Rivals
Perfect for those who miss "Downton Abbey" but want something bolder and sexier — here are the 1980s in all their glamorous and deadly glory.
Disney+ released on October 18, 2024, an adaptation of the cult novel by Jilly Cooper from the "Rutshire Chronicles" series. Set in the 1980s in the fictional county of Rutshire, it follows television company manager Tony Boddingham (Alex Hassell) and his neighbor, Olympic champion Rupert Campbell-Black (Aidan Turner), as they engage in a long-standing rivalry. Their conflict involves wives, lovers, colleagues, and friends, turning into a dangerous high-stakes game. The format consists of 8 episodes filmed in the style of "Downton Abbey" with plenty of elements: there’s aristocracy, sports, media intrigue, and explicit scenes. Writers Dominic Treadwell-Collins ("A Very English Scandal") and Laura Wade ("The Riot Club") preserved the spirit of the 1980s but updated the dialogues for a modern audience.
8 episodes, all available at once on Disney+.
Possibly, if the success is repeated — Cooper wrote several books about Rutshire ("Riders," "Polo") that could be adapted.
The writers updated some moments for a modern audience but preserved the spirit of the 1980s and the main plotlines.
The main character of Cooper's book series — an Olympic champion, Member of Parliament, womanizer, and Tony's neighbor, his main rival.
A series of novels by Jilly Cooper about the residents of the fictional English county of Rutshire, mixing aristocracy, sports, and scandals.