David Tennant and the Rivals cast on bringing Jilly Cooper’s bonkbuster to screen
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It kicks off with a groan. In the first moments of "Rivals," the Disney+ version of Jilly Cooper's popular novel, sultry moans mingle with an upbeat orchestral soundtrack, leading us to a view of the bare backside of Rupert Campbell-Black, a charming Tory MP. He’s in the loo of a Concorde, having a fling with a journalist. After he finishes, he confidently walks back to his seat—complete with his shiny aviator sunglasses—while the women on board nearly swoon at his presence.
I should probably clarify: the wild antics unfold in all kinds of places in Rivals. They take place in storage closets of TV studios, on office desks, and even on ornate four-poster beds in grand estates. Would it spoil anything if I mentioned that there’s also naked tennis? It’s an overwhelming experience for the senses—though it’s all set in the captivating Cooper universe: a 1980s portrayal of the upper-class Tory lifestyle in the Cotswolds, where extravagance is the norm. This backdrop has both captivated and entertained Cooper's fans for over thirty years through her twelve books in the Rutshire Chronicles, which include playfully titled works like Riders, Tackle!, Mount!, and Score!
At the heart of this steamy showcase is Rupert, a former jockey now serving as the Conservative sports minister, portrayed by the handsome actor Alex Hassell. In Cooper's novels, the charming horse rider is labeled as "Britain's sexiest man," which certainly sets high expectations. To help Hassell lean into his heartthrob image, showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins devised a strategy. He instructed the crew to react to Hassell's entrance in a way that would mimic the awe people feel for a mega-celebrity like Harry Styles.
"That's definitely not how I live every day," laughs Hassell during our conversation at a hotel in Soho. "There was definitely an element of wish fulfillment to it. It was an amazing lifestyle." He expresses his disappointment that this facade has come to an end. "My wife gets a little star-struck when I enter a room, but that's about the extent of it," he says, feigning sadness. At that moment, his co-star David Tennant, who portrays the scheming head of a TV studio named Lord Tony Baddingham, jumps in to comfort him. "Come on, we all think you're amazing!"
A lot of charm and persuasion were involved in bringing all this romance to life on television. Treadwell-Collins, much like Rishi Sunak, has been a fan of Cooper since his teenage years. Over the last decade, he wrote numerous love letters to her, expressing his admiration for "Rivals" and his desire to secure the adaptation rights. After years of communicating through her agent, Cooper finally agreed. “I was informed that Jilly wanted to grant you the rights and mentioned that since your letter was so beautifully written, you should also write the script,” a cheerful Treadwell-Collins shares with me. At that time, he was busy with projects like "EastEnders." “While I was also navigating the adoption process with my husband and had a lot on my plate, I continually found myself returning to the script.”
When Treadwell-Collins started reaching out to potential TV studios, he encountered a dismissive attitude from executives—predominantly men, but some women too—who held biased views about Cooper's writing without having read any of it. The director recounts, “Everyone would say, ‘Jilly Cooper? Oh, that’s a bit silly.’ But it’s not silly at all! She’s a fantastic storyteller. At the core of her work is a complex love story. She explores themes of British identity, class, and our interpersonal dynamics.” He recalls noticing the book Rivals on his mother’s shelf when he was younger, aware of its risqué nature (the provocative covers of Cooper’s books were obvious). “Some people dismissed Jilly’s writing as trivial, while others saw it as edgy and alluring,” he reflects. “I was determined to adapt it for television.”
Did the actors share the same perspective on Cooper's work? Tennant acknowledges that he initially formed opinions about the books, which changed once he read them himself. “As a teenager in Paisley during the Eighties, I didn't think I was the intended audience,” the Scottish actor reflects. “I had jumped to conclusions that were a bit unfair regarding the depth and cleverness of the stories.” He points out that the mere existence of a new adaptation over 30 years later highlights the brilliance of Cooper's writing. “It might not be the first thing people notice, but these books truly have staying power.”
