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It is 1986 and Britain is booming. "Rivals" dives headfirst into the cutthroat world of TV where hair-dos are big and ambitions are even bigger. Deals are brokered in boardrooms, as well as bedrooms. Nobody can be sure who will come out on top. With every man and woman out only for themselves, can true love really blossom?
David Tennant
Tony Baddingham
Aidan Turner
Declan O'Hara
Danny Dyer
Freddie Jones
Alex Hassell
Rupert Campbell-Black
Nafessa Williams
Cameron Cook
Bella Maclean
Taggie O'Hara
Katherine Parkinson
Lizzie Vereker
Victoria Smurfit
Maud O'Hara
Claire Rushbrook
Lady Monica Baddingham
Oliver Chris
James Vereker
2026
Following the events of the previous season, Rupert shelters Cameron whilst Tony, having survived his injury, seeks justice. A polo match takes place with both Corinium and Venturer filming for broadcast. Despite pressure from Tony, Cameron sides with Rupert. Tony promises revenge.
Tony Baddingham returns more dangerous than ever; as Declan attempts to rebuild his life, Taggie pines for a missing Rupert; a high-stakes polo match reignites the rivalry, redrawing battle lines for a costly new war.
A scandalous Corinium exposé sends shockwaves through Rutshire and Westminster and Rupert faces mounting pressure on election day over the future of his political career. Declan and Venturer reel from the fallout. As Venturer’s future is threatened, Tony exploits their growing divisions and Rupert is forced to confront the true cost of the scandal.
Maud returns to Rutshire, igniting fury from Declan as Tony draws her into Corinium. Rupert tries to find a way forward, only for old sins to resurface. Venturer land a lucky break, but as A Midsummer Night’s Dream descends into chaos, Tony seduces Maud with the promise of stardom and her spellbinding turn as Titania makes it clear that ambition comes with a greater cost than she bargained for.
In Ireland, Declan clashes with Cameron as his marriage unravels. Back home, Rupert turns disgrace into opportunity, securing a prime time slot for Venturer. While Monica withdraws, Tony doubles down on his desire for power and control while Declan and Cameron discover the true limits of a professional working relationship. As Venturer battle for the Golden Gauntlet, who will emerge victorious?
2024
To ensure the success of his TV company, Corinium, Tony Baddingham hires brilliant interviewer Declan O'Hara and ambitious American producer Cameron Cook. As the O'Haras move to the countryside, Declan has a rude awakening on his first day on the job, while Declan's daughter, Taggie, and wife, Maud,must adjust to their new life and neighbors. As the O'Haras find themselves caught in the cross-fire between rivals Tony and Rupert Campbell-Black, will Declan regret his new career move?
Declan feels the pressure to deliver a new hit show for Tony and his company, Corinium, with producer Cameron on hand to help despite their fractious relationship. Keen to recruit businessman Freddie Jones, Tony agrees to attend a dinner party, but the guest list holds nasty surprises. Taggie gets her first catering job, but the evening is fraught with incidents. When the dinner party descends into chaos, can Tony salvage the situation and kill two birds with one stone?
It is Christmas time and everyone is celebrating except Declan, who worries about Maud's extravagant party plans for their son's twenty-first birthday on New Year's Eve. Taggie is eager to reunite with an old flame and works to make the night perfect, but the evening is full of surprises as worlds collide. A serious event shocks Taggie and she is taken aback when Rupert offers help. Will Taggie accept Rupert's apology? Where will the chips fall for all concerned when the hangovers fade?
Keen to punish Rupert, Declan prepares to interview and obliterate him live on television. Meanwhile, Tony invites Freddie to his prestigious pheasant shoot, eager to recruit him to the Corinium board. With a little nudge from Rupert, Taggie starts to assert herself, but she worries that Declan has lost his way. The nation waits with bated breath for Rupert and Declan's showdown. Will Tony finally get his wish to bring down Rupert Campbell-Black?
It is a busy week at Corinium Studios. Preparations are underway for the first beauty pageant and a historic interview with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Declan's ego is growing with each successful show, but he strives for journalistic glory and to prove his integrity. As Tony breathes down his neck, will he play ball? If not, is Corinium big enough for both of them?
Cameron attends an awards ceremony in Spain alone, and is surprised to bump into Rupert staying at the same hotel. Out of Rutshire and away from prying eyes, could this be the start of something new, and what could it mean for Tony or Taggie? Meanwhile, Rupert takes a gamble to help new company Venturer take on rival Tony's Corinium. Will it pay off or will Declan and Freddie think Rupert has finally gone too far?
When Tony learns that Rupert, Declan, and Freddie have formed Venturer to challenge his bid for the television franchise, he is furious. Things look up when Corinium is nominated for another prestigious award, and his relationship with Cameron deepens. Meanwhile, Taggie offers to help campaign for Venturer, which means a chance to get closer to Rupert. But with Rupert linked to Cameron, can Taggie ever really get close?
Paranoid, Tony demands loyalty, but can he trust those closest to him? Corinium and Venturer prepare for a gladiatorial public meeting to decide if Rupert, Declan, and Freddie can contend for the franchise against Tony. Both teams pull out all the stops to impress local residents and the IBA, but as fissures appear, could Tony and his dirty tricks derail Venturer before they have really started? With secrets exposed, which relationships will survive, and which rival will ultimately win out?
1988
