Rivals (TV series)

Last updated

Rivals
Rivals Title Card.webp
Genre
Based on Rivals
by Jilly Cooper
Directed by Elliot Hegarty
Dee Koppang O'Leary
Alexandra Brodski
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
ProducerEliza Mellor
Cinematography
  • John Lynch
  • Carlos Catalán
  • Mark Nutkins
Editors
  • Oliver Parker
  • Matthew Gray
  • Adam Moss
  • Vicky Tooms
Running time48-62 minutes
Production company Happy Prince
Original release
Network Disney+
Release18 October 2024 (2024-10-18) 
present

Rivals is a period comedy-drama television series made for Disney+, adapted from the 1988 novel by Jilly Cooper. 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 series was released on 18 October 2024. Rivals was recommissioned for a second series in December 2024. [1]

Contents

Synopsis

In 1986, the British nobleman and 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. [2] 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

Supporting cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1" Elliot Hegarty Dominic Treadwell-Collins 18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
To bolster his television company, Corinium, Tony, Lord Baddingham recruits renowned journalist Declan O'Hara and ambitious American producer Cameron Cook. As Declan and his family relocate to the countryside, he faces unexpected challenges on his inaugural day at Corinium.
2"Episode 2"Elliot Hegarty Laura Wade 18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Under pressure to deliver a successful new show, Declan collaborates with Cameron, despite their differing approaches. Tony, aiming to secure businessman Freddie Jones for Corinium's board, attends a dinner party where unexpected guests lead to unforeseen complications.
3"Episode 3"Elliot HegartySophie Goodhart18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
During the festive season, Declan is concerned about his wife Maud's extravagant plans for their son's upcoming 21st birthday celebration. Meanwhile, Taggie O'Hara seeks to reconnect with a past love, orchestrating what she hopes will be a memorable evening.
4"Episode 4"Elliot HegartyMarek Horn18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Preparing for a live television interview, Declan aims to challenge Rupert Campbell-Black. Tony invites Freddie to an exclusive pheasant shoot, hoping to persuade him to join Corinium's board. Encouraged by Rupert, Taggie begins to assert her independence.
5"Episode 5"Dee Koppang O'LearyClare Naylor & Mimi Hare18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Corinium Studios is abuzz as preparations are underway for its inaugural beauty pageant and an exclusive interview with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Declan's confidence grows with each successful broadcast, yet he remains driven by a desire for journalistic excellence.
6"Episode 6"Alexandra BrodskiDare Aiyegbayo18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Attending an awards ceremony in Spain solo, Cameron unexpectedly encounters Rupert at the same venue. Rupert takes a strategic risk to support Venturer, a new company poised to challenge Tony's Corinium.
7"Episode 7"Dee Koppang O'LearyKefi Chadwick18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
Upon discovering that Rupert, Declan, and Freddie have established Venturer to compete against his bid for the television franchise, Tony is incensed. However, morale at Corinium lifts when the company receives a prestigious award nomination. Taggie offers her assistance in campaigning for Venturer.
8"Episode 8"Alexandra BrodskiLaura Wade18 October 2024 (2024-10-18)
A paranoid Tony demands unwavering loyalty from his team. As Corinium and Venturer gear up for a pivotal public meeting to determine the franchise's future, both sides employ every tactic to win over the local community.

Production

In August 2022, it was reported that Disney+ were planning an eight-part adaptation of the Jilly Cooper novel Rivals. [4] 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. [5] [6] It was reported that the 1980s novel would be given a "contemporary skew". [7]

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. [8]

Casting

Casting in lead roles was announced in March 2023, with David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, and Alex Hassell amongst those cast. [9] That same month, Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner were added to the cast. [10] In May 2023, the cast was rounded out with Lara Peake and David Calder revealed to be joining the series. [11]

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. [12] Filming also took place in Tetbury in Gloucestershire in March 2023. [13] Filming for the second season began on 21 May 2025. [14]

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. [15]

Reception

Viewership

The streaming aggregator Reelgood, which tracks 20 million monthly viewing decisions across all streaming platforms in the U.S., reported that Rivals was the tenth most-streamed series in the U.S. during the week of 10 October. [16] [17] It remained in tenth place for the weeks ending 6 and 13 November. [18] [19]

Critical response

For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 95% approval rating with an average rating of 7.8/10, based on 38 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "A caustic comedy with swagger, Rivals makes class warfare and catty behavior addictive viewing." [20] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 84 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". [21]

