Just starting Rivals. I had no idea!

[SadSaq]

I didn't know it was set in the 80s.

Looks promising.

This makes me feel old. Those books, and Jilly Cooper, were everywhere in the 1980s. To not know about the books and Jilly would be like not knowing who the Prime Minister was.

Agree re Danny Dyer, can't stand the sight of him usually but he was lovely in this.

I absolutely loved Rivals, loved the books and have re-read them more than once.
I’m not a Danny Dyer fan, I always thought he was basically being himself when he was Mick in Eastenders but he was a revelation to me in Rivals, he was wonderful and I actually didn’t realise it was him at first.
I can’t wait for series two, does anyone know when it’s starting?

Hooray, hooray
The first of May
...
Begins today. 😎

I'm scared to watch as I loved to books sooooo much as a teenager.
I would hate if they ruined the characters i have in my head. And Yes RCB was famously blond in the books.

Rivals 2 starts 15th May.

BUT only 3 episodes.

The next 7(?) follow later this year.

I didn’t think I’d like this at all but it’s absolutely great and the depiction of the 1980s is spot on.

I loved the books and read them in the 80s when I was in my 20s. I was wary of the adaptation but it really does the books justice, captures that fun and joy and doesn't take any of it seriously. Since season 1 I've been re-reading the books and I'm up to The Man Who made Husband's Jealous. My favourite is Polo and I read that season 2 overlaps a bit with Polo.
I'd never heard of Danny Dyer but he was genius casting, very sweet. Victoria Smurfit is another great part, really hamming it up as Maud.

@PuppyMonkey agree it really captures the spirit of the 80s

I’m looking forward to seeing if my namesake appears in series 2!

The First of May is a great day for this discussion!

I don't know the May 1st connection but I'm sure I will if I stick with it?

I'll watch episode 2 tomorrow as home alone then. Can't see dh liking it but you never know?

I hope the next 3 or so will be a few weeks later, it’s to get people to subscribe to more than 1 month of Disney plus - Netflix did it with Bridgerton .

As Disney plus is now free as part of the Sky package more people may be able to see this great show. The rivals: the official podcast is coming back too.

I got Disney just for Rivals, watched it and then cancelled. I'll be getting Disney again for Rivals 2, watching and cancelling again!

I think they will have to cover some of Polo - there was a massive clue dropped in the first series of Rivals (re name of a character).

I’ve read pretty much all of Jilly Cooper Books
and Riders Rival & Polo were my favourite teen books
I re read them every now and then

Rivals was fab to watch even my DH sat and binged it with me

I know, I know, but I stand by my statement. He looks like a bear in Rivals.

It's more in reference to Jilly Cooper as opposed to rivals:

As of May 1, 2026, Dame Jilly Cooper Day is celebrated to honor the late iconic author, famously quoting her phrase: "1st of May, 1st of May, outdoor f*ing starts today". 😁

Oh right 🤣 My nana would always say don't cast a clout til May is out. So I'd have to stay dressed for outdoor fucking.

Oh god me too! & @Nuttycoffee I was the same as you but honestly give it & him a chance

Oh no bollocks! Ah I'll just go back & catch up with the first series in between

I never expected DH to like it but he did - loved it. And so have other men. The man characters are men. Jilly loved a bloke as the main event!

I love this!!

My nana used to say "no sandals worn during any month with an 'r' " 😂not quite the same but she was the sane one so god knows what my crazy nana would have said?!

I really enjoyed the series but what I loved more is that it turned me back on to Jilly Cooper novels. I read Polo as a teenager but none of the others, I listen to the audio books which are all around 30 hours long, such great listens but Rivals is my favourite.

I really enjoyed the series but what I loved more is that it turned me back on to Jilly Cooper novels. I read Polo as a teenager but none of the others, I listen to the audio books which are all around 30 hours long, such great listens but Rivals is my favourite.

I’ve just read it’s 12 episodes.

Released in two batches of 6 episodes.

But 3 at a time!

So 3 on 15th May. Then another 3 sometime soon after.

And then I assume the next 6 a bit later this year.