Rivals review: Disney's take on Jilly Cooper is faithful, fun and unapologetically horny

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Disney Plus subscribers are in for a real treat tomorrow, as they will finally have the opportunity to stream Dame Jilly Cooper's unabashedly risque new series, Rivals.

Rivals sets the stage for its viewers right from the get-go, introducing its characters with an opening scene that begins with the uncorking of champagne bottles on a concord as they join the mile-high club.

If that doesn't immediately capture your attention, perhaps the show's incredibly famous cast will.

Backed by the might of Disney, Rivals has assembled one of the most star-studded casts ever seen on television, featuring Doctor Who's David Tennant, EastEnders icon Danny Dyer and Poldark actor Aidan Turner in leading roles.

The ensemble also includes Alex Hassell, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atack, Luke Pasqualino, Catriona Chandler, Gabriel Tierney, Gary Lamont and Lara Peake.

Aidan Turner stars as Declan O'Hara in Rivals (Image: DISNEY PLUS)

A synopsis for the sizzling series reads: "Set in England 1986, Rivals is an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's second book in the Rutshire Chronicles that follows Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell), a notorious rake and famous showjumper before he quit for a career in politics, as he joins forces with his new neighbour Declan O'Hara (Turner) to overthrow local unscrupulous television magnate Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant) by bidding for his Cotswolds based independent television franchise.

"But Rupert and Declan's plans are disrupted by a blossoming romance between the famously womanising Rupert and Declan's innocent daughter Taggie O'Hara (Maclean), a love triangle between Rupert, Tony and his right-hand woman, the brilliant American producer Cameron Cook (Williams) and Declan's stormy relationship with his wife, the dazzling actress Maud (Victoria Smurfit).

"In the backstabbing world of television where it is every man and woman for themselves, can true love really blossom?"

Brimming with melodrama, a dash of 80s nostalgia, and vibrant multi-coloured sets - not to mention an abundance of steamy scenes - Rivals has firmly established itself as one of the must-watch series of 2024.

Cooper's knack for crafting tales of escapism and passion is evident throughout, and without revealing too much, the finale delivers a truly surprising twist.

The cast, led by Turner, Tennant, and Williams, offer standout performances that add layers of complexity to roles that could have easily been mere cliches.

Turner excels as the fiery journalist Declan, stealing the spotlight in every frame, while Williams makes a significant impact as the emerging talent among a roster of British acting legends.

Tennant impresses with a compelling portrayal of the charming yet scheming TV mogul Lord Tony Baddingham, showcasing his versatility in playing formidable antagonists.

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Nafessa Williams plays Cameron Cook in Rivals (Image: DISNEY PLUS)

It feels redundant to ask about the likelihood of Rivals getting a second season. With its stellar cast, Disney's investment, the charm of national treasure Dame Jilly Cooper, and that jaw-dropping finale, the thought of cancellation seems ludicrous.

Yet, there's a facet of the series that hasn't quite hit the mark - a sentiment echoed by other critics as well. The central romance struggles to capture the audience's investment.

Let's be clear: the legendary romance of Rupert Campbell-Black and Taggie O'Hara from Cooper's novels is untouchable.

But the series' fervent attempts to make viewers champion their union is where it feels dated.

The show doesn't shy away from acknowledging that the 80s were a different era, often highlighting its own historical context.

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David Tennant plays Lord Tony Baddingham in Rivals (Image: DISNEY PLUS) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241015.min.js"

Still, viewing the narrative through today's lens, it becomes challenging to overlook actions that might have once been brushed off as "caddish" but are now seen in a less forgiving light.

Despite attempts to paint Rupert as a complex and somewhat sympathetic figure, his questionable conduct remains too egregious for audiences to genuinely root for his romantic entanglement with a woman who could be his daughter.

It's a given that every relationship in the show is problematic - that's part of its appeal - but this particular plotline also lacks intrigue as the outcome seems fairly predictable.

However, other relationship dynamics on the show were utterly compelling, including those involving Tony and Cameron and their various partners, as well as the delightful uncertainty between Danny Dyer's Freddie and Katherine Parkinson's Lizzie (poor Valerie).

Looking ahead to season 2, it would be refreshing to delve deeper into these dynamics rather than focusing on a middle-aged ex-showjumper, who looks perpetually forlorn because he's forbidden from sleeping with his pal's 20-year-old daughter.

That being said, the next season of Rivals cannot arrive soon enough; it truly stands out as one of the most unique, captivating and brilliantly entertaining shows of 2025. Bridgerton, watch your back, there's a new 'sexiest show in town' - and it appears to be here for the long haul.

Catch up with the first season of Rivals now, exclusively on Disney Plus.

Rivals review: Disney's take on Jilly Cooper is faithful, fun and unapologetically horny

Rivals review: Disney's take on Jilly Cooper is faithful, fun and unapologetically horny

Rivals review: Disney's take on Jilly Cooper is faithful, fun and unapologetically horny

Rivals review: Disney's take on Jilly Cooper is faithful, fun and unapologetically horny

Rivals review: Disney's take on Jilly Cooper is faithful, fun and unapologetically horny