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'Masterpiece' period drama better than Rivals as season two drops
Reach Daily Express | May 13, 2026 8:40 PM CST

Rivals fans have discovered another period drama that is even better than the Disney+ series - and it's also available to watch on the streaming site. The British comedy drama series, adapted from Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel, follows MP Rupert Campbell-Black and the nouveau riche Tony Baddingham throughout the highs and lows of their rivalry.

The series delves into how said rivalry affects the independent TV station run by Baddingham, along with his developing affair with his co-star. It stars David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell and Katherine Parkinson, along with Danny Dyer and Emily Atack.

But there's another series that's "just as good", if not better than Rivals - and it's also streaming on Disney+. Fans on Reddit who loved the first series were pining for something similar to binge-watch, with one writing of Rivals: "If you are looking for a new drama/comedy series with heart that's a bit raunchy AND has epic 80s music - this is the one!"

Somebody else offered a recommendation: "A British, 80s-set series that for some reason had me thinking about Mad Men! Not sure why."

Another echoed: "I completely agree! I was thinking the same while watching. Something to do with the repressive yet barely behind-closed-doors madness coupled with the everyday comings and goings of an office job.

"Also the inspirational 'pitches and speeches' aspect which crops up within Declan's interviews and at the end. Also a period piece even though it's from 20 years earlier than the 80s.

"Mad Men has also done dark-yet-realistically subdued and socially revealing plotlines like the one with the reverend, albeit slightly more grounded, where Rivals is otherwise more like a modern Dallas (which I think the show references in the first episode?)"

Someone else said: "Mad Men is much less explicit than Rivals, though there is plenty of sex. Also less campy. Otherwise thematically similar!"

On IMDb, Mad Men has an average star rating of 8.7 out of 10, while Rivals falls slightly behind with 7.9 stars.


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