowing herself to surrender to the connection between them. We’re biased because this is our favorite affair on television.
4. Rupert & Cameron (Season 2, Episode 2)
The end of Rupert’s election ad continues as the scene changes to him and Cameron truly going for it. In one of the most kinky Rivals sex scenes yet, we see her riding him, in horseriding boots, and smacking a horseriding whip against his beautiful behind. Wow.
Then the shot changes to the pair naked on the stairs, deep in the throes of passion. Then another cut to them in front of a full-length mirror, Cameron in black lingerie as Rupert drives into her, only to be interrupted by his ex-wife. What a journey, and we loved every minute of it.
3. Everyone (Season 1, Episode 1)
A series of steamy scenes unfolds as Lizzie narrates passages from her novel, offering a rather revealing glimpse into the romantic lives of the show’s characters.
Despite his wife being accused of infidelity at Tony’s party, episode one gifts us an unexpectedly lengthy shot of Mr. and Mrs. Stratton reconnecting in the bedroom. Points for Sarah’s stunning lingerie and heels, though her less-than-enthused facial expression suggests she may be mentally elsewhere.
Then comes the episode’s big reveal: Charles and Gerald are secretly involved. A passionate kiss quickly escalates, accompanied by the jaunty shots of Four Men Went to Row.
Elsewhere, Valerie (Lisa McGrillis) appears distinctly unimpressed during a moment with Freddy, while the television also hums away in the background. And finally, there’s Tony and Cameron, whose chemistry is on full display during an intimate encounter that leaves very little to the imagination. One of the Rivals sex montages that includes almost everyone.
2. Rupert & Beattie (Season 1, Episode 1)
The very first shot of the show is a toned backside and a set of perfectly manicured hands grabbing it. Rupert has his trousers down as he hooks up with a fully dressed woman (who we later learn is Beattie Johnson), and she is very clearly having the time of her life.
Then the camera pulls back to reveal the real twist: They’re on a flight. A flight attendant is desperately trying to intervene, while a suspiciously symbolic soap dispenser works overtime in the background. Beattie (Annabel Scholey) reaches her climax as the cabin erupts into applause, then strolls back to her seat without an ounce of shame, casually buttoning up her dress in full view of the other passengers.
She’s quickly followed by Rupert, whose swagger is so powerful that every woman on the plane seems to stop and stare. What an entrance.
1. Lizzie & Freddy (Season 2, Episode 4)
He is reading her book! Freddy’s family is out for the day, so he’s lounging by the swimming pool with a rather smutty novel. Jealous? Absolutely.
Then the author herself arrives, and what a turn-on to discover he’s been reading her work. She’s ready to celebrate her new book deal, and Freddy is more than happy to join in. The pair quickly forgets about the outside world and ends up in the pool together, where they’re sexy, goofy, and passionate. We even get some gorgeous underwater shots and plenty of chemistry between them. And the nudity… wow. Even better? At the exact same time, her awful husband, James, is being stood up.
Honestly, it’s the best sex scene in Rivals — until, of course, reality comes crashing back in when Freddy’s daughter interrupts.
