Back in 2024, season one of Rivals was a smash-hit, won awards, and became one of the ultimate guilty pleasures.
Absolutely, positively not made for us in any way, it was nonetheless incredibly fun and hugely entertaining.
Skewering both the 1980s and British classism perfectly, the adaption of a best-selling British novel written by Jilly Cooper, part of her Rutshire Chronicles, was set among the extremely badly behaved British upper-class establishment who spend their time riding horses, living in indecently large houses, scheming, and bed-hopping.
Set in 1986, it followed ex-Olympian, MP, and notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell – The Boys, Cowboy Bebop) in a business and reputational struggle with his neighbor, the notorious shit, ruthless businessman, and controller of the local independent television station Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant – Doctor Who, Good Omens).
Rivals also unexpectedly proved Danny Dyer the MVP.
Season one finished on a cliffhanger, after adapting the first half of the book. Now, season 2 has landed and the reviews for this season are even stronger than the first.
To the summary quotes!
Rivals looks and feels fabulously retro. The soundtrack touts the earworms of Sade, David Bowie and Shocking Blue. The wardrobe, buffeted hair and certain set designs look purposefully tacky.
Rebecca Cook, Metro
We are in the realms of melodrama here, something like a Mexican telenovela meets a po-faced BBC period drama with Yazoo in charge of costume design.
Ed Power, Daily Telegraph
This is trashy TV for grownups, but it is much smarter than it meets the eye. It doesn’t just peel back the truth of these characters, but it also examines the 1980s in all its deplorable hedonism.
Amelia Harvey, Movies We Texted About
It’s far more than just a guilty pleasure; Rivals Season 2 surpasses Season 1 on nearly every front, proving that more time and space to breathe is exactly what a show needs to mature into a resounding win.
Therese Larson, Collider
The series also garnered five star reviews from both The Times and The Guardian this morning, and is currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rivals season 2 arrives on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday. Prepare to shag! Here is a trailer:
