Hulu's '80s Drama Rivals Renewed Amidst Scandal

Hulu's British period drama, Rivals, has secured a renewal for a third season. This critically acclaimed series, set in the absurd '80s entertainment industry, uses nostalgia to tell compelling, character-driven stories.

Based on Dame Jilly Cooper's bestselling Rutshire Chronicles, Rivals depicts a fierce competition for a regional TV franchise. The show masterfully blends family dysfunction, sexual politics, actual politics, and forbidden romance, creating a hilariously scandalous and heartbreaking drama.

The series currently boasts an impressive 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. In 2025, Rivals was honored with the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series.

Anchored by the animosity between David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham and Alex Hassell's Rupert Campbell-Black, the show features a stellar ensemble cast. Performances by actors like Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer, Nafessa Williams, and Katherine Parkinson elevate the complex character dynamics and emotional stakes.

The second part of season two, consisting of three episodes, is scheduled to premiere on November 11. The renewal for season 3 ensures more stories from Cooper's rich fictional county, as there are 11 books in the Rutshire Chronicles series.