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Rivals promise to take viewers into the brazen world of 1980s independent television. Hulu dropped the first trailer for the upcoming series, and it looks exciting.
Rivals is based on a novel of the same name by the acclaimed English author, Jilly Cooper. It is part of the Rutshire Chronicles series of novels by the author, which follows the lives of residents of an affluent county called Rutshire.
The newly released trailer for Rivals provided a quick peek into the lavish lives of the residents of Rutshire, hinting at helicopter rides, horses, scandals, steamy affairs, and extravagant parties. Alex Hassell's (The Boys, Everything Now) character, Rupert Campbell-Black, appeared swanky in the trailer. The ex-Olympian is also a notorious womanizer, as per the novels.
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Also seen in the trailer is the controller of a major television conglomerate, Tony Baddingham, portrayed by David Tennant (Dr. Who, Ark: The Animated Series). Tony and Rupert are engaged in a battle of wills, which follows a boisterous series of events as portrayed in Jilly Cooper's novels.
What is Rivals about?
The upcoming Hulu series offers a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the affluent class in Britain during the 1980s. The story focuses on the rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black and Tony Baddignham, which is the central plot of the series, which sees the fictional county of Rutshire embroiled in controversy and scandals.
The official synopsis of the series reads:
"The story is set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England. In the fictional county of Rutshire, a long-standing rivalry between two powerful men is about to boil over. Alex Hassell plays dashing ex-Olympian, Tory Member of Parliament and incorrigible rake, the dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black. "
It further continues:
"David Tennant plays Rupert's single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical Rutshire neighbour Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television. A long-simmering power struggle between them threatens to boil over when the two men lock horns over the future of Corinium."
The trailer of Rivals also teased other characters in the upcoming series apart from Hassel and Tennant. Aidan Turner stars as Declan O'Hara, sporting a Tom Selleck-like mustache.
Joining him are Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara, Oliver Chris as James Vereker, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham, Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones, Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara, and Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, among others.
Rivals will be released as an eight-part series on Hulu (in the USA) and Disney+ (internationally). The series has been produced by Happy Prince, which is an indie production unit owned by Dominic Treadwell-Collins. He is executive producing the series along with Alexander Lamb. The lead director of the series, Elliot Hegarty, is known for his work on Ted Lasso.
Hulu has not released a specific release date for Rivals, although it is scheduled to premiere in 2024.
