Rivals (2024): A Glitzy, Satirical Escape into 1980s Upper-Crust Drama
Overview & Premise
Rivals is a 2024 British–American period drama series—as lush as it is sharp—based on Jilly Cooper’s popular novel. This soap-opera-meets-satire unfolds in the glamorous world of 1980s high society in the fictional Cotswolds locale of Lattes County. The long-standing feud between media mogul Tony Baddingham and aristocrat Rupert Campbell-Black comes to a tipping point, setting the stage for ambition, romance, and scandal. Douban MovieIMDb
Premiering on October 18, 2024, the show maintains a brisk 55-minute runtime per episode, set to a soundtrack dripping with '80s nostalgia. IMDbDouban Movie
Cast & Characters
The ensemble cast brings the over-the-top characters to life with gusto:
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David Tennant as Tony Baddingham, the cutthroat TV executive.
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Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, the charming yet controversial aristocrat.
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Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, the rising star whose loyalty is in flux.
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Victoria Smurfit, Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, Lisa McGrillis, Katherine Parkinson, Bella Maclean, and many more round out the glittering roster. Douban MovieIMDb+1
Creative Team
The series is based on Jilly Cooper’s novel (part of her Rutshire Chronicles) and adapted by a team of writers including Sorcha Kurien-Walsh, Laura Wade, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, and others. Direction duties are handled by Elliot Hegarty, Dee Koppang O’Leary, and Alexandra Brodski. Douban MovieIMDb
Episode Highlights & Structure
Season 1 launched with a flourish on October 18, 2024, offering eight episodes packed with satire, ambition, and interpersonal intrigue. Highlights include:
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Episode 1: Declan joins Tony’s Corinium Studio and gets a wake-up call in the hothouse world. (IMDb rating: 7.4) IMDb
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Episode 4: Declan gears up for a tense live TV showdown against Rupert. (IMDb rating: 8.2) IMDb
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Episode 5: A beauty pageant and a PM interview mark a whirlwind week. (IMDb rating: 8.3) IMDb
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Episode 8: In a gladiatorial-style public forum, Corinium and Venturer vie for regional dominance. (IMDb rating: 8.6) IMDb+1
Reception & Accolades
Rivals strikes a chord with both critics and viewers:
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It holds an IMDb rating around 7.9–8.0, with roughly 13–15k user votes. IMDb+1
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The show has also secured BAFTA recognition, with 5 wins and 11 total nominations. IMDb
Viewer reviews are effusive:
“Really enjoyable... David Tennant is great as per usual... I was actually more surprised how good Danny Dyer was... Highly recommend. Please Disney plus renew this show.” IMDb
“In terms of TV shows, this year has been fairly average. Rivals stands out as an absolute highlight... entertaining, clever, raunchy, and funny... The writing, scenes, lines, and direction all serve the greater whole.” IMDb
“A very easy and bingeable watch, thoroughly enjoyable... The series starts off comical and gets more dramatic as the episodes go on.” IMDb
On Douban, it scores a 7.1/10, with praise for its glamorous authenticity and ensemble performance. Douban Movie
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title & Release | Rivals (2024–), premiered Oct 18, 2024 |
| Genre | Period Drama, Satire, Soap-style, Upper-Crust Dysfunction |
| Source Material | Novel by Jilly Cooper (Rutshire Chronicles) |
| Key Cast | David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Victoria Smurfit, Danny Dyer |
| Writers/Directors | Sorcha Kurien-Walsh et al.; directed by Hegarty, O’Leary, Brodski |
| Episodes | 8 episodes in Season 1 (each ~55 min) |
| Reception | IMDb ~8.0, BAFTA awards, lauded for satire, style, and ensemble cast |
| Appeal Points | 1980s aesthetic, sharp societal satire, glamorous fluff with emotional undercurrents |
Final Thoughts
Rivals is a decadent, sharply witty period drama that lampoons class, ambition, and excess with tongue firmly in cheek. With a powerhouse cast, stylish production, and script that balances satire and emotional stakes, it’s the kind of show that’s as bingeable as it is binge-worthy.
