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Rivals
Promotional poster
Genre	Black comedy Period drama
Based on	Rivals by Jilly Cooper
Directed by	Elliot Hegarty Dee Koppang O'Leary Alexandra Brodski
Starring	Alex Hassell Nafessa Williams Bella MacLean Katherine Parkinson Danny Dyer Victoria Smurfit Oliver Chris Emily Atack Rufus Jones Lisa McGrillis Claire Rushbrook Aidan Turner David Tennant
Composers	Jack Halama Natalie Holt
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producers	Jilly Cooper Dominic Treadwell-Collins Felicity Blunt Alexander Lamb Lee Mason
Producer	Eliza Mellor
Cinematography	John Lynch Carlos Catalán Mark Nutkins
Editors	Oliver Parker Matthew Gray Adam Moss Vicky Tooms
Running time	48-62 minutes
Production company	Happy Prince
Original release
Network	Disney+
Release	18 October 2024 (2024-10-18) – present

Rivals is a television series made for Disney+. It is an adaptation of the 1988 Jilly Cooper novel of the same name. It stars an ensemble cast including David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Alex Hassell, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Emily Atack and Danny Dyer. The first season was released on 18 October, 2024. The series was renewed for a second season in December 2024.

Synopsis

In 1986, British nobleman, old money MP Rupert Campbell-Black and, coming from the bourgeoisie nouveau riche (though married into old money), Tony, Lord Baddingham, have a rivalry that seeps into the world of Baddingham's Corinium independent commercial television station, located in the (fictional) county of Rutshire, in the Cotswolds region of southwest England. Lord Baddingham brings American producer Cameron Cook to help strengthen Corinium's programming, and hires dynamic Irish newsman Declan O'Hara, husband of actress Maud, away from the BBC.

Cast

Main Cast

• Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, a retired Olympian show jumper and notorious womanizer, now working as a Tory MP and sports minister.
• David Tennant as Tony, Lord Baddingham, the ruthless managing director of Corinium Television.
• Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara, a temperamental Irish former BBC journalist who is recruited by Corinium to host his own show at the beginning of the series.
• Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara, Declan's wife and a former actress whose marriage is recovering from an affair she had prior to the series, and is known to be flirtatious with other men.
• Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, an American TV producer who works for Corinium and is having an affair with Tony.
• Bella Maclean as Agatha ‘Taggie’ O'Hara, Declan and Maud's overlooked middle child with aspirations of opening her own catering company.
• Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker, a romance author and resident of Rutshire who is good friends with Rupert and develops a connection with Freddie.
• Oliver Chris as James Vereker, a TV host at Corinium and Lizzie's self-absorbed husband.
• Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, a self-made successful electronics businessman and resident in Rutshire in a loveless marriage.
• Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones, Freddie's wife, a notorious social climber who runs a clothing boutique in town.
• Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, the second wife and former mistress of MP Paul Stratton, with aspirations of being a television presenter.

Supporting Cast

• Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton, a British MP going through a mid-life crisis who is embroiled in an adultery scandal at the beginning of the series.
• Claire Rushbrook as Monica, Lady Baddingham, Tony's wife, an introvert generally uninvested in her husband’s business.
• Luke Pasqualino as Basil 'Bas' Baddingham, Tony's younger and promiscuous half-brother who owns the local bar.
• Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O'Hara, Declan and Maud's eldest child who harbours feelings for Cameron.
• Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara, Declan and Maud's youngest child who is attending boarding school.
• Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn, the controller of programmes at Corinium who has a secret romance with Gerald.
• Bryony Hannah as Deirdre Kilpatrick, an assistant at Corinium.
• Rich Keeble as Brian Hetherington, a director at Corinium.
• Milo Callaghan as Seb Burrows, a journalist at Corinium.
• Lara Peake as Daysee Butler, a production assistant at Corinium.
• Denise Black as Joyce Madden, Tony's assistant.
• David Calder as Fergus Penney, Lady Gosling's right-hand man.
• Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton, Rupert's personal aide and a conservative political hopeful.
• Brendan Patricks as Henry Hampshire, a member of the local Rutshire aristocracy.
• Guy Siner as Bishop Brenton, a clergyman.
• Wendy Albiston as Mrs Makepiece, a housekeeper and help hired by multiple residents of Rutshire.
• Louis Landau as Archie Baddingham, Tony and Monica’s teenage son.
• Maggie Steed as Lady Gosling, the steely no-nonsense chair of Independent Broadcasters Association.
• Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson, a journalist who is in a relationship with Rupert at the beginning of the series.
• Anastasia Griffith as Helen Gordon, Rupert's ex-wife and mother of his two children.

