Rivals actress Claire Rushbrook has spoken about her character Lady Monica Baddingham's death, which occurred in the mid-season finale of the Disney+ drama. Viewers saw Monica killed when a tree fell on her car during a storm, leaving fans devastated.
Monica's Shocking Exit
Earlier this year, Rivals viewers were thrilled when Lady Monica Baddingham decided to leave her husband Tony (David Tennant) after his cheating, lies and scheming became too much for her to bear. During the mid-season finale, Disney+ fans watched as she confronted Tony and made it clear she wanted a divorce.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Lady Monica was killed when taking Declan O'Hara's (Aidan Turner) daughter home during a storm. A tree seemed to have fallen on their car, killing Monica in the process. The programme came to a heartbreaking end when Rupert Campbell Black (Alex Hassell) told Tony that Monica had sadly died.
Claire Rushbrook's Reaction
Speaking to Radio Times, actress Claire Rushbrook spoke about finding out her character was going to die in the drama. She commented: "I thought it was just a lovely champagne lunch. Then they walloped me round the head with it."
Touching on her character's exit, Claire confessed she feels a mixture of emotions. She added: "I have big, different feelings: immense pride at incredible scenes to play, and the tangible reaction from the audience. But it's also absolutely gutting. Gutting and glorious."
Fan Reactions and What's Next
When Monica's death happened at the end of the episode, people were quick to share their thoughts, with many left devastated. One person said: "Now whyyyy would they do that to Monica?!" Someone else wrote: "My heart is broken for Monica; she deserved the whole world." Another person commented: "I'm so mad that they killed Monica off. What is this!!!"
One fan shared: "NOT MY POOR MONICA?! NOOO!!! SHE DESERVED TO FIND HAPPINESS." While another shared another theory, commenting: "Until we see a body, I am choosing to believe Monica told Rupert to tell Tony she died and has instead run away to live her best life with Dame Enid (I know she wouldn't leave her children, so she likely is dead, but I'm being delusional; leave me alone)."
Now, there's not long to wait for the second half of season two, as a teaser trailer has been released. Snippets show the characters attending a funeral, most likely Monica's, as a voiceover of Agatha "Taggie" O'Hara (Bella Maclean) admits: "Everything's falling apart." The second half of Rivals returns to Disney+ on November 11 2026.
