Hulu has officially ordered a third season of its period drama Rivals, making the decision before the current storyline has finished airing. The series explores the high-stakes world of the 1980s entertainment industry and is based on the works of Jilly Cooper.
A Third-Season Greenlight Before the Second Season Ends
The decision by Hulu to renew Rivals so aggressively is a testament to the show's immediate critical and commercial successs. According to the report, the series currently holds a 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and has already secured an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in 2025. This rapid trajectory is unusual in the current streaming climate , where renewals are typically contingent on the completion of a full season's data analysis.
The series distinguishes itself from the typical "gentle soaps" or nineteenth-century period pieces by focusing on the gritty, raw edges of the 1980s. As the source reported, the narrative centers on the cutthroat turf wars between rival production houses, emphasizing the ambition and ruthlessness required to succeed in a world that rewards victory at any cost.
Ten Rutshire Chronicles Novels Provide a Deep Content Well
The longevity of Rivals is supported by a massive amount of source material. The show is a modern re-imagining of Jilly Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles, a collection of over ten novels. This extensive library allows Hulu to build a sweeping narrative that blends family dynamics, business politics, and complex romances without the risk of running out of plot points too quickly.
This strategy echoes a broader trend in prestige television where streamers seek "franchise-ready" literary adaptations. by anchoring the seriees in the fictional county of Rutshire, Hulu has created a self-contained world where the battle for a regional network TV franchise can evolve over several seasons, mirroring the way other successful adaptations have mined multi-book series for long-term stability.
David Tennant's Lord Baddingham and the Battle for Rutshire
The chemistry of the ensemble cast is a primary driver of the show's appeal. David Tennant portrays the villainous Lord Baddingham, whose vendettas serve as the central engine for the plot. Tennant is countered by Alex Hassell, who plays the defiant Rupert. The tension between these two characters sets a high-energy tone that elevates the series from a simple satire to a gripping drama.
The supporting cast further fleshes out the social hierarchy of Rutshire. Actors such as Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer, Nafessa Williams, Katherine Parkinson,and Victoria Smurfit portray a community that feels like a "fully welded society." These characters represent the various factions vying for control of the television landscape,ensuring that the drama remains grounded in human messniess and emotional growth despite the absurdities of the 1980s setting.
Which of the Remaining Rutshire Novels Will Hulu Adapt Next?
While the renewal is confirmed, several specifics regarding the future of the series remain unclear. The source mentions that the adaptation came at a "significant cost" to Hulu, but it does not disclose the exact budget or the financial metrics that triggered the early renewal. Furthermore, it remains unknown which of the ten-plus Rutshire Chronicles novels will be the primary focus of the third season.
There is also a lack of clarity regarding the production timeline. While the third season is green-lit, Hulu has not yet released a filming schedule or a premiere date, leaving viewers to wonder how quickly the production can pivot from the current storyline to the next chapter of the Rutshire saga.
Comments 0