Before Tennant knew it, he found himself covered in fake tan, his hair styled to perfection, and a cigar held firmly in his mouth, all while portraying the larger-than-life character Tony. When he first caught a glimpse of his hairdo, he thought he resembled the sophisticated French actor Louis Jourdan. “Well, I actually liked that initial impression,” he reflects. “But a few days later, I came across a photo of myself and realized I looked more like Terry Wogan. Both are great references for me.” To get into the role, he also delved into the biography of TV legend Michael Grade, noting, “He became a visual reference for me, especially with his suspenders and big cigars.”
As we’ve noted, the characters in Rivals are extremely wealthy and refined. When they’re not engaging in their escapades, they spend their time wandering around expansive estates, purchasing horses and football teams, and occasionally taking calls from Margaret Thatcher. It's an interesting twist, especially considering that Thatcher's views on sexuality and promiscuity sharply contrast with the lavish lifestyle depicted in the show. Tennant playfully suggests, “Are you implying there was some level of hypocrisy in the government?” He adds, “That’s not how I remember the Eighties. But I do recall it being an era of extravagance… where money was spent in a way that was almost offensively ostentatious.”
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Hassell shares a similar viewpoint, highlighting that the wealthy elite are still held to different standards – the kind that makes his character feel invincible. "Rupert manages to evade consequences for some truly awful actions simply because he possesses wealth and advantages. The super-rich operate under their own set of rules... it's the perfect moment for this series to debut."
One character who ends up in a fierce competition with Rupert is Declan O’Hara, a talk show host portrayed by Aidan Turner from Poldark. He realizes that both his wife, Maud (Victoria Smurfit), and his daughter, Taggie (Bella Maclean), like every other woman in the show, have a soft spot for the sports minister. Turner believes the high-society environment depicted in the show is solely based on transactions. “They’re either trying to hide their social status, assert it, or break free from it. The same applies to sex, which serves a purpose for many characters, even if it’s simply for pleasure,” he explains. Declan, who hails from Ireland, appears somewhat detached from the class structures that surround him. “Declan has no faith in the British class system,” he observes. “He finds it strange and is skeptical of British politics in general, which I think resonates with many Irish people.”
Understanding the class system was quite a learning experience for Nafessa Williams, the sole American in the cast. She portrays Cameron Cooke, a tough TV executive who has traveled from New York to Corinium to work alongside Tony. The distinctly British elements in Cooper’s books left Williams with plenty of questions for her fellow cast members. “Someone mentioned going to the loo, and I was totally confused… like, should I come with you? Should I stay? What does that even mean?” she shares, speaking in her Philly accent. Thankfully, the cast had a WhatsApp group where she could express her confusion. “I remember sending a message to the group... What in the world is Boots? I only eat fish; where can I find it?” she laughs. “Didn’t I hear you ask one day, who the heck are the Tories?” Turner pipes in. She nods in agreement. “Yeah, I had no idea who that was!”
I can’t really describe what took place at Jilly Cooper’s party.
Speaking of the Tories: during the filming, our former Prime Minister revealed that he was a fan of Cooper's provocative 1985 novel, Riders. This revelation set off a whirlwind on the internet, with many imagining Sunak cozying up with a warm cup of cocoa while enjoying the steamy scenes between Rupert and Taggie. The comment also created quite a stir among the cast and crew. “Jilly has a lot of admirers,” chuckled Treadwell-Collins, reminiscing about that day. “No matter what your political beliefs are, when someone expresses their appreciation for Jilly’s books, it makes people think you’re somewhat of a populist. That’s the takeaway we got from it.”
The cast spent many days on set sharing hearty laughter, according to the actors. They formed such a strong bond that Cooper invited them to a party at her place – in true Rutshire fashion. When I attempt to uncover the details about what happens at a Cooper gathering, Hassell keeps it vague. “I can’t possibly reveal what went down,” he quips. “We did get a glimpse of the cabin under a tree in her garden where she wrote Rivals. It overlooks a valley where she envisioned Declan’s house would have been.” Everything seems quite delightful. Is he just being mysterious?
He relents. "There were puff pastries and plenty of champagne..." Of course, it’s Jilly Cooper we’re talking about. One wouldn’t anticipate anything less.
"Rivals" will debut on October 18, only on Disney+.
