Disney+ thas revealed a set of first-look images of the eight-part series, ‘Rivals’, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios.
Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, the show delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. Part of Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series it is packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit.
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Six of the iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in this first wave of images. Alex Hassell features as the dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black.
David Tennant (‘Doctor Who’, ‘Good Omens’) features as Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television and Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical adversary.
Aidan Turner (‘Poldark’, ‘The Suspect’) is journalist and TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who becomes caught in the crossfire of the long-simmering feud between Rupert and Tony.
Nafessa Williams (‘Black Lighting’, ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’) is pictured as Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to England by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show.
Katherine Parkinson (‘Humans’, ‘Here We Go’) is Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life.
Bella Maclean (‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Sex Education’) is Taggie O’Hara, Declan’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter and unexpected temptation for Rupert.
The series also stars Emily Atack, Catriona Chandler, Oliver Chris, Danny Dyer, Rufus Jones, Lisa McGrillis, Luke Pasqualino, Claire Rushbrook, and Victoria Smurfit.
Written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade, the lead director is BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty (‘Ted Lasso, Cheaters’, ‘Trying’), who also serves as executive producer on episodes 1-4. Eliza Mellor (‘The Midwich Cuckoos’, ‘Behind Her Eyes’, ‘Poldark’) serves as Series Producer. Dee Koppang O’Leary (“The Crown”) and Alexandra Brodski (“Somewhere Boy”) also direct episodes.
The series is set to debut on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ in other countries later this year.
