Synopsis: Rutshire is rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point. As Tony Baddingham tightens his grip, leaks and buried secrets threaten to destroy families and careers. Declan fights to save Venturer while Rupert confronts difficult truths about love and loyalty. Across hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify. As corruption at the heart of the franchise battle is finally exposed, Taggie must follow her heart while everyone faces the consequences of ambition, power and the secrets they can no longer hide. (Courtesy Hulu, 2026)

The Cast:
Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black
David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham
Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara
Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook
Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker
Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara
Emily Atack
Catriona Chandler
Oliver Chris
Danny Dyer
Rufus Jones
Lisa McGrillis
Luke Pasqualino
Claire Rushbrook
Victoria Smurfit

Production Credits:
Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Laura Wade, “Rivals” author Dame Jilly Cooper and director of scripted content for Disney+ EMEA Lee Mason. Rivals is produced by Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios. The series is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade, alongside the series episodic writers’ room, which includes Sophie Goodhart, Marek Horn, Mimi Hare and Clare Naylor, Dare Aiyegbayo, Kefi Chadwick. Tray Agyeman is a shadow writer on Episode 6, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh is a staff writer in the room. The casting director is Kelly Valentine Hendry.

The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Hulu)
1-01 Episode 1--10/18/2024
Declan joins TV boss Tony, who clashes with enemy Rupert. Which of the rivals will win?
Written by: Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Directed by: Elliott Hegarty

1-02 Episode 2--10/18/2024
Declan needs his new TV show to be a hit and Tony must attend a dinner with his rival Rupert.
Written by: Laura Wade
Directed by: Elliott Hegarty

1-03 Episode 3--10/18/2024
It is the festive period and Taggie is exhausted, but help comes from the unlikeliest of places.
Written by: Sophie Goodhart
Directed by: Elliott Hegarty

1-04 Episode 4--10/18/2024
Declan prepares to interview and damage Rupert, while Tony invites Freddie to an impressive shoot.
Written by: Mark Horn
Directed by: Elliott Hegarty

1-05 Episode 5--10/18/2024
A historic week at Corinium reveals an ugly truth lurking beneath the gloss of a beauty pageant.
Written by: Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare
Directed by: Dee Koppang O'Leary

1-06 Episode 6--10/18/2024
Cameron attends TV awards in Spain and bumps into Rupert. Is this the beginning of something new?
Written by: Dare Aiyegbayo
Directed by: Alexandra Brodski

1-07 Episode 7--10/18/2024
Tony is furious when Rupert, Declan, and Freddie make moves against his company. Who can he trust?
Written by: Kefi Chadwick
Directed by: Dee Koppang O'Leary

1-08 Episode 8--10/18/2024
Secrets are exposed as Corinium and Venturer face off in the first round of the TV franchise battle.
Written by: Laura Wade
Directed by: Alexandra Brodski