SET in the 80s, Rivals promised to bring saucy fun to Disney+ and it has certainly delivered.

The sexy series, which stars David Tennant, has finally dropped and everyone is talking about that opening scene.

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The show is based off of Jilly Cooper’s book of the same name, which explores the racy, secret lives of Britain’s aristocrats.

So what really happened in that scandalous opening scene?

That opening scene

It’s fair to say that Rivals starts with a bang.

The opening episode of the first ever series starts with a group of passengers in the 1980s on board the famous Concorde.

Viewers are quickly then moved on to a couple joining the mile high club in the toilet.

Fans are greeted with a shot of leading character Rupert Campbell-Black’s naked behind as he ravishes a woman on board the famous fast aeroplane.

Whilst things heat up in the toilet, Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love is played in the background.

The saucy moment sees an air hostess continuously knock on the door, but Rupert and his lover continue to romp.

After they are done, they leave the toilet and walk off as if nothing has happened.

Star cast

Alex Hassell

Alex shot to fame with the Prime Video drama The Boys, alongside several stage roles with The Royal Shakespeare Company.

He will be playing Rupert Campbell-Black, the Tory MP for Rutshire and a retired Olympic show-jumper.

Rupert’s battle for control of the media empire Corinium Television with David Tennant’s character forms the basis of the show.

Disney +

David Tennant

Fans of David’s whimsical role in Doctor Who might be in for a shock, as he plays the single-minded Lord Tony Baddingham.

He is one of the titular rivals and wants to expand his Corinium Television empire, much to the annoyance of Alex’s character Rupert.

The Scottish actor has been known for villainous roles in the past, but none have been so hilariously wicked as Lord Tony Baddingham.

Disney +

Aiden Turner

Aiden charmed the country when he played British army veteran Ross Poldark in the hit BBC series.

In Rivals, he plays the fiercely tempered Declan O’Hara who had recently joined Corinium TV before the show.

However, when Lord Tony refuses to deliver on his promises, the star journalist gets dragged into the bitter feud at the core of the series.

Katherine Parkinson

Katherine has had a varied career on screen, from the hilarious Jen Barber on The IT Crowd to fiercely protective lawyer and mum-of-two on Channel 4’s Humans.

In Rivals, she plays acid-tongued Lizzie Vereker who struggles to balance her mischievous side with her loyalty to her friends.

It’s another hilarious role for the comedic actress, who is known for her side-splitting jokes in a deadpan style.

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Danny Dyer

Danny might not be the first actor that you would think might star in a TV show about aristocrats, but he’ll be paying Freddie Jones on Jilly Cooper’s new show.

Freddie is a new-moneyed cockney who has a larger-than-life persona.

He has been described as a character that will stir-the-pot, just like his hilarious EastEnders character Mick Carter.

Claire Rushbrook

Claire is best known for her role as Roxanne in the film Secrets and Lies and her role as Linda Earl-Bouchtat in My Mad Fat Diary.

Her character in Rivals is Lady Monica Baddingham, the high-society loving wife of David Tennant’s character.

Monica is said to be very loyal to her husband, even when he is scheming against his rivals.

Luke Pasqualino

Fans of the Channel 4 drama Skins will be thrilled to see yet another actor from the hit show make a return, after Kaya Scodelario’s return to the small screen with The Gentlemen.

Luke Pasqualino will play Lord Tony Baddingham’s brother, who owns a bar decorated in a true 1980s-sleaze style.

He loves a game of polo and is just as scheming as the rest of the show’s cast.

Disney +

More actors on Rivals

There are more iconic British actors making appearances in Rivals, including Emily Atack as the sassy Sarah Strutton and Lisa McGrillis as the no-nonsense Valerie Jones.

Oliver Chris will play Katherine Parker’s bumbling partner James Vereker, alongside Nafessa Williams who will play ambitious entrepreneur Cameron Cook.

Victoria Smurfit will play the vain former actress Maud O’Hara and Bella Maclean will be playing her daughter Taggie O’Hara.

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How to watch Rivals

Rivals dropped on Disney+ on October 18, 2024, much to the delight of fans.

The eight-part reworking of Jilly Cooper’s novel has already impressed bosses at the streaming giant, and a second series is a possibility.

A TV insider said: “The feeling is that there is still so much more in the story that could easily be made into a sequel.

“Disney+ appear to be on board, even though they haven’t announced an official commission yet.

“Bosses at the streamer can see there is a huge amount of anticipation for this show, and having seen the episodes, they know it won’t disappoint”

TALI Shapiro was just 8-years-old when she was attacked by the Dating Game Killer Rodney Alcala. 

Thankfully, a passerby managed to save Tali from the serial murderer whose TV appearance on the Dating Game was dramatized in Netflix’s Woman of the Hour.

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AP: Associated press

Horrific attack

Tali was walking to school on September 25, 1968, when she crossed paths with Rodney Alcala.

Just a month earlier, Rodney had committed one of his first horrific crimes, when he attacked a 16-year-old called Morgan Rowan.

Thankfully, Morgan was saved by her friends before Rodney could kill her.

Tali had not heard about the attack, while staying with her parents at the Chateau Marmont, so she didn’t immediately think that Rodney seemed dangerous. 

Later in life, she opened up to the experience to 20/20 and said: “I told him I didn’t talk to strangers,”

“That is when he told me he knew my parents.

