Emily Atack says Rivals role has ‘completely changed my life’

Rivals star Emily Atack said her role in the smash hit series has “completely changed my life”.

The actress, 36, rose to fame in The Inbetweeners and has since enjoyed a successful television career, presenting shows such as I’m A Celebrity… Extra Camp and appearing in comedy and sketch programmes.

Atack currently stars as the raunchy Sarah Stratton in the award-winning Disney+ drama, which is set against the backdrop of the 1980s Cotswolds and follows the high-stakes world of British television.

Emily Atack stars in Rivals as Sarah Stratton (Ian West/PA)

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The role has marked a turning point in her nearly two-decade career, showcasing her ability to tackle a complex and multi-layered character.

In an interview with the Press Association, Atack said: “It’s completely changed my life. I don’t even know how to describe it.

“I’ve worked in television for a long time, but what I’ve always wanted to do was come back to acting.

“That’s where I started, and that’s where my heart has always been.”

The actress started her career aged 16 after landing a role in ITV crime drama Blue Murder, but she shot to fame in 2008 when she made her debut as Charlotte “Big Jugs” Hinchcliffe in E4 teenage sitcom The Inbetweeners.

Atack has previously spoken about the stereotyping and typecasting that this role spawned, and instead she pursued reality TV opportunities, along with presenting and comedy.

“Different paths took me into different jobs and gave me some amazing opportunities in television, for which I’m incredibly grateful,” she said.

“But making that transition back from television into acting isn’t always straightforward.

“It can be quite difficult, and sometimes that move isn’t necessarily welcomed.

“So to feel so embraced and welcomed back into acting has meant an enormous amount to me.”

Emily Atack started her career aged 16 after landing a role in ITV crime drama Blue Murder (Lucy North/PA)

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Atack continued: “I know it probably sounds indulgent talking about it like this, but it really is a dream. An absolute dream.

“It reminds me that this is where my heart is. I’m so lucky to have had all those other experiences and opportunities, but this is truly where I belong.

“This is what I love.”

Rivals, based on the eponymous novels by the late Dame Jilly Cooper, launched in 2024 and features a star-studded cast including Atack, David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson and Aidan Turner.

The hit TV series will return on November 11 with the second batch of its series two episodes, beginning with a three-episode premiere on Disney+ in the UK and internationally, and on Hulu in the US.