A new drama led by David Tennant has a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and it looks to be a streaming success. Tennant will forever be known for his role as the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, a portrayal that has made the actor an absolute favorite among fans of the seminal sci-fi series. But in recent years, the veteran performer has added several other popular credits to his filmography.

He showed a more villainous side as Kilgrave in the Marvel show Jessica Jones, toggling the line between loathsome and compelling, while starring opposite Krysten Ritter. He's also a co-lead on Good Omens, which will wrap up with a 90-minute farewell, ending his run on Prime Video's popular supernatural series alongside Michael Sheen. But the BAFTA-nominated actor recently debuted a new starring role.

Rivals Is Tennant's Latest Hit

It Streams On Hulu

Rivals is already making an impression on the streaming charts. The series, which streams on Disney+ around the globe and Hulu in the U.S., took the tenth spot in the TV-centric Top 10 for the week of October 24 through to October 30, across all platforms. The television list was topped by another Hulu show, Only Murders in the Building season 4, followed by Marvel's Agatha All Along. Shows like The Penguin, Disclaimer, and High Potential also make the list.

Rivals focuses on the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986, giving a particular spotlight to the feud between ex-Olympian and notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and his neighbor Tony Baddingham (Tennant), who is the controller of Corinium Television. It is based on the novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper, which is part of the author's Rusthire Chronicles. The stories are known for their wit, backstabbing, and wild sex scenes. The first episode, in fact, opens with a memorable scene in an airplane restroom.

To bring the adaptation to life, the Rivals cast features several talented actors. Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, and Nafessa Williams star alongside Bella Maclean, Emily Atack, Catriona Chandler, Oliver Chris, Danny Dyer, Rufus Jones, Lisa McGrillis, Luke Pasqualino, Claire Rushbrook, and Victoria Smurfit. Behind the camera, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade helped write the script while the BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty is the lead director. All three are executive producers, as is the author, Cooper.

It boasts a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on more than 30 reviews, with a high breakdown of 7.7/10. The eight-episode series has drawn positive reviews, with Abigail Stevens' review of Rivals for Screen Rant praising Tennant's performance. The cast, in general, is a consistent source of praise, with reviews citing the adaptation's fast pace and enjoyable twisty turns as a reason audiences may want to consider checking out the new drama.

Our Take On Tennant's New Show

It Could Be Another Hit

While it's too early to say whether this momentum will carry into Rivals season 2, the period drama does seem like it's a continuation of Tennant's run of varied and diverse roles that slip from one genre to another while always showcasing his versatility and charisma on-screen. If the charting continues, perhaps there will be future installments of the series. In previous comments, the actors have all confirmed their eagerness to keep going.

That may also be facilitated by the cliffhanger ending, which makes some changes to the Rivals book. There is a proposal and some career moves that are, in fact, betrayals. Both of those could be expanded upon further if the Hulu show's early charting success proves to have staying power. But the big conclusion, which cries out for a follow-up, leaves the fate of a major character as an unanswered question.

In the Rivals finale, one character's fate is left uncertain. There's no confirmation, as yet, about whether the character survives. But considering that the Hulu drama is based on the notable source material and the cast's openness to return, the major impediment to a follow-up may be whether the 1980s-focused wild saga continues to make streaming strides. It's off to a strong start in any case, with good reviews and solid viewership for a TV vet like Tennant.

Source: Reelgood