Sex, scandal, betrayal and excess all feature in Rivals, the starry adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel of the same name, which is streaming on Disney+ now.
Cooper originally released Rivals in 1988 as part of the Rutshire Chronicles, a series of 11 romantic novels that are each set in the worlds of the upper-class. Rivals is the second book in this series and takes readers to the cut-throat world of television and the extravagant yet shallow lives of those who populate it.
With an all-star cast and Cooper acting as an executive producer, Rivals looks set to be streaming’s latest buzzy water-cooler show. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
How can I watch Rivals?
Rivals is streaming now on Disney+ in the UK and on Hulu in the US. The series consists of eight episodes.
Is there a trailer for Rivals?
Yes. The 80s-tastic first teaser trailer for Rivals was released by Disney+ in June. Scored to the sound of Robert Palmer’s 1985 hit Addicted To Love, the teaser shows all of the main players in action.
The second trailer for Rivals took us back to 1986 in an arena of excess in the TV industry. However amid all the partying and champagne popping, there’s more relationship-drama afoot than a trip to Saltburn.
Watch it below.
What happens in Rivals?
As we alluded to above, Rivals is set in the not-so-glamours halls of television production and follows the rivalry between two high-flying people in power.
Set in an over-the-top decade, the show’s synopsis promises to dive “headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986” while following the “shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite.”
Cooper’s original novel follows the rivalry between bitter politician Rupert Campbell-Black and a glamorous television executive named Declan O’Hara and features boardroom betrayals, love affairs, broken marriages and controversy galore.
While it looks like the TV adaptation may have made a few changes in terms of characters, the core concept looks set to remain the same.
Who is in the cast of Rivals?
Rivals features an all-star cast led by Doctor Who’s David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, the controller of the fictional Corinium Television and a character who’s described as “single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical.”
His adversary is Rupert Campbell-Black, played by The Boys’ Alex Hassell. Dashing and good-looking, his character is an ex-olympian and current member of parliament who’s “dangerously charismatic.”
Poldark’s Aiden Turner joins them as a journalist and TV presenter named Declan O’Hara who gets caught in the crossfire of their rivalry.
Nafessa Williams, star of Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody, plays talented American TV executive Cameron Cook, with The IT Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson playing Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist whose love life has dried up. Sex Education’s Bella Maclean stars as Taggie O’Hara, Declan’s determined daughter who inadvertently catches Rupert’s eye.
Throughout the show’s eight episodes, we’ll also see appearances from Danny Dyer, The Inbetweeners’ Emily Atack and Skins star Luke Pasqualino. Other cast members include Catriona Chandler, Oliver Chris, Rufus Jones, Lisa McGrillis, Claire Rushbrook and Victoria Smurfit.
Rivals is streaming on Disney+ now
