Doctor Who star David Tennant conquers the corrupt and scandalous world of 1980s television executives in Rivals
David Tennant stars in an eight episode adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s famous, or infamous, novel Rivals. The new Disney+ series preserves the novel’s 1980s setting, as it peeks behind the scandalous curtains of the 80’s ultra-rich. Former Doctor Who star Tennant stars as Lord Tony Baddingham, the deeply corrupt CEO of Corinium Television. With the channel’s licence up for renewal, Baddingham moves to stop his hated rival Robert Campbell-Black (The Boys’ Alex Hassell) from stealing its slot. He signs controversial news presenter Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner), but the volatile journalist may be more than Baddingham can control.
Meanwhile, O’Hara and new producer Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams) immediately forge a dysfunctional team based on mutual loathing. More than that, he discovers he’s the latest pawn in the war between Baddingham and Campbell-Black. One both men seek to seduce to their side or, failing that, utterly destroy.
You can see the trailer for Rivals, which will air on Hulu in the United States, below.
Rivals also features other faces familiar to Doctor Who fans. Tennant’s The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit co-star Claire Rushbrook plays Baddingham’s wife Lady Monica. Annabel Scholey, who was the powerful psychic Claire in Flux, is the ruthless tabloid journalist Beattie Johnson. Going back further, Genesis of the Daleks’ Guy Siner is Bishop Brenton.
Other notable stars include Victoria Smurfit (Once Upon a Time) as Declan’s wife Maud, Katherine Parkinson (Sherlock) as novelist Lizzie Vereker, whose writer’s block may be about to be unlocked by the scandals she witnesses, and Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones.
Rivals will be on Hulu in the United States, and on Disney+ elsewhere. Disney haven’t announced the release date yet, but it’s expected to arrive later this year.
The series is just one of a number of upcoming projects for the always busy David Tennant. Fans can soon see him return as the demon Crowley in the third and final season of Good Omens. The Doctor Who actor will also be in the adaptation of best selling novel The Thursday Murder Club, and lending his voice to Disney+ animated comedy Standing By about a group of bored and disgruntled guardian angels.