“I really didn’t want to get into the car but I was raised to respect my elders. 

“I didn’t know to fear people.”

Rodney took her to his apartment under the pretense of showing her a picture, before sexually assaulting her and attacking her with a steel bar. 

Tali’s life was saved by Donald Haines, a passerby who phoned the police when he saw the eight-year-old get into Rodney’s car.

He followed Tali and Rodney to the apartment, which allowed the police to locate them in time. 

Rodney fled from the scene and Tali was left in a coma for 32 days.

Rodney fled to New York after the crime, where he murdered a woman named Cornelia Crilley while using the alias Jack Berger, sometimes spelled Burger. 

AP: Associated Press

Rodney faces justice for the first time

The soon-to-be-named Dating Game Killer was put on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives in 1971. 

Two children attending an arts camp noticed his photo at a post office and reported Rodney to the police. 

He was extradited to California to face justice for his attack on Tali, but her family had already moved to Mexico by this time. 

They refused to allow Tali to testify at the trial, which made it difficult to charge Rodney with rape or attempted murder. 

However, he did get convicted of child molestation which saw him stay behind bars until 1977. 

Rodney was granted parole briefly in 1974, but was re-arrested after attacking a 13-year-old girl. 

Alarmy

The Dating Game Killer

Rodney appeared on The Dating Game show in 1978, where he tried to charm Cheryl Bradshaw into choosing him as her date. 

Eventually, she did pick him but Cheryl later backed out of the date when Rodney’s ominous comments made her feel uneasy. 

He referred to nighttime as his favorite time of day, because it meant that “ you’re really ready” and said that he was a “banana”, before inviting her to “peel me”. 

Rodney’s killing spree intensified after Cheryl rejected him but he was finally caught after the tragic murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. 

Robin’s friends saw Rodney’s face and were able to describe him to the police, who circulated a sketch of the killer.

At this time, Rodney had adopted a new tactic to kill his victims which involved posing as a photographer to trick them into going to remote locations.

Rodney’s parole officer, who was assigned to him after his attack on Tali, recognized him and reported him to the police.

He was arrested in 1979 and sentenced to death in 1980, but this sentence was overturned four years later. 

Instead, the Dating Game Killer spent the rest of his life in prison before dying from natural causes in 2021. 

Woman of the Hour

Rodney’s appearance on the Dating Game is dramatized in Netflix’s thriller Woman of the Hour. 

The film was directed by Anna Kendrick who also stars as Cheryl Bradshaw. 

Woman of the Hour is available for streaming on Netflix from October 16, 2024. 

CUSTOMERS have been raving over an affordable home decor item at Dollar Tree.

The homeware essential is a nearly identical dupe to similar offerings at higher-end stores like Pottery Barn.

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Dollar Tree is offering a sweet deal on a home essential in October[/caption]

Dollar Tree

The discount retailer’s Clear Glass Cylinder Vase is only $1.25[/caption]

At a price of just $1.25, the Clear Glass Cylinder Vase is flying off shelves at the discount retailer this month.

It features a “contemporary, cylindrical design” with a height of around 7.25 inches and a diameter of 3.25 inches, per the product description.

Dollar Tree emphasized the vase as ideal for decorating living spaces, offices, or venues for special events.

The vase can be filled with customers’ favorite flowers, candles, gemstones, or even potpourri.

Those who buy the Clear Glass Cylinder Vase online would have to buy the vases in a box of 12 for $15.

Unless that quantity is desired, it’s probably best to pick the vase up at shoppers’ local Dollar Tree store for the $1.25 deal.

VASE VALUED

Several customers who have already bought the vase have given it positive feedback.

“These vases are great for parties. They are SO affordable,” someone wrote in review.

“They’re perfect! I actually need to buy more to complete my wedding project,” another added.

“I buy these all the time for my flower shop, customers seem happy with them they are just the right size!” a third exclaimed.

Pottery Barn has also put a sale on its Handcrafted Clark Taper Glass Vases.

The vases are offered in small, medium, and large sizes with diameters of 4.25, six, and eight inches, respectively.

Each stands at a height of six or nine inches and is “handcrafted and mouth blown from recycled glass,” according to the product description.

They’re also free of lead and are imported.

PRICE COMPARISON

The small version of the Handcrafted Clark Taper Glass Vase is currently listed at $19.99, down from $29.50.

That’s $18.74, or about 93% more expensive than Dollar Tree’s dupe.

Deciding which vase is best will come down to customers’ budgets and personal preferences.

Shoppers preparing for Halloween in the coming days should also watch out for other deals at Dollar Tree.

For example, a spooky decoration nearly identical to an offering at Michaels is going fast for 83% less.

A pumpkin-themed item is also flying off shelves and is 99% cheaper than a Pottery Barn favorite.

North Shore Search and Rescue has issued a warning for everyone to stay back from river and creek banks this weekend due to the amount of rain forecast.

A Spiritwood family battling an infestation of bats since 2022 was forced to foreclose their home this year, claiming a lack of policy and support played a key role in the issue.

Ottawa will spend $3 million on international advertising to attract visitors back to Jasper and Alberta is putting $2.5 million towards helping tourism businesses rebuild.

Manitoba is the second province to sign an agreement, after Newfoundland and Labrador did so last month. 

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