At a time where young viewers are increasingly switching to streaming services over traditional broadcast television, Disney+’s electrifying television drama Rivals seems increasingly relevant. Here, Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), leader of television company Corinium tries to maintain his tight iron fist over his new and promising television talent: journalist Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), producer Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) and businessman Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer). However, in the style of all great Shakesperean tragedies, Lord Tony must face the consequences of his battle for power with rising tensions in an upper-class world motivated by desire, sex and greed and a mysterious rivalry with ex-showjumper, now Minister for Sport, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell).
‘Rivals’ is an addictively compelling watch, not in the least because of its stunning A-list cast (David Tennant, Emily Atack, Aidan Tuner, ... need I say more?) but also because of its tight writing that sows the seeds of scandal and deceit in every episode, making each chapter leave you hungry for more. It also does an excellent job of balancing out multiple complex storylines, allowing none of its star cast to feel short-changed and providing a deliciously interconnected web of complex character dynamics that the cast thrive to play off of. Occasionally this complexity can also become a weakness, leading to some character inconsistencies as loyalties divert sporadically from one episode to the next. As the series progresses, the stakes feel consistently high, which can occasionally feel disproportionate as we wonder how much can be lost or gained from the fate of a regional television network in the rural Cotswolds.
However much can be said for the performances and amongst them is David Tennant delivering a career highlight in a role that feels refreshingly different from his previous work but delivered with the same vigour. Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer are also surprising stand-outs whose storyline is handled with a beautiful maturity that sets it apart from the rest of the series. It is really refreshing to see Dyer outside of Albert Square and I hope this role will be the beginning of further ventures that show his range and acting chops. Aidan Turner is also a scene-stealer as one of the series most modern characters and Alex Hassell provides charm and charisma to a character that on paper does not naturally lend itself to either. Though, the women in this series tend to have smaller roles to play, they are no less lacking in richness as they contemplate the difficulties of following the will of the men in their lives with their own wants and careers. The younger cast are also excellent and do not feel diminished by such a star team, with Bella Maclean particularly standing out amongst the crowd.
Visually this series is brimming with 80’s nostalgia, from the frequent references to Margaret Thatcher and Section 28, to the dazzling colour palette present in the wardrobe, set and props that makes the era spring to life. 80’s pop hits often mark the transition between scenes, helping to immerse you back into an era of startlingly different politics pre same sex marriage and #MeToo. It feels a shame then, that the show never seems to quite get the balance right between an authentic depiction of 80’s morals and the hindsight of our understanding today. At times some of the show’s messaging can feel somewhat stuck in the past, with modern conceptions of issues such as homophobia, sexism and racism not treated with the complexity they deserve but reduced to one-liners granted to various characters to make sure the audience perceives them as villainous or sympathetic at any one time. While it is clear that some of Jilly Cooper’s material has been updated for the times, the lack of challenge to other plotlines feels jarring as we expect comeuppances that never appear and issues that become sidelined as the main plot furthers. In this world so defined by privilege, class differences also feel sparingly touched on.
In summary, Rivals promises an engaging and bingeable watch and is sure to become a great hit, that feels as authentically British as any BBC Drama but with an unfiltered hedonism and sexuality reminiscent of Netflix’s great Sex Education. The result is a raw and seamlessly told British drama with an excellent set up for a second season, which if it irons out the occasional missteps of the first is sure to become a household hit.
Rivals is available to stream on Disney+.
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