Series synopsis
Rivals is a British drama family television series that premiered on Disney+ on October 18, 2024. It stars David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer and Alex Hassell.
It is 1986 and Britain is booming. "Rivals" dives headfirst into the cutthroat world of TV 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?
Premise
It is 1986 and Britain is booming. "Rivals" dives headfirst into the cutthroat world of TV 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?
Premise: Pioneers, brothers and rivals
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- David Tennant as Tony Baddingham
- Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara
- Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones
- Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black
- Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
- Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara
- Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
- Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara
Supporting cast
- 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
- Luke Pasqualino as Basil 'Bas' Baddingham
- Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara
- Bryony Hannah as Deirdre Kilpatrick
- Milo Callaghan as Seb Burrows
- Lara Peake as Daysee Butler
- Wendy Albiston as Mrs. Makepiece
- Gary Shelford as Mr. Makepiece
Guest cast
- Nino Furuhata as Toshi Yamazaki
- Louis Landau as Archie Baddingham
- Nisha Aaliya as Farah - Stewardess
- Denise Black as Joyce Madden
- Jamie Chapman as Alistair - BBC Producer
- Nick Pritchard as Singer
- Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson
- Emma Shipp as Shelley Makepiece
- Maggie Steed as Lady Gwendolyn Gosling
- Dan Tetsell as Steve Meadows
- Nicholas Page Hayman as Ivor Hicks
- Ryan Baker as Wayne Jones
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 14 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | October 17, 2024 | October 18, 2024 |
| Season 2 | 6 | May 15, 2026 | June 5, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 To ensure the success of his TV company, Corinium, Tony Baddingham hires brilliant interviewer Declan O'Hara and ambitious American producer Cameron Cook. As the O'Haras move to the countryside, Declan has a rude awakening on his first day on the job, while Declan's daughter, Taggie, and wife, Maud,must adjust to their new life and neighbors. As the O'Haras find themselves caught in the cross-fire between rivals Tony and Rupert Campbell-Black, will Declan regret his new career move? |
October 18, 2024 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Declan feels the pressure to deliver a new hit show for Tony and his company, Corinium, with producer Cameron on hand to help despite their fractious relationship. Keen to recruit businessman Freddie Jones, Tony agrees to attend a dinner party, but the guest list holds nasty surprises. Taggie gets her first catering job, but the evening is fraught with incidents. When the dinner party descends into chaos, can Tony salvage the situation and kill two birds with one stone? |
October 18, 2024 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 It is Christmas time and everyone is celebrating except Declan, who worries about Maud's extravagant party plans for their son's twenty-first birthday on New Year's Eve. Taggie is eager to reunite with an old flame and works to make the night perfect, but the evening is full of surprises as worlds collide. A serious event shocks Taggie and she is taken aback when Rupert offers help. Will Taggie accept Rupert's apology? Where will the chips fall for all concerned when the hangovers fade? |
October 18, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Following the events of the previous season, Rupert shelters Cameron whilst Tony, having survived his injury, seeks justice. A polo match takes place with both Corinium and Venturer filming for broadcast. Despite pressure from Tony, Cameron sides with Rupert. Tony promises revenge. |
May 15, 2026 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Rupert launches his General Election campaign and struggles to balance public ambition and tensions at home. Sarah's career hangs in the balance when Tony pressures her while Venturer is pressured by Corinium. |
May 15, 2026 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 A scandalous Corinium exposé sends shockwaves through Rutshire and Westminster and Rupert faces mounting pressure on election day over the future of his political career. Declan and Venturer reel from the fallout. As Venturer’s future is threatened, Tony exploits their growing divisions and Rupert is forced to confront the true cost of the scandal. |
May 15, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 18, 2024 |
| Last aired | June 5, 2026 |
| Runtime | 173 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Friday |