Emily Atack has opened up about her character Sarah Stratton in the hit series Rivals, praising author Jilly Cooper for crafting complex female characters that challenge traditional narratives. The 36-year-old actress, best known for her role in The Inbetweeners, appeared on This Morning alongside co-star Danny Dyer to discuss the show, whose second season premiered on Disney+ just hours before.
Understanding Sarah Stratton
Atack portrays Sarah Stratton, the pregnant second wife and former mistress of MP Paul Stratton, played by Rufus Jones. In the first season, Atack famously appeared nude in a scene where she used a tennis racket to cover her modesty. Reflecting on her character, Atack explained how Cooper's writing allows audiences to empathise with morally ambiguous characters.
"Sarah is such an amazing character to play," Atack said. "I feel so grateful that women like her are finally being written with complexity and nuance. The writing is incredible." She added that Cooper's work makes readers "root for people you should hate" and provides insight into why women historically used their sexuality to achieve their goals.
Cooper's Impact on Female Representation
Atack highlighted how Cooper's characters, including Sarah, challenge the tendency to vilify women who use their sexuality. "You don't condone the behaviours, but you start to understand why women had to use their sexuality to get what they want," she explained. "That's fun to play, and I'm so happy women are being written more complex now."
Nudity and Comfort on Set
While Atack kept her clothes on for the first part of season two, she expressed openness to future nude scenes, describing the process as "liberating." Speaking to Sky News, she addressed potential criticism: "Of course there are people who try to spin a negative narrative. But I'm exactly where I need to be—at work, playing a role, very comfortable on a closed set." She emphasised the importance of intimacy coordinators and a supportive crew.
Post-Baby Body Image
Atack's return to Rivals follows her son Barney's birth two years ago. She previously addressed speculation about weight loss injections, though she has not commented directly. On Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast in November 2024, she spoke about the pressure new mothers face to lose baby weight. "There's something liberating about having a baby," she said. "Your body goes through so much. The first thing people say is, 'When are you going back to the gym?' Are you kidding? I've just created a human!"
Atack concluded, "I'm not back at the gym. I've put on more weight since giving birth. I'm just enjoying this bit."
