Video exclusive: on set with the cast of 'Rivals'
The series kicks off with a bold scene that perfectly captures its vibe. Right from the start, we’re shown a man in the nude passionately being intimate with a woman in eye-catching red heels in the restroom of a Concorde flight. Just as they reach the peak of their encounter, the plane accelerates to supersonic speeds, a champagne bottle bursts open, and the other passengers break into applause. This is exactly the kind of wild romp you’d expect from Jilly Cooper. Consider yourself forewarned!
Before the series premiere, Harper's Bazaar brought together several cast members of the highly anticipated Disney+ show, all of whom are excited for viewers to experience their “bold, playful, and alluring” production.
Alex Hassell steps into the role of Rupert Campbell-Black, the show's charming and confident anti-hero who is often found in the nude. Unlike the character, who openly enjoys and brags about his indulgent lifestyle, Hassell maintains a more reserved demeanor. "I haven’t really experienced any true rivalries in real life," he reflects. "That's just not who I am. However, I can’t help but think that there’s an imagined version of myself who is more successful, more talented, and more attractive. The idea of this idealized self inspires me to strive for that level of ease and confidence."
If he weren’t portraying the charming rogue obsessed with horseback riding, Hassell thinks he would excel in the role of Maud O’Hara, the resilient wife of television personality Declan O’Hara (played by Aidan Turner). Victoria Smurfit delivers an outstanding performance as Maud. “She’s absolutely amazing and speaks her mind freely,” he notes. “Plus, she even rides a camel at one point, so really, who wouldn’t want to do that?”
Catriona Chandler, who portrays Caitlin O'Hara, Maud's daughter, would prefer to take on the role of Cameron Cook. Cameron is a strikingly talented American TV executive who navigates the romantic pursuits of two influential men. "She's navigating a male-dominated environment," Chandler explains. "Her ambition and intensity are impressive, and her wardrobe is stunning."
Nafessa Williams, who portrays Cameron, acknowledges that the role of the TV executive was highly sought after. "I really enjoy my character," she laughs. "She has so many different facets—she's quite commanding and definitely the most attractive character I've taken on yet, which makes it exciting and a bit rebellious."
"I admire that she's not the typical 'good girl'; I appreciate how she navigates the game just as skillfully, if not more so, than the guys."
Characters like Cook contribute significantly to the charm of Cooper's body of work. Although the series primarily focuses on Rupert's adventures, the female characters are also well-developed and interesting.
Cooper's willingness to confront and explore topics that were often seen as off-limits is quite groundbreaking for Chandler. She mentions, "Many women have approached me, sharing how they secretly read those stories at night, hidden under the covers, because they dealt with intense subjects like sex and power. But what Jilly excels at is transforming these serious themes into something enjoyable and playful. While there's certainly a lot of depth to it, it's also entertaining, which requires bravery—especially for a woman writer in the 1980s, when such subjects were rarely written about."
Having been a fan of Cooper for many years, Smurfit shares this sentiment. "I've been a fan since my teenage years and still enjoy her work now. In her books, you quickly get a sense of the characters; you can tell they're bound to face challenges, experience setbacks, and achieve victories. The writing is captivating, humorous, and relatable—each character feels grounded in reality while also being elevated to a level of intriguing eccentricity."
"What I find fascinating about Cooper's novels is the element of scandal," Williams shares. "Everyone enjoys a bit of gossip and drama to some degree. They’re not just alluring and intriguing, but also trendy. The way the story unfolds gives you a vivid picture, and I really hope we’re capturing the essence of the fashion in it."
Acting in a series that relies on shocking its audience with frequent sexual content might seem like an uncomfortable experience. However, Bella Maclean, who portrays Taggie O’Hara and has previous experience with intimate scenes in Sex Education, doesn't feel that way at all.
"Most of the actors are very seasoned and have been in the industry for a long time, and I could tell they didn't take themselves too seriously," she shares. "They really enjoyed themselves, and there was plenty of laughter on set. I felt really fortunate to be part of such a joyful atmosphere each day; it’s definitely possible to have a great time while working."
Hassell is on the same page. "The actors were all genuinely humorous and great individuals. What I took away the most was the importance of enjoying ourselves during filming."
“We messed up a lot of takes because we couldn’t stop laughing, but that lightheartedness made the filming a lot more enjoyable. It also shines through in the final product, adding a special touch that really helps the show. It even made my job, which could be a bit intimidating at times, much simpler.”
Aidan Turner agrees, stating that he has never enjoyed being on set more than during the filming of Rivals. He describes the cast as "the most amazing, beautiful people." He adds that while it may sound exhausting to hear actors talk about their sets feeling like a family, in this case, it truly was.
"It was an amazing summer. I'm not quite sure what I gained from it, but I believe that everyone in the cast helped me grow as a person."
Check out our rapid-fire interviews with the 'Rivals' cast in the exclusive video above.
