Honestly, if you haven't seen the "naked tennis" scene yet, are you even living in 2026?
Jilly Cooper’s world of Rutshire finally hit our screens, and it is every bit as chaotic, shoulder-padded, and scandalous as the original 1988 novel promised. But let's be real: trying to figure out exactly rivals show where to watch can be a bit of a headache depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re sitting on. Streaming rights are a messy business.
One minute you think a show is on Netflix because everything seems to be on Netflix, and the next you’re scrolling through three different apps realizing you need a completely different login.
Where Can You Actually Stream Rivals?
The answer is pretty straightforward, but it splits by geography. Since the show is a Disney+ Original, that’s your primary home for all eight episodes of the first season.
- In the United States: You won't find it directly under the Disney+ tile unless you have the bundle. You actually need to head over to Hulu. Because of the show's "TV-MA" rating (and trust me, it earns that rating within the first five minutes), Disney tucked it away on their more adult-oriented platform in the States.
- In the UK, Canada, and Australia: It is exclusively on Disney+ under the "Star" banner.
- Everywhere Else: If you’re in Europe or most other international territories, Disney+ is the spot.
I’ve seen people complaining that they can’t find it on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. To be clear: you might see a landing page for it on Apple TV, but that’s just a link that will kick you back over to the Hulu or Disney app. You can’t "buy" the season on iTunes or Google Play yet. It’s a streaming-only deal for the foreseeable future.
👉 See also: America's Got Talent Transformation: Why the Show Looks So Different in 2026
What is This Show Even About?
If you aren't familiar with Jilly Cooper’s "Rutshire Chronicles," imagine if Succession had a baby with Dynasty and then let that baby run wild in the English countryside with a lot of gin and very little clothing.
It’s 1986. The hair is huge. The egos are bigger. The plot centers on a long-standing blood feud between two men who basically want to ruin each other’s lives for the fun of it.
On one side, you’ve got Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell. He’s a former Olympic showjumper turned Tory MP who is essentially a professional heartbreaker. On the other side is Lord Tony Baddingham, played by a deliciously villainous David Tennant. Tony runs Corinium Television and is desperate to keep his broadcasting franchise while taking Rupert down a peg.
Then you toss in Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, a fierce Irish journalist who gets caught in the middle of their power play. It’s not just about boardroom deals; it’s about bedroom deals. The show is famous for its "bonkbuster" roots—a term coined back in the day for these high-society, high-sex-drive novels.
✨ Don't miss: All I Watch for Christmas: What You’re Missing About the TBS Holiday Tradition
Why Everyone is Obsessed (and Why You Might Be Too)
It’s not just the smut. Well, okay, the smut helps. But the casting is actually brilliant.
Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones is a standout. Most people know him as the hardman from EastEnders, but here he plays a self-made electronics mogul who is surprisingly sweet. His relationship with Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) is arguably the only "real" romance in a show filled with people stabbing each other in the back.
The production value is also top-tier. They didn't skimp on the 80s aesthetic. We’re talking bright blue eyeshadow, blocky car phones, and enough champagne to drown a small village. It feels like a time capsule that’s been shaken up and poured into a modern streaming format.
Is There a Season 2?
Yes. Thank God.
🔗 Read more: Al Pacino Angels in America: Why His Roy Cohn Still Terrifies Us
Disney+ already confirmed that Rivals is coming back. Given that the first season ended on a massive cliffhanger involving a very heavy award trophy and a lot of blood, we need answers. Word on the street is that filming for the second outing is well underway, aiming for a 2026 release window.
Quick Checklist for Watching Rivals
If you're ready to dive in tonight, here is the "I just want to watch it now" breakdown:
- Check your region. US = Hulu. UK/Global = Disney+.
- Check your parental controls. If you're sharing an account with kids, this show will likely be hidden behind a PIN because of the TV-MA/18+ rating. You might need to go into your profile settings to "Allow" adult content.
- Prepare for the binge. There are 8 episodes. Each is about an hour long.
- Watch the "Naked Tennis" scene. It’s in Episode 1. You’ll know it when you see it.
The show doesn't take itself too seriously, which is why it works. It knows it’s a soap opera with a massive budget. It’s ridiculous, it’s loud, and it’s probably the most fun you’ll have watching a "period drama" this year.
Stop scrolling through the "Coming Soon" sections and just go to Hulu or Disney+ and search for Rivals. Just make sure the curtains are closed before you hit play on the first episode—the opening scene on the airplane is... a lot.