Rivals

David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Alex Hassell star in seductive drama Rivals. Based on the novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper, the series takes place against the backdrop of 1980s television where successful host and journalist Denis O’Hara (Turner) is hired by hot-shot producer Tony Baddingham (Tennant) to present a new show for an independent production company. After moving his family from London to a lavish house in the country, he butts heads with his new producer (Nafessa Williams) and becomes embroiled in the conflicts of the social elite around him; specifically, the long-running conflict between Tony and boorish ex-Olympian Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell). Two episodes into this eight-part series, though, Rivals is more about indulging in scandalous affairs than establishing an intriguing plot.

Also featuring the likes of Katherine Parkinson, Rufus Jones and Emily Attack, the drama boasts a superb cast, each of whom are magnificent. Turner is especially a delight to watch as the no-nonsense host with an enigmatic personality. Meanwhile, Hassell does an impeccable job at playing the womanising toff who viewers will love to hate, with Tennant’s charm being another entertaining addition to the show. Alongside the central performances, this show gets its core personality from its 80s setting. From its back-to-back playlist of chart-toppers from the decade to the number of perms visible onscreen at any given time, the latest offering on Disney+ embraces its aesthetic of Bridgerton in the 80s and runs with it.

However, while this show is full of flare, it lacks in an interesting plot. After introducing viewers to the key players and Denis’s new surroundings, the show focuses exclusively on the adulterous happenings amongst the side characters. Everyone seems to be sleeping with someone else (or at least wants to), and that hasn’t made for very interesting television so far. It’s only at the end of the second episode that the titular conflict begins to take shape when Denis and his producers conduct a plan to expose Rupert live on air following unseemly behaviour at a dinner party.

Boasting a star-studded cast and oozing with the hedonism of the social elite, Rivals doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to depicting its setting. It’s disappointing, then, that the lacklustre plot lacks the bite of the rest of what this show has to offer.

Andrew Murray

Rivals is released on Disney+ on 18^th October 2024.

Watch the trailer for Rivals here: