Rutshire’s golden age: why Rivals offers a rare escape from modern Britain’s divisions

As the second series of the Jilly Cooper adaptation reaches its climax, Jess Cartner-Morley, associate editor (fashion) at The Guardian, has published a review describing the programme as a life-affirming and hysterically funny counterpoint to the typically bleak nature of modern prestige television. Published on 5 June 2026, the review coincides with the season’s dramatic peak, framing the show as a necessary indulgence in an era defined by stressful viewing experiences.

Cartner-Morley contrasts the series with recent high-profile dramas such as Adolescence, Baby Reindeer, The Bear and The Pitt, which she describes as harrowing or tense. In comparison, the setting of Rutshire offers a nostalgic retreat to the 1980s, populated by hard-drinking television executives, Silk Cut cigarettes, Austin Metros and Nena’s 99 Red Balloons. The review highlights an absence of modern wellness culture, presenting a world where a dented biscuit tin and electric blue mascara suffice as markers of style.

The review praises the ensemble cast for bringing Cooper’s characters to life with distinct flair. David Tennant is noted for his vindictive portrayal of the villainous Lord Baddingham, while Nafessa Williams is described as a bewitching American executive named Cameron. Gary Lamont provides tenderness as Charles Fairburn, and Danny Dyer plays the bashful Freddie, whose romantic storyline is highlighted as a standout moment in the series.

A specific scene involving Freddie and his lover Lizzie is singled out for its emotional resonance, with the review comparing the swimming pool sequence to the iconic fish tank scene in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. The article notes that sex in the series is depicted as a source of mutual enjoyment rather than stress or trauma, distinguishing it from the sensationalised portrayals found in other contemporary dramas.

Cartner-Morley frames the show’s success as part of a late-life renaissance for Jilly Cooper, who passed away in 2025. The review lists a diverse group of the author’s admirers, including Queen Camilla, Joanna Lumley, Ian Rankin and Tony Adams. The series presents a version of Britain where class divisions are less severe than in reality, offering viewers an escape from contemporary inequalities.

In Rutshire, the brutal divisions of modern life are portrayed as disappearing in a puff of cigar smoke. The review suggests that while wealth disparity has grown in the real world, the fictional setting allows audiences to indulge in a far, far better place, one where posh people are ridiculous and inequality is a distant memory.

The article concludes that the series reminds viewers that quality television does not always have to be grim. By focusing on professional rivalries and personal dramas with a sense of fun, Rivals offers a golden age of viewing that prioritises enjoyment and human connection over the stress that often defines current cultural narratives.