Series review: rivals (2024)

I had simply no idea what I was getting in for when I started watching Rivals on a stormy Sunday afternoon. Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of Dame Jilly Cooper compared to all other reviewers who are self-confessed super fans. And you know what, I get it. This series, based on Cooper’s book of the same name, is absolutely exceptional TV.

Tackling the cutthroat world of entertainment and attitudes in the 80’s it shows how ruthless and cunning you have to be to get ahead. Most reviews have referred to how “bonk-tastic” the show is and that’s the most Brit thing I’ve ever read but very true. Despite the “No Irish” and potato jokes geared at Aidan Turner’s Declan O’Hara, the show is pure binge-worthy joy.

It would be amiss not to mention the stellar cast of Rivals including David Tennent, Danny Dyer, Alex Hassell, Emily Atack and Katherine Parkinson to name a few. The twisted storylines, lurid affairs and villains vs heroes tropes are all completely engaging. You don’t know who to trust and that’s what’s completely thrilling.

The show’s climax is something I did not expect at all but leaves the story open to a series 2 which I hope comes sooner rather than later. From listening to my favourite podcast “The Rest is Entertainment”, hosts Marina and Richard discuss how Cooper’s novels provided sharp social commentary on the “way things were done” in the 80’s, which is pretty bleak. The final scene serves a real healthy dose of karma for a titular character but no spoilers which one.

Rivals gets a strong 9/10 from me, I can’t wait to see more and I may have to explore Dame Jilly Cooper’s world of fiction to bridge the gap until series 2.