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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”
