Where to watch Rivals season 1 online and from around the world

Lord Tony Baddingham standing in a field with a rifle cocked on his shoulder in Disney's Rivals TV show
(Image credit: Disney Plus/Hulu)

How to watch Rivals season 1

Watch Rivals season 1 as Jilly Cooper's steamy novel of lust, love and, well... rivalry gets adapted for TV. The show is sure to get everybody talking, so keep reading as we explain how to watch Rivals season 1 online from anywhere.

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Release date: Friday, October 18
US stream: Hulu 30-day FREE trial
International stream: Disney Plus (CA, UK, AU)
Use NordVPN to watch any stream

The story of Rivals revolves around the battle for superiority between conservative politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and TV owner Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant). A feud has been going on between their families for years, but things go to another level when they go into battle over the ownership of a TV station.

Largely set in the beauty of the Cotswolds, Rivals is full of sex, lies and '80s tunes. Classic Jilly Cooper. Might Campbell-Black actually be falling in love though? Alongside Tennant, there is a top cast including Danny Dyer and Lisa McGrillis, who plays love interest Taggie. Keep reading our guide on where to watch Rivals season 1 online and from anywhere.

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How to watch Rivals season 1 in the US

Hulu,

Rivals season 1 debuts on Hulu, with all episodes dropping on the same day.

There are a number of different Hulu plans and prices available. However, you don’t have to pay a dime if you’re a new member, as Hulu also provides first-time subscribers with a 30-day free trial. After this free trial elapses, plans begin from $7.99 a month. You can also opt to add Disney Plus and ESPN to your Hulu membership and save yourself money with the Disney Plus bundles.

Away from the US? Use a VPN to watch Rivals season 1 on Hulu when traveling outside the States.

How to watch Rivals season 1 from anywhere

How to watch Rivals season 1 online from anywhere

If you’re traveling abroad when Rivals season 1 airs, you’ll be unable to watch the show like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Luckily, there’s an easy solution.

Downloading a VPN will allow you to stream online, no matter where you are. It's a simple bit of software that changes your IP address, meaning that you can access on-demand content or live TV just as if you were at home.

Use a VPN to watch Rivals season 1 from anywhere.

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How to watch Rivalss season 1 online in UK, Canada, Australia and worldwide

Friday, October 18

All episodes of Rivals season 1 drop globally on Disney Pluson Friday, October 18.

Disney Plus doesn’t currently offer a free trial but you can take a look at Disney Plus prices and plans where you are.

American away from home? You can still connect to your usual VOD services by downloading a VPN and pointing your location back to the US.

Rivals season 1 trailer

Rivals | Official Trailer | Hulu - YouTube Rivals | Official Trailer | Hulu - YouTube
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Rivals season 1 release date

Rivals season 1 premieres on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus globally on Friday, October 18. All episodes land that day.

Rivals season 1 episode schedule

Episode 1: Friday, October 18

Episode 2: Friday, October 18

Episode 3: Friday, October 18

Episode 4: Friday, October 18

Episode 5: Friday, October 18

Episode 6: Friday, October 18

Episode 7: Friday, October 18

Episode 8: Friday, October 18

Who is in the cast of Rvials season 1?

Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black

David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham

Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara

Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara

Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara

Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O'Hara

Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook

Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker

Oliver Chris as James Vereker

Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones

Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones

Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham

Luke Pasqualino as Basil 'Bas' Baddingham

Louis Landau as Archie Baddingham

Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton

Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton

Lara Peake as Daysee Butler

Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson

Maggie Steed as Lady Gosling

David Calder as Fergus Penney

Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton

Luke S Roberts as Unnamed Character

Guy Siner as Bishop Brenton

Brendan Patricks as Henry Hampshire

Rich Keeble as Brian Hetherington

What can we expect from Rivals season 1

An official synopsis from Hulu reads: "Set against the backdrop of power-grabbing social elites, "Rivals" dives headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986, where hair-dos are big and ambitions are even bigger. Deals are brokered in boardrooms, as well as bedrooms. Nobody can be sure who will come out on top. With every man and woman out only for themselves, can true love really blossom?"

Is Rivals season 1 based on a book?

Rivals is based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper. It was of a host of best-selling raunchy novels by Dame Jilly, and the second of the second of the Rutshire Chronicles.

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Charlotte Henry
Contributor

Charlotte Henry is a journalist who has covered all things tech and media for a number of years for various publications. She reported in-depth as tech companies became media companies and vice versa. In her newsletter, The Addition, she focuses on the ever-changing streaming ecosystem as the likes of Netflix, Apple TV+ and Disney+ fight for supremacy. Charlotte is also a close follower of sport (she’s a Spurs fan…) watching everything from Premier League football to Major League Baseball. Charlotte’s first book “Not Buying It: The Facts Behind Fake News” was published in 2019. Away from work, she can often be found at heavy metal concerts and festivals.

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