Rivals<\/em> shocked viewers by killing off a major character in a shocking book change.<\/a><\/p>\n During the Friday, June 5, episode of the hit Hulu series, Rupert (Alex Hassell<\/strong>) told Tony (David Tennant<\/strong>) that his wife, Monica (Claire Rushbrook<\/strong>), had died. \u201cWe found her,\u201d Rupert told Tony. \u201cA tree fell and hit the car. Caitlin got out but \u2026 Monica\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n The aftermath of that shocking twist will continue into<\/a> the second half of the season.<\/p>\n Based on Jilly Cooper\u2019s 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<\/strong>) or Rupert would come out on top, Hassell\u2019s character and his personal life continued to intrigue audience members.<\/a><\/p>\n The show\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Hassell and his costar Bella Maclean<\/strong>, meanwhile, teased \u201csome amazing work, amazing scenes and brilliant writing\u201d that will get \u201cquite dark\u201d at certain points in part 2. The duo also addressed their onscreen age gap<\/a> \u2014 and the role it plays in Rupert and Taggie\u2019s (Maclean) complicated romance.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve certainly never been part of something before that is having a ripple effect in the real world,\u201d Hassell shared with Us about the reception to Rupert and Taggie\u2019s 16-year age difference. \u201cIt\u2019s fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n Maclean, 29, meanwhile, recalled her initial concerns.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/themes\/us-weekly\/assets\/img\/newsletter-bg-narrow.jpg\")
\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/themes\/us-weekly\/assets\/img\/newsletter-bg-wide.jpg\")
<\/p>\n