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If you’ve been missing the jaw-dropping drama of Succession but secretly thought it needed more bare everything, then Hulu’s new series Rivals has you covered—literally and, well, not so much.
Based on Jilly Cooper’s oh-so-80s novel of the same name, Rivals dives headfirst into a world of sex, scandal, and some seriously risqué tennis matches.
But what really sets this British drama apart is how it’s unapologetically bold, brash, and gloriously gay.
Set against the backdrop of a fictional county in 1986, Rivals brings the frothy, high-stakes world of media moguls Rupert Campbell-Black (played by The Boys’ Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (LGBTQ+ legend David Tennant) to life.
These two are rivals in every sense, but it’s not just their professional battles that make this show addictive. Oh no, honey, this series isn’t shy about serving up secrets—especially in the realm of love.
One of the juiciest (and, let’s be real, most relevant to us) plotlines involves a clandestine gay romance that’s so layered it could double as a rainbow cake.
Enter Charles Fairburn (played by Outlander’s Gary Lamont), the out-and-proud director of programming at Corinium TV, and his secret lover, Gerald Middleton (Hubert Burton, known for The Inheritance).
Gerald, bless his conflicted heart, is an ambitious aide working for the deeply conservative MP Rupert Campbell-Black, making their romance the stuff of epic tension.
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While Charles might be comfortably out in both his personal and professional life, Gerald is fighting tooth and nail to keep his sexuality hidden, which—hello, it’s the ‘80s under Margaret Thatcher—adds even more layers to their already complicated relationship.
With the specter of AIDS looming and Thatcher’s policies keeping queer voices at bay, their romance becomes not just passionate but dangerous.
As the series creator Dominic Treadwell-Collins put it, Charles and Gerald’s story isn’t just a subplot; it’s a sweeping love story, reflective of the gay experience during a time when love was often shadowed by fear.
And girl, while the show has its serious moments, it’s not afraid to get campy with some sizzling scenes that’ll have you gasping for air.
Case in point: the now-infamous naked tennis match, featuring Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, showing off more than just his forehand.
Talk about balls flying all over the place! When asked about going full frontal for the scene, Hassell coyly admitted to Metro that, yes, that’s all him.
Let’s just say, between Rivals and Cooper Koch’s similar revelations on Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez, the era of prosthetics might just be over. Good for them, bad for our heart rates!
And if you’re wondering whether all this nudity and sex is just for shock value—Dominic Treadwell-Collins assures us it’s not. Every intimate moment drives the story forward, exploring the power dynamics and desires simmering beneath the surface.
Take, for example, the explosive end to episode one, where a montage of nearly the entire cast mid-climax sets the tone to Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough.”
You’ll be glad your neighbors can’t hear your inner monologue during that one.
But seriously, what Rivals does so well—besides giving us all a much-needed visual treat—is bring LGBTQ+ stories into the mainstream without feeling like an afterthought.
Charles and Gerald’s romance might be happening behind closed doors, but the show gives them the same weight, complexity, and messiness as any straight couple on screen.
Treadwell-Collins is right: These kinds of stories, played out on a major platform like Hulu, have the power to shift perspectives and make people care.
So, if you’re looking for a show that gives you everything from juicy, scandalous affairs to gay love stories that’ll have you cheering from the sidelines, Rivals is your new go-to.
And yes, it’ll have you thinking twice the next time you hit the tennis court—fully clothed, of course.
The entire first season of Rivals is now streaming on Hulu. Grab a cocktail, settle in, and prepare for all the drama.