‘Rivals’ Star Reveals How She and David Tennant Created Season 2's Biggest Plot Twist

Emily Atack Reveals Her and David Tennant's Involvement in Sarah's Big Baby Daddy Twist

COLLIDER: Emily, the shock that I had this season when I found out that Sarah's baby is not James's and is actually Tony's, I was like, “Oh my god!” What was your first reaction when you learned about it?

EMILY ATACK: Well, it was kind of mine and David [Tennant]'s idea — I mean, David says it was his idea; I think it was my idea — that was put forward to the writers. It's so weird talking about it, as well, because we haven't been allowed to talk about it for so long, but yeah, I think it just gives it such an added layer. Because I'm interested to know, and we all hope that everybody will be just as shocked as everyone else was. But I just think it's such a different angle to go down, and I'm thrilled. It gives Sarah so much to do. It just makes it extra interesting.

OLIVER CHRIS: It really tangles the web, doesn’t it?

ATACK: Yeah. It really tangles that web.

CHRIS: It's so brilliant. And Rivals is so much about the sex that you can see, but it's so awesome that such a massive story point is all about the sex that we never knew happened.

Honestly. I was like, “Oh my god, this changes everything.”

ATACK: Yeah, but it kind of makes sense. You can totally imagine that.

Atack and Oliver Chris Reveal the Complicated Shoot Behind the Dinner Party Scene in Season 2

"It took teamwork. And actually, for once, we really weren't allowed to get the giggles."

There's that really funny scene in Episode 2 when Sarah hosts a dinner party, and everybody's there, and everybody's asking, “Is it my child?” It kind of made me giggle a little bit. But having such a large cast for some of those scenes, I'm curious, who broke the most on camera? I can imagine you guys are having a lot of fun that day.

ATACK: That particular day, I have to say, was one of the days that we didn't. We were so nervous about getting that right because it was all done in one take. So it's, like, a 20-pager, and it was all done in one go.

CHRIS: Masterfully handled by Emily Atack. She did it so unbelievably brilliantly.

ATACK: Everyone was brilliant in it. It took teamwork. And actually, for once, we really weren't allowed to get the giggles. I just knew that if we did, we'd all get in a lot of trouble, so we were very well behaved that day.

CHRIS: We really were. You forget when you watch it that there's an entire camera crew in the room with you, and it's just a testament to the DOP and the cameraman, Justin [Hawkins]. It's such a testament to Justin, who's holding this camera for 20 minutes, diving around tables and up stairs and in cupboards. It's just an extraordinary feat. The sound crew swinging the boom and all of that is happening. So us as actors, it's not the time for us to, like, screw around too much. We really need to show those guys and their genius some respect and give them what they need to show their mastery.

ATACK: And we just fed off each other's energy so much. It was so high energy, and it was exhausting, and it was thrilling. It's like a play, almost. But I felt really honored to do that with this bunch.

CHRIS: It was a total masterclass by Emily.

ATACK: Oh, stop it.

Atak Discusses Rupert and Sarah's New Friendship After Episode 2

"... sometimes those are the good friendships because you really know each other, and you don't promise each other those romantic things."

When everything falls apart for Sarah, she goes running to Rupert, which I think is an interesting parallel to her relationship in Season 1 with him. What is it like exploring that more platonic relationship, and what was your big takeaway from that for Sarah?

ATACK: Alex Hassell and I, we were really happy that we got to do those scenes together, because I think it's a really unique way of looking at relationships and the complexity of them. I think it's nice to show that you can have a bit of a chaotic sex life with someone, but you can still be mates afterwards. I’m mates with loads of people that I've messed around with, and sometimes those are the good friendships because you really know each other, and you don't promise each other those romantic things.

But then, I like that they've gone there with the writing of exploring that there is something else to be had there with them that isn't just sex. That was really lovely, and I thought almost quite a modern, realistic look at friendships and relationships, and that fluidity and openness, and people being more forgiving with sexual partners and things like that. So, yeah, I found that really, really interesting. I just love working with Alex Hassell, as well, because he's amazing.

Chris Breaks Down James Vereker's Psyche in Season 2 of 'Rivals'

"I think he's just perplexed that everyone is not coming to him as a first call."

Oliver, James is always seen as sort of a comedic relief character, but I get the sense that he cannot handle the fact that he's not in the limelight, and after Declan leaves, I feel like he's like, “I have my chance,” but now Beattie’s in there. What are his feelings about continuously getting pushed aside?

CHRIS: Well, I don’t think he likes it. I think that one of James’s defining characteristic is he's so vain and so self-obsessed. It just doesn't exist in his sphere of conception that people don't think he's, like, God's gift to everything and want him to do everything. He wants to head up Corinium while at the same time being a mole for Venturer. I think he's just perplexed that everyone is not coming to him as a first call. I think it would absolutely blow his mind to know that everyone thinks he's a complete buffoon, entirely useless, and fairly repulsive.

Atack and Chris Tease the Future of Season 2 With Just One Word

That's fair. My last question to wrap up, if you could use one word to describe your character’s story by the end of this season, what word would you use?

ATACK: Surprising.

CHRIS: That's a very good, noncommittal one-word.

ATACK: I know, but I'm so scared, because we get told off when we say things.

CHRIS: Yeah, that's true. I'd say I'm going to go with cracked.