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I was 19 in 1980, so I reached manhood in the "decade of greed", but American, not British. However, this struck me as very true to the 80s. The characters were larger than life, the excess was correct (can't tell you how many times I went to a party and got coked up and watched the sun come up) and the narcissism is spot on. The casual sex is also on par with the 80s. Enjoying thios series and hoping there is more. And yes, I did think this is very much like "Dallas" by the 3rd episode. Thing is: I liked Dallas.

Why do I need six hundred characters to post a review? It seems absurd. Am I right, or is this review not good enough to print? What do you think? Do we expect more? Getting penalized for brevity seems silly. Yet still I need more characters. WHY? WHY? WHY?

Back in the 90's there was an appalling version of Riders by Jilly Cooper, since then TV had avoided her 'bonkbusters' the critics feeling that Jilly Cooper novels were outdated and silly. That's far from the truth, Cooper satires the upper middle classes of the Cotswolds with an iron wit and has always understood comedy, character and fun plots. In many ways her work has been more akin to Restoration Comedy than Carry On with characters having more development and more inner life than you'd expect.

Now from Disney comes RIVALS boasting a stellar cast and the good news is that it's a great watch, yes it's full of naughty moments and boobs and bums, even the occasional Willy. The triumph of it though is that it has the budget and it has the time to do justice to the feel and spirit of the original book. The changes are minor and actually open out the period and the politics more.

Bella Maclean is brilliant in the central role of Tagie and Alex Hassel makes a great job of Rupert, a role that is impossible to cast because nobody in history can be the character that Cooper created - part villain, part Adonis, part whimpering child. He makes a really creditable job.

The real star of this though is the ensemble of great character actors Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson all putting in career best performances.

The 80's soundtrack is on point throughout and makes Rivals a real triumph for Disney. It's fun, it's frothy but there is a deeper undertow that raises it above a hallmark movie and offers the hope that we will see much more from this team and this universe in the future.

Really liked it.

I haven't read the books so I can't comment on how accurate it is. Or if they picked the correct actor to play RCB. However I can say I really enjoyed this show and I really hope the have a second series.

It's a little bit on the cheesy side. But it makes for great television. And great escapism. I managed to watch it all in 2 days. I wish there was more episodes. However it's nice they don't drag it out too much.

David Tennant is great as per usual. But I was actually more surprised how good Danny Dyer was. I've seen him in a few things. (Who hasn't) And I was a bit sceptical to see him in this. But he was brilliant. There are so many characters that I just love and some I loved to hate. Too many to mention. Highly recommend.

Please Disney plus renew this show.

A very easy and bingeable watch, thoroughly enjoyable. Great characters, storylines, drama and 80s music to sing along to. David Tennant again plays a fantastic antagonist. Aidan Turner is amazing as always. The cast clearly had a blast filming this and it comes through in the series. So many talented actors and actresses in one programme. The series starts off comical and gets more dramatic as the episodes go on. The series has remained faithful to the book and the nature of the 80s. The characters are enjoyable and easy to become invested in. I ended each episode wanting to watch more right the way until the end. Hoping for season 2!

Perfect autumn viewing. 80's Jilly Cooper novels were passed around until pages fell out, so I was curious about the idea of bringing one to life on TV in 2024. It's perfectly done. The show is able to make well placed acknowledgements to life 40 years ago; and while it is amusing, it is never comic. It is also blunt about the era's inequities. The story is great, a proper romp but not sordid, with twists & turns you'd expect from a JC book and a Disney + show. The styling is spot on. The casting + characters are brilliant. Bit of a Danny Dyer crush now actually! A must watch. Season 2 please!

In terms of TV shows, this year has been fairly average. Rivals stands out as an absolute highlight. It's a multi-layered work that definitely deserves a sequel.

Conceptually, it's a soap opera, narratively a satire, and stylistically a period piece. A careful viewer will find a message within that, for once, isn't superficial or forcefully pushing political idealism but instead seeks truth. Rivals is entertaining, clever, raunchy, and funny. Not a single episode feels loose, unnecessary, or forced; the story and characters build beautifully toward an outstanding climax.

