Rivals, starring David Tennant, has finally confirmed its release date – with all eight episodes launching on Friday, October 18, exclusively on streaming service Disney Plus.
An adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's best-selling novel, Rivals is set against the backdrop of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England – the ruthless world of independent television in the '80s, to be exact.
Tennant takes on the role of Lord Tony Baddingham, with the billing also including Alex Hassell (who plays ex-Olympian, controller of Corinium Television and Member of Parliament Rupert Campbell-Black) and Aidan Turner (as moustachioed TV presenter Declan O'Hara).
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Also joining the stacked cast list is Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning), Katherine Parkinson (Humans, Doc Martin), Bella Maclean (Sex Education), Emily Atack (The Inbetweeners), Danny Dyer (EastEnders), Lisa McGrillis (ITV's Maternal) and Luke Pasqualino (BBC One's Our Girl).
We've previously been given our first official looks at some of the cast in-character, including Poldark star Aidan Turner's transformation as well as Doctor Who's David Tennant in what appeared to be a countryside-inspired ensemble.
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Set photos also gave us our very first glimpse at Danny Dyer, who certainly looked different than we're used to seeing him, as well as Emily Atack who underwent a glamorous '80s makeover.
Cooper previously said she was "utterly enchanted" by the cast news for the TV adaptation of her Rutshire Chronicles novel.
"Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn't have dreamed of a better ensemble cast," she added.
Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (A Very English Scandal and EastEnders), Alexander Lamb (Ackley Bridge, The Bay), Felicity Blunt, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade and the author, Dame Jilly Cooper.
BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty (Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso and Trying) acts as the lead director.
Rivals is coming to Disney+ on October 18.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
