Rivals S2
Friday, streaming on Disney Plus
What do Heated Rivalry fans, astrology girlies and biohackers have in common? You won’t need to ask — they’ll tell you.
Bad jokes aside, if the inescapable fandom for series like the Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams-fronted steamy slow-burn, period drama Bridgerton and the adaption of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals is anything to go by, viewers are yearning for shows packed with sex, scandal and suspense.
Rivals arrived with a bang, literally, when it dropped in October 2024, all clandestine affairs, lustful looks, full-frontal nakedness and a lot of good old-fashioned sex.
And it arrived at the height of the “smut” era of literature, with romantasy novels — dragon or fairy smut for the unacquainted — Fourth Wing and A Court Of Wings And Ruin (ACOTAR) having a viral moment.
While I never quite got into that book craze — the chemistry didn’t grab me and I found out spicy dragon scenes aren’t my jam — I devoured Rivals.
Set against the war between two rival TV broadcasters, it followed the cluster of characters as they danced through glamorous parties in shoulder pads and big hair to an excellent soundtrack.
I felt the longing between Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) and Freddie (Danny Dyer), barracked for Maud (Victoria Smurfit) and Declan (Aidan Turner), and somehow even overlooked the age gap between Taggie (Bella Maclean) and Rupert (Alex Hassell).
The bonkbuster is set to pick up where it left off, the trailer revealing — between underwear thrown onto faces and men riding on horses in slow motion — Tony survived Cameron’s whack over the head, the station rivalry continues and the will-they-won’t-they romances continue to blossom.
Real Housewives Of Rhode Island
Monday, streaming on Hayu
Bravo fans, don’t sleep on this new iteration of Housewives; they’re some of the most interesting women we’ve seen in the franchise since Salt Lake City (though shout-out to Rachel Zoe for making this season of RHOBH somewhat watchable).
Dropping weekly, we’ve already had polyamory and affair allegations, unforgettable one-liners (“I hit her with my car”) and displays of extravagant wealth. Who knew there was so much money in (legal) cannabis dispensaries, or boyfriends you spend only half the year with?
What it has that other franchises don’t have is connection — the women are (mostly) all long-time friends, so their dramas don’t feel self-edited or constructed to ensure they get a contract for the next season.
Marty Supreme
Friday, streaming on Stan
It might be too soon for ballerinas and opera singers, but the Timothee Chalamet-fronted film is finally hitting a streamer. Despite it flopping awards season, it is genuinely very watchable and Chalamet is excellent.
Should I Marry A Murderer?
Streaming now on Netflix
Obviously no, right? This was the question “fiancee turned key witness” Caroline Muirhead (who also happens to be a forensic pathologist) had to ask herself when her partner confessed to a crime he’d kept hidden for years. Fascinating stuff.
On The Roam
Thursday, streaming on Max
Jason Momoa is the latest Hollywood heartthrob to jump on a motorbike to connect with people in the big wide world who inspire him. Gorgeous cinematography, gorgeous message and gorgeous man — you can’t go wrong.
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