Rivals season 1: Release date, cast, plot, and everything you need to know

Disney+ has premiered a brand new series, Rivals season 1, based on Dame Jilly Cooper's bestselling novel Rivals. The eight-episode series was released on October 18, 2024, and is the first big-budget television adaptation of the 1988 novel.

In Rivals, the brutal world of independent television in the 1980s is explored through the eyes of three lead characters. Showjumper turned politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) teams up with TV host Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) to challenge local TV magnate Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant).

Set in the fictional English county of Rutshire, Rivals season 1 highlights the struggle for dominance between the two men. Their families have long had a falling out, but things get dire when they start fighting over a TV station.

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Rivals season 1: Full list of cast

The cast of Rivals season 1 is extensive, and we see many familiar faces in fresh roles. The lead cast is -

1. Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black (known for The Boys, stage roles for The Royal Company)
2. David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham (known for Doctor Who, Broadchurch, Jessica Jones)
3. Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara (known for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)

The other cast members are-

• Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara
• Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara
• Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara
• Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
• Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
• Oliver Chris as James Vereker
• Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones
• Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones
• Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham
• Luke Pasqualino as Basil "Bas" Baddingham
• Louis Landau as Archie Baddingham
• Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton
• Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton
• Lara Peake as Daysee Butler
• Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson
• Maggie Steed as Lady Gosling
• David Calder as Fergus Penney
• Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton
• Guy Siner as Bishop Brenton
• Brendan Patricks as Henry Hampshire
• Rich Keeble as Brian Hetherington

Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black (Image via Hulu)

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Rivals season 1 plot

Rivals serve as a nostalgic throwback to the soapy dramas of the 1980s. David Tennant and Alex Hassell's on-screen rivalry has wit and tension, adding energy to the narrative. The early episodes spend time establishing the world and its many interwoven relationships.

Once the setup is complete, the series takes a dramatic turn, and character arcs take off. The show's '80s setting, fashion, soundtrack, and backdrops enhance the experience.

Still from Rivals season 1 episode 3 (Image via Hulu)

The official synopsis from Hulu reads,

"Set against the backdrop of power-grabbing social elites, "Rivals" dives headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986, where hair-dos are big and ambitions are even bigger. Deals are brokered in boardrooms, as well as bedrooms. Nobody can be sure who will come out on top. With every man and woman out only for themselves, can true love really blossom?"

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The production for Rivals season 1

Executive producers of the show are Cooper and her literary agency, Felicity Blunt. Dominic Treadwell-Collins is in charge of writing and production. Elliot Hegarty is the primary director and is listed as an executive producer for the first three episodes. Happy Prince is the project's producer.

Executive producers Lee Mason, Laura Wade, and Alexander Lamb are also involved. Other writers include Marek Horn, Sophie Goodhart, Dare Aiyegbayo, Kefi Chadwick, Tray Agyeman, Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh.

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Rivals season 1 is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.