This ‘80s-Set Hulu Show Has a 95 Percent on Rotten Tomatoes—and It’s as Addictive as It Is Sexy

A bit more about the premise: The show follows Declan O’Hara (played by Aidan Turner), an integrity-fueled, yet ego-centric TV host for a BBC-esque network in London. After being pushed to his limit on air, he accepts an offer from an up and coming TV station, Corinium, led by the pinstripe suit-wearing Tony Baddingham (played cunningly by David Tennant). Still, to embark on his new role, there’s a catch: Aidan has to relocate with his wife (who’s so over it, btw) and two daughters to the fictional town of Rutshire, which has an ‘80s-era vibe that’s opulent Hamptons meets Sloane Ranger. (Princess Diana is definitely idolized by this crew.)

But drama ensues after it becomes clear that Tony has an ulterior motive following his broadcasting coup of acquiring Declan—mainly, besting his nemesis (and the true heartthrob star of the series), Rupert Campbell-Black (played by Alex Hassell). You see, Campbell-Black is an Olympic-level show-jumper-turned-Margaret-Thatcher’s-minister-of-sport (it’s so over the top, it’s brilliant) who is mostly a bit of a cad. Love triangles abound for this dude—including a couple that impede upon the lives of both Tony and Declan’s lives. (That said, hold on for the plot twist in episode four of the eight-episode series—it’s so jaw-dropping, I found myself yelling my shock out loud at the TV.)

But that’s what makes this series so great—the campy (yet somehow scintillating) sexcapades are only bested by the juicy character arcs. Truly, the hero/villain statuses of nearly ever person in the cast (especially Rupert) are so beautifully carried out to the point where you’re super conflicted about whether you’re mad or head over heels for some of the characters and their budding romances. (I’d like to give a special shout-out to Freddie and Lizzie—played charmingly by Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson—and their “will they, won’t they” narrative.) But also, in the midst of scenes full of helicopter lawn landings and naked tennis, there are real moments that authentically nod to the flaws of the era (from misogyny to sexual exploitation) without ever watering it down.

Yet somehow, even with the shoulder pads and ridiculous gender politics, Rivals manages to make you feel nostalgic for the era—mainly, it’s the music and fashion, but also the pleasure-filled spontaneity and optimism. (If anything, it’s fun to escape to any fictional world where social gatherings, not social media, took priority.)

Bottom line: Rivals is smart and sexy and absolutely worth your time.