David Tennant’s new Disney series debuts with solid Rotten Tomatoes score

The Rotten Tomatoes score has been revealed for the series rivals. rivals is a new Disney+ show based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper about a rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Schwartz (Alex Hassell) and Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) that is set in 1986 and centers on the Corinium television station in The fictional Rutshire County in England. The show, which was written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade and directed by Elliot Hegarty, has a supporting cast that also includes Aidan Turner, Claire Rushbrook, Katherine Parkinson, Luke Pasqualino, Lisa McGrillis, Victoria Smurfit and Bryony Hannah.

Rotten tomatoes Has now collected an official score for rivals. Although it may fluctuate as more reviews are added, at the time of writing, The series has a recent 86% score from critics on the Tomatometer. The score is tabulated from seven different critics’ reviews and is a total of 26% above the 60% threshold past which a title can be considered fresh. If it maintains this score at the time it has 20 reviews, of which five are from top critics, it will be officially certified fresh by the review aggregator platform.

What this Rotten Tomatoes score means for rivals

Rivals may succeed on Disney+

From those who reviewed rivals So far, the praise comes largely from how the show weaves in its key themes. Colliders Jeff Ewing wrote that “The ride is charming enough, making Rivals a love letter to luxury and its dangers worth tuning in to.” London Evening Standards Nick Curtis added that “Rivals is gloriously trashy and sly, the epitome of guilty-pleasure TV.” So, the consensus seems to be that while rivals Far from a perfect show, it is thoroughly entertaining.

rivalsEarly Rotten Tomatoes’ score success bodes well for the show’s performance on Disney+. It still has over a week until it debuts its first episode, like this one Series premiere on October 18. As a result, rivals will be able to gain early buzz, which could help the show succeed in season 1. Between the initially high Rotten Tomatoes score and the draw of Doctor Who Elm Tennant, rivals He had a lot of things going for him.

How Rivals compares to other non-franchise Disney+ dramas

The show stands strong among well-received series

rivals is in a unique position as a non-franchise series on Disney+. Although it is not technically an “original” series as it is a literary adaptation, It does not come from a pre-existing movie or TV IP. This is somewhat unusual for the platform, which prioritizes franchise series, especially those in the Star Wars saga and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along with reboots such as Turner & Hooch And Doogie Kameāloha, MDThe last of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ was a remake of the classic Neil Patrick Harris series Doogie Howser, MDSet in Hawaii.

however, Disney+ has released its fair share of original dramas or non-franchise adaptations Since its launch in 2019. This includes adaptation of children’s book The mysterious Benedict SocietyThe original 18th century fantasy adventure tale Renegade NellAnd the sports drama The crossover. Below, see how the Rotten Tomatoes score for rivals Compares to the other recent Disney+ original dramas:

In general, the original dramas have been well-received, with rivals With his 86% score for second place. While The crossover Has not received enough reviews to earn an official score on the platform, all four of the existing reviews are positive, which effectively gives it a 100% score, although it is not statistically significant. While none of these series have achieved the same level of prominence as the streamer’s IP projects, the new series could turn things around.

Our take on the rivals Rotten Tomatoes score

Tennant has a good TV streak

I can appreciate Tennant in many roles, but it’s great to see the actor succeed in yet another TV show. Tennant’s career in television has been extremely positive so far, with Almost all of his works receive glowing ratings. In fact, of the more than two dozen TV titles of his that have received scores on Rotten Tomatoes, only one — 2018’s Camping (28%) – received a bad score. Below, see how the score for rivals Compare to his other recent TV work:

Of his best-known recent TV projects, all of which have earned fresh scores from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, rivals is tied for fourth place with the well-known franchise spinoff Star Wars: Ahsoka and the biblical fantasy adaptation Good omens. As it portrays a deep and at times bitter rivalry, I think the new show will be A great opportunity for Tennant to shine in a more strictly dramatic role. The early reviews make it promising that Tennant has succeeded again rivals.

Source: Rotten tomatoes, Collider& London Evening Standard