Disney+’s highly anticipated adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s racy novel Rivals has finally arrived – and fans have wasted no time getting stuck into the star-studded, glossy series.

Set in the cutthroat world of 1980s independent television, the drama follows the rivalry between notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and TV boss Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant).

It’s safe to say that the first episodes have gone down a storm with enthusiastic viewers, who have taken to social media to praise the fun show.

One person wrote: “Watched episode one of #Rivals with the biggest grin on my face. Perfection. The leads get a lot of attention, but the female cast is packed with gems: Victoria Smurfit, Katherine Parkinson, Lisa McGrillis, Nafessa Williams, Claire Rushbrook, Maggie Steed. Beautiful,” while another said: “#Rivals everything I expected and more! 80s hair, music and debauchery! I love it!”

© Robert Viglasky

A third fan commented: “So I started watching #Rivals and what can I say? It’s phenomenal! TThe actors, the soundtrack, the locations: everything is perfect!“

Other viewers compared the series to Jilly’s celebrated novel, with one person writing: “#Rivals is brilliant! It’s exactly how I imagined it when I read the book many years ago,” while another added: “I love #Rivals on #DisneyPlus, so I’m glad it didn’t disappoint me because it’s my favorite book ever (and no, I’m not ashamed to admit it).”

© Robert Viglasky

For those who haven’t yet watched the series, it’s set in the fictional county of Rutshire, where journalist Declan O’Hara has moved with his family after taking up a new job at Corinium Television, headed by Lord Baddingham. Meanwhile, local MP and recently divorced Rupert Campbell-Black, who is feuding with the power-hungry TV boss, happens to be the O’Hara’s new neighbor.

The official synopsis reads: “Set against the backdrop of the drama, excesses and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals plunges headlong into the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986.”

© Robert Viglasky

Emily Atack, who plays Sarah Stratton, the ambitious wife of the deputy prime minister, shared HELLO! that the cast had “such a ball” while filming the show. “It’s the best work I’ve ever doneshe said. “I felt so lucky to be there and be a part of it. As fun and raw as it was, we took our roles very seriously. Jilly Cooper was on set the whole time making sure everything went well and she was very happy. When you feel like you’re doing justice to a character, it’s a great feeling.”

© Disney+

Meanwhile, Claire Rushbrook, who plays aristocrat Lady Monica Baddingham, added: “We had a real giggle. They are the best actors around, with the best script, working with a brilliant crew and a budget that you can actually see on screen. So the wind is behind you when it comes to wanting to be happy with it. It might sound like we were just a bunch of giddy people laughing, but I think it’s important to say that we were able to celebrate each other because. we knew we were riding the wave of such an incredible quality performance.”

Rivals is available to stream on Disney+.