Watch Hot Men Play Naked Tennis While Fighting For Love In “Rivals”
It’s 1986 in Britain. Enter Rivals, Hulu’s new series based on Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel. This isn’t your typical British drama – it’s got more skin than Bridgerton and more sass than The Crown.
Alex Hassell plays Rupert Campbell-Black, an ex-Olympian turned MP. David Tennant is Lord Tony Baddingham, his wealthy nemesis. Their fight kicks off when Baddingham starts Corinium, a new TV station, and nicks star presenter Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) right from under Campbell-Black’s nose.
Love in the Time of Thatcher’s Britain
The heart of Rivals beats strongest in its tender romance between Charles Fairburn (Gary Lamont) and Gerald Middleton (Hubert Burton). Charles runs programming at Corinium, living openly despite the era’s prejudices. Gerald dreams of parliament but must keep his private life private. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of 1980s politics and social change.
Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins crafted each intimate scene with purpose. The first episode ends with a passionate montage set to Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough, showing various characters in private moments. It’s not gratuitous – each scene moves the story forward.
All eight episodes of Rivals are now streaming on Hulu. It’s a bold, fresh take on 1980s Britain, where power, passion, and politics collide in ways both shocking and touching. Watch it for the drama, stay for the heart.
