Synopsis: As Tony Baddingham and Declan O'Hara's contest for the Cotswolds crown hits a fever pitch, Rupert Campbell-Black is forced to confront his own personal demons. Across hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. Caught in the middle of the frenzied franchise battle, Taggie O'Hara must find the courage to follow her heart while everyone else faces the consequences of ambition, power and secrets that they can no longer hide. (Courtesy Hulu 2026)
The Cast:
David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham
Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black
Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara
Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara
Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones
Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara
Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham
Oliver Chris as James Vereker
Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones
Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton
Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton
Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham
Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara
Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson
Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn
Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton
Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara
Lara Peake as Daysee Butler
Bryony Hannah as Dierdre Kilpatrick
Hayley Atwell as Helen Gordon
Rupert Everett as Malise Gordon
Production Credits:
Rivals made by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade , “Rivals” author Dame Jilly Cooper. Eliza Mellor returns as Series Producer. It is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh and Dare Aiyegbayo, directed by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson and Dee Koppang O’Leary. Rivals is based on the novel of the same name, part of Cooper’s bestselling Rutshire Chronicles. The series was commissioned by VP Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA, Lee Mason.
The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Hulu)
Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. The original eight-part blockbuster is based on the iconic novel by Dame Jilly Cooper - part of her Rutshire Chronicles series, which is packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit.
Show Guide: 'Rivals'
- Details
- By Rick Ellis