Actor Katherine Parkinson praised the series Rivals for its depiction of sex from a woman's perspective during a preview screening on Friday [1].
Parkinson's comments highlight a perceived gap in television programming regarding how female desire and intimacy are portrayed. By championing the show's approach, she suggests that the industry has historically overlooked the female gaze in favor of traditional tropes.
Speaking at the event in Bristol, which served as the primary filming location for the series, Parkinson said, "There is not enough on television about the female perspective" [1]. She plays Lizzie Vereker, a romance author, in the production.
Parkinson said the show's treatment of intimacy is a "radical approach to sex, particularly from the perspective of its female characters" [2]. The series, which first debuted in 2024 [2], continues to explore these themes in its second season.
Beyond the thematic elements of the script, the actor spoke about her connection to the production's setting. Parkinson, who is 48 [3], said, "I’ve completely fallen in love with Bristol" [3].
The preview event allowed the cast and creators to engage with the local community in the city where much of the series was captured. The focus remained on the show's intent to challenge standard television norms regarding gender, and sexuality.
“"There is not enough on television about the female perspective."”
The emphasis on a 'female perspective' in Rivals reflects a broader trend in the television industry to move away from the male gaze. By centering the emotional and physical experiences of women, the series attempts to normalize female agency in intimacy, potentially influencing how future period dramas and romance series handle sexual content.