The writing, scenes, lines, and direction all serve the greater whole. The soundtrack appeals to every child of the '80s. The acting is a pleasure to watch. The always excellent David Tennant shines as a humanized villain, with Alex Hassell as his opposing force. Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner form a believable, well-matched broken couple. The audience witnesses the rise of a few new stars, especially Bella Maclean will be name to recon in the future.

Highly recommended, the best show of the fall.

I am laughing at some of the reviews, clearly by readers who take themselves far too seriously.

This is a Jilly Cooper adaption.

It's not a series to be intellectualised or morally judged.

It's so much fun.

Superbly cast.

Yes, RCB's hair and eyes are the wrong colour. As is Taggies hair. But they work. Somehow.

RCB will disappoint some for this reason. But Alex Hassell is captures everything else about him.

Danny Dyer is perfect. David Tennant is EXCELLENT as always. And Aidan Turner is just gorgeous, if slightly young to play Declan.

Falters slightly in the final third. But yes. It's fabulous fun.

Watched it all in 1 go.

It's a pretty perfect modern-day adaptation of a Jilly Cooper book. That's almost a compliment, and that's entirely down to the excellent cast & some occasionally cracking writing.

That being said - writing-wise, the dialogue becomes noticeably clunkier around the episode 5 mark. I don't know if that's a change in scribe or a team of writers running out of steam alongside a pretty ambitious production, but it's jarring.

But like any Cooper work in any form, it was always going to stray near to soapy tonally and the fact it largely doesn't is genuinely impressive - but it IS ridiculous.

A good laugh and a nice break from bingeing heavy crime dramas - but not a classic.

Absolutely incredible - the wit, the innuendo, the humour, the characters, the on-pointness of the 80s era, the cast, the locations - it is perfection in a TV show. This type of TV has been missing for the last decade at least - it has everything.

Sentimentality and joy, tears of laughter and sadness, nostalgia on steroids and a cast that play their parts to perfection. I haven't a single bad word to say about this show. Hats off to the writers, the actors, the crew and everyone else involved.

Already on my second watch because there're just too many one-liners worth remembering that are possible to catch the first time round.

Bravo!

Yes to the soundtrack - great music from a time of great music - somehow even Adam and the Ants went with a slow motion fox hunt.

Sorry to the ladies (and any men that way inclined) but Alex Hassel is just not good looking.

With that chin there is only one character he is born to play and that is Judge Dredd.

As long as he doesn't remove the helmet like Sylvester Stallone and keeps it on like Karl Urban.

Otherwise a very enjoyable romp, well made and directed, rest of cast is great - even David Tennant who can be instantly irritating.

Katherine Parkinson was very good too.

Maybe Disney is finally getting back on track.

This series is hilarious it's kind of is like a mixture of League of Gentlemen, Pride and Prejudice, Alan Patridge and maybe a bit of Industry !!

So much British talent keep this engaging and compelling so that you just have to keep on watching. Anyone who grew up watching British ITV (channel 3) in the 80s can relate to almost every character. Still strange to think we only had 4 TV channels during this decade so each channel commanded huge viewing figures. Each character reminds me of someone on TV during that era or who they may have been slightly modelled on.

Definitely worth watching just to see who is going to do what next. Even if you didn't grow up watching British television definitely recommend.

This is not my type of watching. But I gave it a go. And in general, I quite liked it. I found it well filmed. Interesting cast. Glossy. Dramatic. Sexual. Great music.

I liked the start to the character development. Some interesting storylines. There are some stand out performances, notably being the daughter who falls in love.

So yes, I binged it and found it okay. But I didn't find it intelligent. The story played out exactly as you would expect. It was painfully predictable. I kept hoping for a smart twist, but it never came. The story just played by the numbers. I would say lazily so but some may say it plays to its target audience. I get that.

There is no Aaron Sorkin dialogue. It's not bad but not Oscar winning.

The third act felt an obvious decline in quality. It was so diluted down and rushed to meet the episode total target. Tenants character started interesting and ended like a parody character.

The attempts to address key social topics failed miserably. Very superficially addressed with no real attempt to hit a home run with the message.

So like liked the characters. I was disappointed in the story. And the climax was flat and predictable.

