The series chronicles the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986 and the long-running rivalry between ex-Olympian, MP and notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and his neighbor Tony Baddingham (Tennant), controller of Corinium Television.
Poldark's Turner is television presenter Declan O'Hara, a fierce intellectual with an even fiercer temperament who is lured from the BBC to Corinium. EastEnders actor Dyer stars as Freddie Jones, a self-made electro-millionaire.
The wider ensemble includes Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Claire Rushbrook, Oliver Chris, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atack, Rufus Jones, Luke Pasqualino and Catriona Chandler.
Lee Mason, Disney's director of scripted content in Europe, announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival that the eight-part series will premiere in the UK on Friday, October 18. Rivals is streaming in the US on Hulu and internationally on Disney+.
Rivals is produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins' company Happy Prince and Treadwell-Collins is also executive producer and writer with Laura Wade. Alexander Lamb is also executive producer.
Lead director is Elliot Hegarty, who is also executive producer for episodes one through three. Eliza Mellor is a series producer.
In addition to Treadwell-Collins and Wade, the writing group includes Sophie Goodhart, Marek Horn, Mimi Hare and Clare Naylor, Dare Aiyegbayo, Kefi Chadwick, Tray Agyeman and Sorcha Kurien Walsh. Dee Koppang O'Leary and Alexandra Brodski also direct episodes.