Episodes

Production

In August 2022, it was reported that Disney+ were planning an eight-part adaptation of the Jilly Cooper novel Rivals. Dominic Treadwell-Collins was on the writing and production team, whilst Cooper and Felicity Blunt, Cooper's literary agent, would serve as executive producers on the show. It was reported that the 1980s novel would be given a "contemporary skew".

The lead director is Elliot Hegarty, who is also credited as an executive producer for episodes 1 through 3. Eliza Mellor is a series producer. The project is produced by Happy Prince with Alexander Lamb, Laura Wade, and Lee Mason also as executive producers. Wade is also co-writer with Treadwell-Collins; the writers' room includes Sophie Goodhart, Marek Horn, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Dare Aiyegbayo, Kefi Chadwick, Tray Agyeman, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh.

Casting

Casting in lead roles was announced in March 2023, with David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, and Alex Hassell amongst those cast. That same month, Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner were added to the cast. In May 2023, the cast was rounded out with Lara Peake and David Calder revealed to be joining the series.

Filming

The series, which started filming in March 2023, was one of the initial productions to use TBY2, a newly completed facility at The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, Bristol. Filming also took place in Tetbury in Gloucestershire in March 2023.

Release

The series was released in the UK and internationally, including Australia, on Disney+ and in the United States on Hulu on 18 October 2024.

Reception

Viewership

The streaming aggregator Reelgood, which monitors real-time data from 20 million users in the U.S. for original and acquired streaming programs and movies across subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) and ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) services, reported that Rivals was the tenth most-streamed program in the U.S. during the week of October 10, 2024.

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 94% approval rating with an average rating of 7.7/10, based on 17 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "A caustic comedy with swagger, Rivals makes class warfare and catty behavior addictive viewing." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 84 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic asserted Rivals captures Jilly Cooper's indulgent world of romantic intrigue and class satire. She praised the adaptation's blend of absurdity and serious pleasure, calling Alex Hassell's portrayal of Rupert both excessive and sympathetic. She found the clash between the '80s TV industry and the pastoral Cotswolds setting unified by rampant sexuality, adding a campy charm. Gilbert stated that the show balances humor with affection for Cooper's era and that its joy and lightheartedness offer a welcome contrast to recent, darker TV series. Rachel Cooke of the New Statesman said that Rivals exudes “sheer, unadulterated perkiness,” celebrating Jilly Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles as an unapologetic romp through 1980s British life. She praised the adaptation's treatment as a period piece, reminiscent of Vanity Fair and The Forsyte Saga, praising its humor and satirical edge while avoiding self-consciousness. She found the ensemble cast, particularly Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black and Tennant as Lord Baddingham, delivered standout performances. Cooke described the show as deeply satisfying and entertaining, full of double entendres and cliffhangers, inviting viewers to enjoy humor in the absurdities of social pretensions.

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian gave Rivals five out of five stars. She said the series launches with bold energy and adherence to Jilly Cooper's original, unapologetically scandalous style. Mangan appreciated that Disney+ preserved the novel's essential elements—sex, excess, and Cooper's sharp social observations—without toning them down. She found the adaptation adept at balancing the over-the-top 1980s attitudes with modern sensibilities, noting its "light touch" and genuine commitment to bringing Rutshire to life. Mangan stated that the adaptation's rambunctious joy, coupled with smart humor and a sense of escapism, remains true to Cooper's spirit and offers an exuberant viewing experience. David Opie of Empire rated Rivals four out of five stars. He praised the adaptation for preserving the scandalous and addictive appeal of Jilly Cooper's novels, attributing this to Dominic Treadwell-Collins's expertise in soapy melodrama. He found that the show captures the indulgent spirit of 1980s primetime soaps like Dallas and Dynasty, complimenting the lavish budget and the cast's self-aware performances, especially David Tennant, Aidan Turner, and Katherine Parkinson. Opie stated that the series delivers a “hedonistic riot” and is a confident, nostalgic escape that’s both explosive and endlessly enjoyable.

