Helen S Dyer

The television series "Rivals," released on October 18, 2024, by Disney+, is an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel of the same name. Set in 1986, the narrative centers on the intense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black, a nobleman and Member of Parliament, and Tony, Lord Baddingham, a television executive. Their conflict plays out within the competitive world of Corinium Television, an independent commercial station located in the fictional county of Rutshire. The series explores themes of ambition, power struggles, and complex personal relationships within the British elite and media landscape.

The adaptation features an ensemble cast portraying characters entangled in affairs, social climbing, and professional maneuvering. Key figures include Declan O'Hara, a newsman recruited by Corinium, and Cameron Cook, an American producer. The series delves into the personal lives and professional ambitions of these characters, set against the backdrop of the 1980s British television industry and the affluent Cotswolds region. "Rivals" was renewed for a second series, with filming commencing in March 2023 and a premiere scheduled for May 15, 2026.

The series "Rivals" unfolds in 1986, highlighting the bitter feud between Rupert Campbell-Black, a former Olympian and Member of Parliament, and Tony, Lord Baddingham, the managing director of Corinium Television. This rivalry extends into the operations of Baddingham's independent television station in Rutshire. To bolster Corinium's programming, Lord Baddingham recruits American producer Cameron Cook and entices Irish newsman Declan O'Hara away from the BBC. The narrative follows the intertwined lives and professional ambitions of these characters, exploring themes of power, sex, and social ambition within the British media and aristocratic circles of the era. The series also touches upon the personal struggles of characters like Declan's wife, Maud, a former actress, and Lizzie Vereker, a romance novelist dealing with marital neglect.

Set in the fictional county of Rutshire, the series "Rivals" immerses viewers in the opulent and competitive world of 1980s British television and high society. The narrative explores themes of class conflict, as represented by the clash between Campbell-Black's landed gentry background and Baddingham's nouveau riche status. Romantic intrigue and personal ambition are central, with characters engaged in affairs, strategic alliances, and social climbing. The adaptation is noted for its adherence to Jilly Cooper's original style, characterized by its "unapologetic scandal" and focus on "sex, excess, and sharp social observations." The series aims to capture the "indulgent world of romantic intrigue and class satire" with a blend of humor, absurdity, and a lighthearted approach to the era's attitudes.

The television adaptation of "Rivals" was produced by Happy Prince for Disney+ and began filming in March 2023, utilizing facilities in Bristol and locations in Gloucestershire. The project involved an extensive writing team and was executive produced by Jilly Cooper and her literary agent, Felicity Blunt, among others. The first series premiered on October 18, 2024, and received critical acclaim, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 95% approval rating and Metacritic assigning a score of 84 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim." Reviewers praised the series for its faithful adaptation of Cooper's style, its humor, and its ensemble cast, particularly noting performances by Alex Hassell and David Tennant. The show was renewed for a second series, with filming for the subsequent season commencing on May 21, 2025.

“A caustic comedy with swagger, Rivals makes class warfare and catty behavior addictive viewing.”

“sheer, unadulterated perkiness”

“bold energy and adherence to Jilly Cooper's original, unapologetically scandalous style.”

“sex, excess, and Cooper's sharp social observations”

“light touch”