Rivals poster

TV series

Rivals

2024TV-MA2 seasons7.5 / 10

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?

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Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Rivals is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

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?

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Episode 1

Oct 18, 202454m8.1 / 10

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?

Episode credits

Directed by Elliot HegartyWritten by Dominic Treadwell-CollinsGuest stars Louis Landau, Nisha Aaliya, Denise Black, Timothy Blore, Jamie Chapman, Nick Pritchard, Annabel Scholey, Emma Shipp

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Episode 2

Episode 2

Oct 18, 202448m7.3 / 10

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?

Episode credits

Directed by Elliot HegartyWritten by Laura WadeGuest stars Denise Black, Timothy Blore, Maggie Steed, Dan Tetsell, Nicholas Page Hayman, Ryan Baker, David Calder, Rich Keeble

Where to watch Rivals

Episode 3

Episode 3

Oct 18, 202453m8.8 / 10

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?

Episode credits

Directed by Elliot HegartyWritten by Sophie GoodhartGuest stars Gabriel Tierney, Louis Landau, Emma Shipp, Ryan Baker, Georgia Mack, Jamie Bisping, Kate Cresswell, Charlie de Melo

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Episode 4

Episode 4

Oct 18, 202457m8.4 / 10

Keen to punish Rupert, Declan prepares to interview and obliterate him live on television. Meanwhile, Tony invites Freddie to his prestigious pheasant shoot, eager to recruit him to the Corinium board. With a little nudge from Rupert, Taggie starts to assert herself, but she worries that Declan has lost his way. The nation waits with bated breath for Rupert and Declan's showdown. Will Tony finally get his wish to bring down Rupert Campbell-Black?

Episode credits

Directed by Elliot HegartyWritten by Marek HornGuest stars Gabriel Tierney, Louis Landau, Denise Black, Emma Shipp, Dan Tetsell, Rich Keeble, Jamie Bisping, Anastasia Griffith

Where to watch Rivals

Episode 5

Episode 5

Oct 18, 202455m8.8 / 10

It is a busy week at Corinium Studios. Preparations are underway for the first beauty pageant and a historic interview with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Declan's ego is growing with each successful show, but he strives for journalistic glory and to prove his integrity. As Tony breathes down his neck, will he play ball? If not, is Corinium big enough for both of them?

Episode credits

Directed by Dee Koppang O'LearyWritten by Mimi Hare, Clare NaylorGuest stars Timothy Blore, Emma Shipp, Dan Tetsell, David Calder, Rich Keeble, Jamie Bisping, Charlie de Melo, Benjamin Black

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Episode 6

Episode 6

Oct 18, 202451m8.5 / 10

Cameron attends an awards ceremony in Spain alone, and is surprised to bump into Rupert staying at the same hotel. Out of Rutshire and away from prying eyes, could this be the start of something new, and what could it mean for Tony or Taggie? Meanwhile, Rupert takes a gamble to help new company Venturer take on rival Tony's Corinium. Will it pay off or will Declan and Freddie think Rupert has finally gone too far?

Episode credits

Directed by Alexandra BrodskiWritten by Dare AiyegbayoGuest stars Nino Furuhata, Louis Landau, Denise Black, Dan Tetsell, Ryan Baker, Georgia Mack, Jamie Bisping, Brendan Patricks

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Episode 7

Episode 7

Oct 18, 202456m8.7 / 10

When Tony learns that Rupert, Declan, and Freddie have formed Venturer to challenge his bid for the television franchise, he is furious. Things look up when Corinium is nominated for another prestigious award, and his relationship with Cameron deepens. Meanwhile, Taggie offers to help campaign for Venturer, which means a chance to get closer to Rupert. But with Rupert linked to Cameron, can Taggie ever really get close?

Episode credits

Directed by Dee Koppang O'LearyWritten by Kefi ChadwickGuest stars Gabriel Tierney, Nino Furuhata, Louis Landau, Denise Black, Emma Shipp, Dan Tetsell, Nicholas Page Hayman, Ryan Baker

Where to watch Rivals

Episode 8

Episode 8

Oct 18, 20241h 2m8.5 / 10finale

Paranoid, Tony demands loyalty, but can he trust those closest to him? Corinium and Venturer prepare for a gladiatorial public meeting to decide if Rupert, Declan, and Freddie can contend for the franchise against Tony. Both teams pull out all the stops to impress local residents and the IBA, but as fissures appear, could Tony and his dirty tricks derail Venturer before they have really started? With secrets exposed, which relationships will survive, and which rival will ultimately win out?

Episode credits

Directed by Alexandra BrodskiWritten by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura WadeGuest stars Nino Furuhata, Louis Landau, Denise Black, Timothy Blore, Nick Pritchard, Emma Shipp, Maggie Steed, Dan Tetsell

Where to watch Rivals

Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about Rivals

Watch trailerOfficial Trailer

Cast

David TennantTony Baddingham

Aidan TurnerDeclan O'Hara

Danny DyerFreddie Jones

Alex HassellRupert Campbell-Black

Nafessa WilliamsCameron Cook

Bella MacleanTaggie O'Hara

Katherine ParkinsonLizzie Vereker

Victoria SmurfitMaud O'Hara

Credits

Written by: Laura Wade, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sophie Goodhart, Kefi Chadwick, Dare Aiyegbayo, Laura Wade, Marek Horn, Jilly Cooper

Production details

Status: Returning Series
Series type: Scripted
Episodes: 14
Original language: English

Networks & production

Disney+
Happy PrinceUnited Kingdom
The Walt Disney Company EMEAUnited Kingdom

Themes

1980sbased on novel or bookcheerfuldramaticlightheartedmember of parliamentpolorivalry

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