Hulu has revealed a new teaser trailer and more photos for the eight-part series Rivals, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. The series will debut on Hulu in the U.S. on October 18, 2024.
Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986.
This second wave of images (view the first wave of images here) introduces nine more iconic characters from the drama: Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack, The Emily Atack Show, The Inbetweeners), Caitlin O’Hara (Catriona Chandler, Pistol, Enola Holmes 2), James Vereker (Oliver Chris, The Crown, Trying), and Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer, EastEnders, The Football Factory).
There’s also Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones, W1A, Home), Valerie Jones (Lisa McGrillis, Maternal, Mum), Bas Baddingham (Luke Pasqualino, Skins, Shantaram), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook, Sherwood, Ali & Ava), and Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit, Bloodlands, Once Upon a Time).
The first looks are accompanied by a teaser trailer showcasing the ’80s set saga, which also stars Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, David Tennant, Aidan Turner, and Nafessa Williams.
Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (A Very English Scandal, Holding, EastEnders), Alexander Lamb (Ackley Bridge, The Bay, We Hunt Together), Felicity Blunt, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (The Riot Club), 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 (The Baby, Sex Education), Marek Horn (Wild Swimming, Octopolis), Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor (The Accidental Husband), Dare Aiyegbayo (The Dumping Ground, EastEnders), and Kefi Chadwick (Looted, Avoidance).
Tray Agyeman is a shadow writer on episode 6, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh (The Pink Pill) is the staff writer in the room. The casting director is Kelly Valentine Hendry (Bridgerton, The Last Kingdom, Kaos).
The lead director is BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty (Ted Lasso, Cheaters, Trying), who also serves as executive producer on episodes 1-4. Eliza Mellor (The Midwich Cuckoos, Behind Her Eyes, Poldark) produces the series. Dee Koppang O’Leary (The Crown) and Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy) also direct episodes.
You can watch the official teaser trailer here and keep scrolling for more photos.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to provide the latest news on streaming, movies, and TV shows. He previously created the websites ComingSoon, SuperHeroHype, and ShockTillYouDrop.