But I would recommend. I enjoyed a lot of it. I just wouldn't watch it again.

So obvs read the book an aeon ago (it was like a coming of age ritual in a certain time and place) and TBH remembered very little aside from the odd name (coz some Jilly created were soooo de rigeur - Rupert Campbell Black says it all - and have somewhat passed into the lexicon) but almost immediately I started to, if not remember the plot wholesale, get a synaptic snap with the heady scent of YSL Opium from watching The Rivals.

This adaptation (one ep in) is seeming to get it just right. Its silly giggles rather than laugh out loud and saucy not salacious. It quickly built the world - the 80s, greedy Thatcherite old boys and yuppies, bored wives and fearsome warrior women all treated like meat whatever they do, concord, cigars and the birdie song, the English class strata, the UK in a globalising world tryna dig nails in at the top... and the socio-political commentary, whilst not being shoved in your face, is much more clear than when reading the books. It might be coz I'm older and have met more people that Cooper's critique of British culture is more obvious, but I think its also the casting, the accents, the costumes - drawing out each character's habitus (to cite Bordeau) and presenting it to the audience for consideration, admiration, denigration and/or titillation.

Okay its a little bit of a panty, pantie panto but FFS why not?!

When I first saw Rivals was coming out I gave a little squee of excitement. I was also nervous ~ having been a fan of the books.

5 minutes in to the first episode and I was hooked. The clothes, the make up, the music ~ what a soundtrack.

Each episode is fast paced, there are no occasions where you feel bored or feel it's been stretched out, as often happens with a lot of these mini series.

The characters are all so unique and played so well, the acting and casting is fab.

I do understand the disappointment with changing Rupert's 'look' but it really isn't a big deal, or have any lasting impact imo.

This series is fun, bold, colourful, and nostalgic.

It doesn't disappoint at all, and can we just take a moment to appreciate David Tennent who yet again plays the 'bad' guy perfectly.

Please let there be more to come.

In so many ways, I'm amazed that this series got made, and in the format it's in.

It's set in the 80s, unashamedly full of married men banging their way through an assortment of much prettier, younger women who in turn are all after a chance to get what they need out of the situation they find themselves in. There are rivalries in the boardroom, in love/lust. There are 80s outfits and a soundtrack you'll love.

The cast are universally fantastic and really commit to the material, all credit to them, as they really help sell this nonsense.

There will be a second session, and I for one can not wait!

I never read the books, but I still thought the show looked good, so I went ahead and binged all of it in one sitting. The acting was phenomenal, and most of the people in this show are so fine, especially Alex Hassell, or at least I think he is. No wonder everyone wants to bang Rupert Campbell-Black. He was great in Violent Night and The Boys, even if he's only in a few episodes. I was surprised seeing him naked as Translucent, and I still surprised seeing him naked as Rupert. I don't care if Rupert was meant to be blonde or if people say that Alex is not that good-looking, he is still hot af.

Eagerly awaited by many 'Rivals' did not disappoint. One of the best series I've seen on television in a long time. Well written and true to Jilly Cooper's book. Those who have read the book will reconise Jilly's descrptions. Perfectly cast. Each character was portrayed, just as I imagined them. This ensemble of actors are masters of their craft. Costumes, furnishings, cars and scenery are detailed and authentic. Scenery stunning. Anyone living through the 80's will recognised many things. Sexy, passionate, intriguing and beautifully filmed. Loved every minute. Hope there's a season 2 in the not too distant future.

I am a huge fan of Jilly Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles and Rivals is my favourite. I was both excited and nervous when I heard that this show was being made. Excited because it deserves the screen time and nervous because a lot of intellectual property is ruined when adapted into films and TV series currently.

I'll start with the good: the fielis pretty spot on; There are lots of direct quotes and scenes from the book which is fantastic; the plot is mostly accurate three episodes in; and some of the casting is, excellent. The roles of Freddie Jones, Lizzie Vereker, Cameron Cooke and Maud O'Hara seem absolutely spot-on. The actors bring these characters to life really well. I'm not sure yet about Declan O'Hara who is played by the excellent Aiden Turner but somewhere in the writing, I feel they've taken away some of his strength and authority that comes across really well in the book.

