What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedRivals
Series · 2024
If you loved Rivals, start with Blood Ties (Guillaume Canet, 2013) — a film from the same story. Below: 3 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Rivals across media.
If Rivals hooked you, it is because you crave the delicious tension found when professional ambition collides with messy, high-stakes personal betrayal.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Blood Ties
Guillaume Canet · Film · 2013
Books on the same thread
Unscripted
James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams · Book
Explores: power dynamics, corporate greed, dynastic succession.
If you enjoyed the corporate power plays in Rivals, you will be fascinated by the real-world dynastic succession and ruthless greed documented within this account of a media empire.
Capote's Women
Laurence Leamer · Book
Shares a thread with Rivals: Betrayal.
Much like the social maneuvering in Rivals, this account of literary scandal proves that the most devastating betrayals often happen within the inner circles of the elite and wealthy.
High Stakes
Danielle Steel · Book
Explores: office politics, hidden agendas, professional ambition.
This tale of office politics and hidden agendas mirrors the cutthroat professional environment of Rivals, where every ambitious character is desperate to keep their secrets buried from their peers.
Films on the same thread
Challengers
Luca Guadagnino · Film · 2024
Shares 2 threads with Rivals: Ambition, Betrayal.
If the volatile mix of love and competition in Rivals kept you watching, you will thrive on the intense psychological rivalry and shifting power dynamics between these three tennis figures.
Amadeus
Film · 1984
Shares a thread with Rivals: Period Drama.
The consuming jealousy that defines this period drama echoes the bitter rivalries seen throughout Rivals, showing how personal obsession can dismantle even the most brilliant careers and fragile lives.
The Favourite
Yorgos Lanthimos · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with Rivals: Period Drama.
This historical drama captures the same sharp, biting power struggles as Rivals, focusing on the ruthless lengths two women will go to secure their status as the ultimate favorite.
The Brutalist
Brady Corbet · Film · 2024
Explores: Post-War Trauma, The American Dream, Artistic Vision vs. Reality.
This story of artistic vision colliding with demanding patronage offers the same high-stakes conflict found in Rivals, highlighting how personal integrity often crumbles under the weight of immense ambition.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Shares a thread with Rivals: soap opera.
Those who found comfort in the serialized, character-driven soap opera format of Rivals will appreciate the long-running, complex web of relationships and rural drama found in this classic podcast.
Faithful to... Podcasts
Podcast · 2025
Explores: reality television analysis, game show strategy, travel competition.
If you spent Rivals analyzing the social strategy of every character, this podcast provides the perfect deep dive into the manipulation and game show tactics that drive modern television competition.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Rivals set in the modern day?
No, Rivals is set in 1986. The show depicts a booming Britain where the television industry is defined by cutthroat competition, high stakes in boardrooms, and complex personal relationships where individuals prioritize their own ambitions over others.
What is the premise of Rivals?
Rivals follows the cutthroat world of 1986 British television. The plot centers on ambitious characters making deals in boardrooms and bedrooms, leaving viewers to wonder who will emerge successful and whether it is possible for true love to blossom in such a self-serving environment.
How does the tone of Rivals compare to Blood Ties?
Rivals focuses on the high-stakes, competitive atmosphere of the 1986 British television industry where personal ambition drives every decision. While both titles deal with complex character dynamics, Rivals specifically explores the intersection of professional maneuvering and romantic pursuit within that unique historical television setting.
Are there other adaptations like Rivals?
If you enjoyed the themes of intense personal and professional conflict found in Rivals, you may want to look at Blood Ties. Both projects feature characters navigating complex environments where personal gain is a primary motivator, though they exist in different narrative contexts and settings.