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. [22] 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. [23]

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. [24] 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. [25]

Accolades

The series was nominated at the 2025 Broadcast Awards with "Agatha is shocked to discover Rupert and Sarah playing tennis in the nude" nominated for TV Moment of the Year. [26] That scene was also nominated for Most Memorable moment at the 2025 British Academy Television Awards. [27] Aidan Turner was nominated for Best Actor and Victoria Smurfit for Best Supporting Actress at the Irish Film and Television Awards in January 2025. [28] The series was nominated for New Drama at the National Television Awards. [29]

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef.
2024iTalkTelly AwardsBest New DramaRivalsNominated
Best Breakthrough Bella Maclean Nominated
2025 Broadcast Awards TV Moment of the YearRivalsNominated [30]
Irish Film and Television Awards Best Supporting Actress Victoria Smurfit Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Aidan Turner Nominated [31]
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Drama seriesRivalsNominated [32]
Best Actor Danny Dyer Won [33]
Best Actress Katherine Parkinson Nominated [34]
BPG Breakthrough Bella Maclean Won
Casting Director’s Guild AwardsBest Casting in a TV Drama SeriesKelly Valentine Hendry, Lilly Hanbury and Jessica Mescall (Associates)Won [35]
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Writer - Drama Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade Won [36]
Supporting Actor - MaleDanny DyerWon
Supporting Actor - FemaleKatherine ParkinsonNominated
British Academy Television Awards P&O Cruises Memorable MomentThe Naked Tennis SceneNominated [37]
Leading Actor David Tennant Nominated [38]
Supporting ActressKatherine ParkinsonNominated
BAFTA TV Craft AwardsMake up & Hair DesignJill Sweeney, Abi Brotherton, Natalie Allen, Tiffany Pierre, Franziska Roesslhuber, Martine WatkinsWon [39]
Original Music: Fiction Natalie Holt, Jack HalamaNominated
Production DesignDominic HymanWon
Scripted CastingKelly Valentine HendryNominated
Ivor Novello Awards Best Television SoundtrackJack Halama, Natalie HoltNominated [40]
National Film Awards Best ActorDavid TennantPending [41]
Broadcast Digital Awards Best Drama ProgrammeRivalsWon [42]
Programme of the YearWon
National Television Awards New DramaPending [43]

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. Catriona Chandler:
  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. Hulu [@hulu] (21 May 2025). "Back on set and ready for more action. 🎬 Season 2 of #Rivals is now in production" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 27 May 2025 via Twitter.
  15. Kanter, Jake (21 August 2024). "Disney+ Sets Premiere Date For Jilly Cooper Adaptation 'Rivals'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  16. 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.
  17. Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah (1 November 2024). "David Tennant's New Drama With A Near-Perfect RT Score Becomes Streaming Hit". Screen Rant . Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  18. Meek, Andy (9 November 2024). "A certain Netflix political thriller is one of the biggest streaming TV shows at the moment". Boy Genius Report . Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  19. Meek, Andy (16 November 2024). "TV you can't skip: The 10 hottest shows right now on Paramount, Netflix, Max, Apple TV+, and more". Boy Genius Report . Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  20. "Rivals: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  21. "Rivals: Season 1". Metacritic . Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  22. Gilbert, Sophie (1 November 2024). "The Silliest, Sexiest Show of the Year". The Atlantic . Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  23. Cooke, Rachel (15 October 2024). "The unadulterated pleasures of Rivals". New Statesman . Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  24. Mangan, Lucy (18 October 2024). "Rivals review – even the naked tennis scene is a triumph". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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  31. "Kneecap and Say Nothing lead IFTA Awards nominations" . Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  32. "2025 Nominations" . Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  33. Kanter, Jake (25 February 2025). "'Rivals' Star Danny Dyer Nominated For Best Actor At Broadcasting Press Guild Awards". Deadline. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  34. "Nominations announced for the BPG Awards 2025". Broadcasting Press Guild. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  35. "The CDG Casting Awards 2025" . Retrieved 27 February 2025.
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  39. "TV Craft". Bafta. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  40. "Lola Young leads nominations for top songwriting awards". BBC. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  41. "National Film Awards UK 2025 - 11th annual Nominations Revealed" . Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  42. "Broadcast Digital Awards 2025". Broadcast. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  43. "Full nominees list for NTAs 2025 confirmed - plus how to vote and watch the cermeony". NationalWorld. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.