The worst thing is the casting of Rupert Campbell-Black . I don't think they could've cast anybody worse in this role which is a real shame as he is really the central character of many of these chronicles. Rupert is meant to be very tall, blonde with blue eyes and although he's an irredeemable s**t as it says in the book and TV show he has charm, does care despite appearances and is absolutely redeemed by the love of a very good woman.

This Rupert Campbell Black is certainly not tall blonde and handsome and sadly it translates badly on the screen because when women and men are looking at him in adoration and admiration, we are left wondering why? It's clear the writers and producers read the book so I don't understand how this appalling decision was made. And sadly it does spoil my enjoyment of it. They have also, although to a lesser extent, picked the wrong tone for the character of Taggie. I think the actress is good but again Taggie does not look as described in the book. She should be 5 foot 10 with black cloudy hair and more importantly she is timid , shy underconfident but incredibly caring, loving and always tries to see the best in people.

She also really battles with dyslexia and tries to improve herself on a daily basis. The way the writers are creating Taggie in the TV show doesn't quite match this, but it is not as jarring as the RCB disaster. I will keep watching as it is a delight to see something you love on the screen and I think it's pretty spot on.

I just really wish they'd got Rupert right because it would've been so good and made much more sense to the story.

I read Rivals a few years ago and enjoyed every page! It's quite difficult to compare the book and its characters to its television adaptation, since we all bring our own perception of what certain characters should look and act like. Also, while we can read a book at our leisure, television has to move along at a pace that fits the format and doesn't drag, so some characters or side story lines may have to be cut for time's sake. That being said, yes, there are differences from the book, but none so great that it ruins the overall fun and entertainment value. The characters, especially Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara, the upstanding journalist and David Tennant, the nasty Lord B are great! Makes us love Declan as much as we hate Lord B! The 80s music is fantastic, though the one part I found annoying was the opening high pitched opera music, just not a good fit. As to all the sex scenes, yes, we could do without some, since we all have an imagination, but that would not be the book Cooper wrote. It was wonderful to spot Jilly Cooper herself in the restaurant lunch scene. She looked as though she was thoroughly enjoying the show, as did I. The last episode ended quite different from the book, so I'm hoping there will be at least another season where we get to see what happens with Taggie and RCB . . . And of course, we know nasty Lord B has to be around to wreak more havoc.

Really enjoyed this series, watched the whole thing in two days. Couldn't pick one character that stood out, the actors are all doing a fantastic job. I thought their facial expressions and delivery of the dialogues really added to the story.

Being an 80's fan, the decor, clothing and of course the use of music was a fantastic bonus.

Whoever was in charge of the music: you're a genius. The timing of certain songs was perfection. For me, the erotic scenes could have been less explicit, that's why I give it 9 stars instead of 10. I really hope a new season is being made, I can't wait to watch it!

This is probably a faithful adaption of the book. I'm saying that because it's very, very 80s. It manages to include all the things that made that decade awful (greed, crassness, sexism) but doesn't counteract that with any character with which you can relate or even have empathy with. It also has some seriously questionable casting. Are we really supposed to think the chap that plays David Tenant's rival is in any way attractive? Aiden Turner's wife and daughter swooning over him just looks ridiculous. Tenant camps it up, acting as though he's enjoying the paypacket and Turner does an OK job, but it's really like watching an 80s sub porn comedy movie but with actors you recognise. Not for me thanks.

Incidentally, check out how many of the 10 star reviews, and I'm guessing a similar proportion of just ratings come from first time IMDB users, most with randomised names. It's a problem with all review sites but seems to be increasingly prevalent here.

I'm not surprised at the incredibly shallow "whining" of some, "wah wah, Rupert Campbell-Black was blonde and blue-eyed."

Well, when I first saw Alex Hassell, I couldn't believe those eyes, and how he just carried this undercurrent that would bury RCB. He's enormously well cast, and as a 40 year fan of all of Jilly's books, I have zero problem at all with Mr. Hassell. His eyes surpass any idea I might of had of who might play Rupert. And that is a remarkable thing for someone to achieve, when the idea of who RCB is, what he looks and acts like, was so ingrained.

Well done...I bet Jilly's happy!