Jilly Cooper's Rivals shows 'ruthless world' of TV in the 1980s
Aidan Turner portrays Declan O'Hara, a television host from the 1980s, in the film version of Rivals.
BBC News, Western England
A new eight-episode drama, inspired by one of Dame Jilly Cooper's popular "bonkbuster" novels and partially filmed in the West, is now available for streaming.
The film "Rivals," which came out in 1988, is being turned into a Disney+ series featuring a star-studded lineup that includes Aidan Turner and David Tennant.
Dame Jilly described her books as embodying "questionable ethics and tall barriers," as they frequently blend themes of sensuality and controversy.
Set in the picturesque Cotswolds and bustling London, with some scenes shot at the Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, the drama takes a deep dive into the cutthroat realm of independent television.
Dame Jilly took on the role of executive producer for the series.
Dame Jilly worked as an executive producer for the series, which was shot over a span of six months last year.
This was the inaugural series filmed on the two primary stages at the TBY2 facility of the Bottle Yard Studios, which is owned by the council and opened in 2022. This location is currently at the heart of protests concerning its potential sale.
Additional settings featured picturesque countryside views in the Cotswolds, as well as an episode filmed aboard the Concorde at Aerospace Bristol in Filton.
David Tennant portrays the self-centered Lord Tony Baddingham.
Gary Matsell, the Head of Production at ITV Studios, mentioned, "Film shoots like this depend on the skilled crew available in the area. Bristol offers a wealth of experienced and talented professionals, and collaborating with them was a great experience."
Most likely, around 90% of the participants were from the West of England. We had interns in all departments, the majority of whom were also from the area.
"To be honest, I didn’t have much influence at all," shared Dame Jilly, noting that her grandson Jago was part of the production as a runner. When she came to the set, most people recognized her as “Jago’s grandma.”
She proposed a few adjustments, however.
"I sometimes expressed my concerns by saying, 'I believe it's too soon for them to be jumping on each other in the story,' among other things," she mentioned.
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