Dive into the cutthroat world of (checks notes) British television in the ’80s in this adaptation of perennially horny British author Jilly Cooper’s novel.
How to watch Rivals in the UK
Rivals is streaming in the UK exclusively on Disney+ right this very second.
What is Rivals about?
Set in the fictional British county of Rutshire (Jesus Christ…), Rivals follows the, uh, rivalry between toffs Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) as they clash for control of independent local TV network, Corinium, against a backdrop of upper class excess, adultery, dirty deals, and dirtier assignations.
Luckily, nobody involved seems to be taking things too seriously, with the series being labelled a “bonkbuster.” Cooper wrote a bunch of books collectively called The Rutshire Chronicles, and critical acclaim and strong viewership indicate we’ve got a good chance of seeing more adaptations going forward.
The cast of Rivals
Alex Hassell (The Boys) is Rupert Campbell-Black; David Tennant (Doctor Who, of course) is Lord Tony Baddingham; Aidan Turner (Being Human) is Declan O’Hara; Victoria Smurfit (Once Upon a Time) is Maud O’Hara; Bella Maclean is Agatha O’Hara; Catriona Chandler is Caitlin O’Hara; Nafessa Williams is Cameron Cook; Katherine Parkinson is Lizzie Vereker; Oliver Chris is James Vereker; Danny Dyer is Freddie Jones; Lisa McGrillis is Valerie Jones; Claire Rushbrook is Lady Monica Baddingham; and Luke Pasqualino is Basil Baddingham.
Rivals trailer
Why we’re excited about Rivals
Awful rich people doing awful things to each other is money in the bank these days; just look at critical faves Succession and The White Lotus. This British take on the form looks like it has its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, among other places, and Cooper’s steamy, lascivious prose is ripe for adaptation. Add in a cracking cast he seem to be having an absolute ball, and this might prove to be one of the most enjoyable surprises of the year.
