Rivals
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Rivals
Rivals (2024) is a British period comedy-drama television series, an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's popular novel. Set in the opulent and cutthroat world of 1980s Rutshire, the narrative delves into the intense rivalry between two powerful men, Rupert Campbell-Black and Tony Baddingham, who vie for control of a burgeoning independent television station. The series explores their personal and professional power struggles, complicated by a web of romantic entanglements, betrayals, and social maneuvering among the wealthy elite. Known for its 'bonkbuster' reputation, the show is characterized by its explicit and adult themes, including frequent sexual content, strong language, and a portrayal of a hedonistic lifestyle. It is intended for a mature audience due to its explicit nature and complex adult relationships, offering a dramatic and often raunchy depiction of ambition and desire.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The series includes prominent LGBTQ representation, featuring a gay male couple, Charles Fairburn and Gerald Middleton, whose relationship is explored within the context of the 1980s, touching upon themes of secrecy and societal challenges. Additionally, a same-sex couple is visually depicted in an explicit sexual montage early in the series, establishing a high level of LGBTQ content.
In Season 1, Episode 1, a montage sequence showcasing various couples engaged in sexual activity explicitly includes a same-sex couple. The character Charles Fairburn is openly gay, involved in a secret relationship with Gerald Middleton, an MP. Their hidden romance highlights the difficulties and social pressures faced by gay individuals in the 1980s, with Gerald even contemplating marriage to a woman for career protection.
Violence
The series contains significant instances of physical and implied sexual violence. This includes scenes of domestic assault and a depiction of sexual assault, often tied to the cutthroat nature of the characters' ambitions and the misogynistic undertones of the 1980s setting.
Romance and Sexual Content
Known as a 'bonkbuster,' 'Rivals' is replete with explicit and frequent sexual content, including full nudity, numerous sex scenes, and themes of adultery and promiscuity as central plot points. The series openly explores romantic and sexual relationships, often outside of marital bounds, from the very first episode.
Profanity
The show features strong and frequent profanity, with numerous uses of explicit curse words and taking God's name in vain. This intense language contributes to the mature nature of the dialogue.
Disrespect & Rebellion
Disrespect and rebellious behavior are central to the series' themes, particularly through widespread adultery, challenges to societal norms, and insubordination within professional and personal spheres. Characters frequently engage in acts of defiance and open disdain for authority or marital vows.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
This series is recommended for mature audiences, aged 18 and older. The recommendation is due to pervasive explicit sexual content, including nudity and multiple instances of adultery, along with strong and frequent profanity. The show also features themes of violence, including domestic assault and sexual assault, and a general atmosphere of hedonism and moral ambiguity that is not suitable for younger viewers.
Good to Know
Reports from long-tail sources, specifically the Evening Standard, alleged 'raunchy drug-taking all-nighters' and cocaine use by some members of the 'Rivals' cast and crew behind the scenes during the production of the first series, although there is no suggestion that this involved any of the main actors or was explicitly shown as character action within the series.
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