Hulu is taking us back to the high-drama, high-glam era of the ’80s with the teaser for its latest series, ‘Rivals’. Based on the novel by Dame Jilly Cooper, ‘Rivals’ dives into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986, where it’s every man and woman for themselves. The eight-part series promises romantic entanglements, underhanded deals, sex, and wit against the vibrant backdrop of 1980s England.
The star-studded cast includes Nafessa Williams, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, David Tennant, Aidan Turner. Supporting them are Emily Atack, Catriona Chandler, Rufus Jones, Danny Dyer, Lisa McGrillis, Luke Pasqualino, Clare Rushbrook, and Victoria Smurfit.
Produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios, ‘Rivals’ has Dominic Treadwell-Collins as executive producer alongside Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, playwright Laura Wade, and Disney+ EMEA’s Lee Mason. The writing team includes Sophie Goodhart, Marek Horn, Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor, Dare Aiyegbayo, and Kefi Chadwick, with Tray Agyeman and Sorcha Kurien Walsh contributing.
BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty leads the direction and executive produces the first four episodes, with Dee Koppang O’Leary and Alexandra Brodski also directing. Eliza Mellor serves as the series producer.
Fresh off his second stint as the lead on ‘Doctor Who’, David Tennant returns to the small screen as Lord Tony Baddingham, a gentleman farmer and controller of Corinium Television. His rival, Rupert Campbell-Black, an Olympian turned politician, is played by Alex Hassell. The series promises all the trappings of 1980s glamour and excess, from horseback riding to lavish parties, all set to Robert Palmer’s 1986 hit “Addicted to Love.”
Nafessa Williams stars as Cameron Cook, an ambitious TV executive navigating the cutthroat world of 1980s television. Joining her are Aidan Turner as TV star Declan O’Hara and Victoria Smurfit as his wife, Maud.
‘Rivals’ will premiere on Hulu in the US and Disney+ internationally later this year. Watch the teaser now and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new series.