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Rivals star Luke Pasqualino is defending a controversial season 2 story line involving a hookup bet.
During the second part of the season, which premiered on Wednesday, November 11, Bas (Pasqualino) was seen making a bet about how long it would take for Taggie (Bella Maclean) to sleep with him.
“I think for me it was just a bit of bravado,” Pasqualino, 36, tells Us exclusively. “In that moment where Taggie had declined Bas’ advances and his offer to go to the Hunt Ball, I think he felt like he had to try and save face.”
Pasqualino continues: “He decided to puff his chest out and make a false bet with the Carlyle twins. But deep down, I don’t think he actually meant it. I think he does truly care for Taggie and I don’t think he would intentionally ever try and hurt her.”
Based on Jilly Cooper’s novel of the same name, Rivals follows a feud between two men fighting for control of a television station in 1980s Britain. The series has also showcased a surprising bond between Rupert (Alex Hassell) and the much younger Taggie.
Pasqualino, however, hints that fans shouldn’t rule out Bas, who is also still competing for Taggie’s affections.
“There’s still a journey to be had with the love triangle,” he tells Us. “So I definitely think it’s worth keeping a look out for.”
While it isn’t clear who Taggie will choose — unless you’ve already read Cooper’s books — the Rivals cast has enjoyed suggesting out-of-the-box twists. In a recent interview with Us, Maclean, 28, Hassell, 46, and Pasqualino weighed in on Taggie’s complicated love life — and suggested another love interest for her.
“Leonardo DiCaprio,” Maclean said, as Hassell agreed that Taggie “loves those older guys.”
Maclean teased, “I just think an older man would do it,” while Hassell joked he “spoke to Leo yesterday” about the idea.
“I did think he really wanted to come and do it,” he quipped, while Pasqualino added, “He must have been on the phone to you and I tried to call him next.”
Rivals is streaming on Hulu now.
