Director: Elliot Hegarty
Boardrooms and bedrooms collide in this 1980s British broadcasting saga, where ambition burns hotter than the era's shoulder pads.
What is Rivals about?
Set in 1986, at the peak of Britain's independent television boom, the story follows a tangle of rival broadcasters, executives, and on-air talent all fighting for control of a regional TV franchise. Contracts get signed in boardrooms, but the real deals happen after hours, in hotel rooms and country estates, where loyalties shift as fast as the ratings. A newly arrived station chief tries to shake up a newsroom used to doing things its own way, while a cast of ambitious presenters, producers, and their partners circle each other with equal parts desire and suspicion. Old money, new money, and old grudges tangle together as the group chases fame, money, and each other. Underneath the glossy surface of hairspray and power suits sits a sharper question: whether anyone in this world can afford to actually fall in love when everyone is playing an angle.
Cast & crew
David Tennant and Aidan Turner anchor the ensemble as two men on opposite sides of the industry's changing guard, with Danny Dyer, Alex Hassell, Nafessa Williams, and Bella Maclean rounding out a cast built for big, theatrical performances. Katherine Parkinson and Victoria Smurfit bring dry wit to the supporting roles, keeping the melodrama grounded even at its most over-the-top.
Context & significance
Adapted from a bestselling novel, the mini-series leans into the glossy, ensemble style of eighties-set British drama, pairing period costuming and needle-drop soundtrack cues with a fast, soapy pace. Director Elliot Hegarty keeps the many overlapping storylines moving briskly across the season's run. The show also captures the media landscape of the period, when regional broadcasters jockeyed for national attention and a single hit format could remake a career overnight.
Where & how to watch
Rivals streams on K-Time with a Farsi-friendly interface, and the series is available with Persian dubbing as well as Persian subtitles. A free K-Time account is all that's needed to sign in and start watching.