References

1. Yossman, K. J. (4 December 2024). "'Rivals' Renewed for Season 2 at Disney+ and Hulu". Variety. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
2. Cormack, Morgan (21 March 2023). "David Tennant and Aidan Turner to star in Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
3. • "Cat - Catriona Chandler". Barrel Organ Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2024. ...an actor from Liverpool. After recently graduating from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts...
   • Catriona-Chandler Viewties Magazine
   • Emily, Olivia (18 October 2024). "Catriona Chandler On Bringing Gen Z Energy To The Rivals Set". Country and Town House. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
   • "Letter 6: Liverpool Family". Love, Liverpool: an A to Z of Hope. Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres. Retrieved 26 October 2024. Jump to: Audio stories // Written stories // ....(by Catriona Chandler)
   • "Catriona Chandler". www.gettyimages.com - Getty Images. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
   • "'SPINN' on over to The Hope & Ruin". Brighton and Hove News. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
4. Shaffi, Sarah (25 August 2022). "Jilly Cooper bestseller Rivals set for eight-part TV adaptation". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
5. Rose, Hilary (22 March 2022). "Can Jilly Cooper's Rivals survive a 21st-century makeover?". The Times. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
6. Elder, Lucy (21 March 2023). "Hunt for Rupert Campbell-Black concludes! Cast confirmed for Jilly Cooper's Rivals". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
7. de Semelyan, Phil (22 March 2023). "People are losing their minds over Disney's 'Rivals' cast". Time Out. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
8. Goddard, Lauren (21 March 2023). "Star-Studded "Rivals" Cast Unveiled For Disney+" (Press release). Disney+. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
9. Goldbart, Max; Petski, Denise (21 March 2023). "David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner & Alex Hassell Board Disney+'s Jilly Cooper Adaptation 'Rivals'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
10. "Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner star in adaptation of racy Jilly Cooper novel". Entertainment. Irish Independent. 21 March 2023.
11. Ramachandran, Naman (15 May 2023). "Jilly Cooper's 'Rivals': Power Packed British Cast Join David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner and Danny Dyer on Disney+ Show (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
12. Streeting, Louise (23 March 2023). "Disney+ confirms David Tennant and Danny Dyer for new series being filmed in Bristol". TV. Bristol Post. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
13. Adam, Bertie (20 March 2022). "Rivals: Danny Dyer and David Tennant spotted in Gloucestershire filming new Disney+ series". Celebs & TV. Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
14. Kanter, Jake (21 August 2024). "Disney+ Sets Premiere Date For Jilly Cooper Adaptation 'Rivals'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
15. Gruenwedel, Erik (1 November 2024). "Reelgood: Netflix's 'Woman of the Hour' Tops Weekly Streaming Through Oct. 17". Media Play News. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
16. "Rivals: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
17. "Rivals: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
18. Gilbert, Sophie (1 November 2024). "The Silliest, Sexiest Show of the Year". The Atlantic. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
19. Cooke, Rachel (15 October 2024). "The unadulterated pleasures of Rivals". New Statesman. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
20. Mangan, Lucy (18 October 2024). "Rivals review – even the naked tennis scene is a triumph". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
21. Opie, David (23 October 2024). "Rivals Review". Empire. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

External links

• Rivals at IMDb 

• 2024 British television series debuts
• 2020s British drama television series
• Star (Disney+) original programming
• British English-language television shows
• Television shows shot in Bristol
• Television shows based on British novels
• Television series by ITV Studios