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Disney Plus doing Jilly Cooper's Rivals

791 replies

countrylifer · 25/08/2022 10:56

This is just the best news. I've been waiting for an adaptation of Rivals since I first fell in love with the bounder Rupert C-B in circa 1997.

But the question is who will play him? I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who can fill those boots - any suggestions?

Disney Plus doing Jilly Cooper's Rivals
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Fantasticaldolphin · 23/03/2023 09:30

I read the books many years ago and loved them. I’ve just bought Riders and Rivals on kindle (only £4 for the pair) to refresh my memory.

Ozgirl75 · 23/03/2023 11:18

I agreed with every word of the Hilary Rose article! Rupert Penry Jones for RCB.
RCB doesn’t brood, or even smoulder - he doesn’t need to. I always pictured his handsomeness as carelessly worn because he’s so sure of himself.

Spudlet · 23/03/2023 11:26

Rupert Penry Jones is too old though - RCB was in his late 30s in Rivals. A man in his early 50s falling for a girl of 19 or so is just yuck as well, regardless of how good looking he is. He would have been perfect 10 or 15 years ago; great for one of the later books; but he’s missed the boat for this one.

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bookworm14 · 23/03/2023 12:18

Yes, RPJ is too old for RCB. As others have said, I think they missed a trick in not casting James Norton. Perhaps he wasn’t available.

greywinds · 23/03/2023 12:44

I was thinking James Norton too but even he’s not exactly right - RCB is all dash and no bumbling.

burnoutbabe · 23/03/2023 14:24

Spudlet · 23/03/2023 11:26

Rupert Penry Jones is too old though - RCB was in his late 30s in Rivals. A man in his early 50s falling for a girl of 19 or so is just yuck as well, regardless of how good looking he is. He would have been perfect 10 or 15 years ago; great for one of the later books; but he’s missed the boat for this one.

To be fair it's pretty yuck at 39 and 19!

Ozgirl75 · 23/03/2023 15:03

Yes and the big part of that book is how he feels like he’s way too old for her and how the waiter in the restaurant admires his three children, but then Malise talks to him about how happy he’s been with Helen, where there’s even more of an age gap and encourages him to go for it!

greywinds · 23/03/2023 16:34

Tonnes of things that won’t wash between the 80s/90s and now - but it never was real life, it’s escapist fantasy so perhaps gets judged by different standards?

lasciviousoldram · 23/03/2023 18:16

greywinds · 23/03/2023 16:34

Tonnes of things that won’t wash between the 80s/90s and now - but it never was real life, it’s escapist fantasy so perhaps gets judged by different standards?

Totally agree with this. I hope this new production isn't too watered down as I don't think it will be the same. Would some of the phrases and plotlines be acceptable now - definitely not and they weren't even ok then, but the Rutshire Chronicles are pure escapism and I hope people view it as that and there isn't too much pearl clutching!

noodlezoodle · 23/03/2023 19:41

I'm also intrigued about how they will handle the consortium storyline. These bids for ITV franchises ended years ago and I'm not sure what the modern day equivalent would be - maybe just pitching for a license to start a new channel?

bookworm14 · 23/03/2023 19:47

noodlezoodle · 23/03/2023 19:41

I'm also intrigued about how they will handle the consortium storyline. These bids for ITV franchises ended years ago and I'm not sure what the modern day equivalent would be - maybe just pitching for a license to start a new channel?

It’s still set in the 80s so I assume they will keep the franchise storyline, but include lots of exposition to explain it to the modern audience.

noodlezoodle · 23/03/2023 19:52

bookworm14 · 23/03/2023 19:47

It’s still set in the 80s so I assume they will keep the franchise storyline, but include lots of exposition to explain it to the modern audience.

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I had somehow managed to completely miss that!

LittleBearPad · 23/03/2023 20:21

🫰please let them NOT fuck it up…

CrushingOnRubies · 22/08/2023 13:50

I know many of us on this thread are also a fan of Jilly's books

Just seen that Jilly Cooper has a new Rutshire book out in November called Tackle. Available to preorder on Amazon

LittleBearPad · 22/08/2023 17:55

CrushingOnRubies · 22/08/2023 13:50

I know many of us on this thread are also a fan of Jilly's books

Just seen that Jilly Cooper has a new Rutshire book out in November called Tackle. Available to preorder on Amazon

The problem is that after the clusterfuck that was the last book this news just makes me nervous.

Notonthestairs · 22/08/2023 18:54

"The problem is that after the clusterfuck that was the last book this news just makes me nervous."

Last couple of books for me.
But the early books (despite some aspects) will hold a place in my heart.

LittleBearPad · 22/08/2023 19:13

Agreed - Rivals and Polo in particular.

They better not muck Rivals up.

CrushingOnRubies · 22/08/2023 20:51

I've just started to listen to polo again. Read the book ages ago but want something to listen to on holiday

I also hope it's better than the last few.

greywinds · 23/08/2023 10:55

I have read them all but I was a bit down the other day and thinking should I re read one of the new ones and it’s a no, no enthusiasm. Agree rivals and polo are always my go to.

im sure I’ll get the new one but I don’t have high hopes for someone of her age unless she’s ghost written with Fiona walker (unlikely)

weebarra · 23/08/2023 19:39

'Tackle'? I suspect it's about rugby but it makes me smile to think it's about fishing!

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 23/08/2023 19:45

Ooh, just found this thread. I'm so excited!
Also, it's all being filmed around my mum. In fact her friend's house is being RCB's house!
I must ask mum to get all the set gossip

LittleBearPad · 23/08/2023 19:45

weebarra · 23/08/2023 19:39

'Tackle'? I suspect it's about rugby but it makes me smile to think it's about fishing!

It’s football

weebarra · 23/08/2023 19:52

Oh. I'm a huge football fan and I'd have thought rugby would suit Jilly better.

ChessieFL · 23/08/2023 19:52

I bet she wished she hadn’t already used Score! as a title when she decided to write about football…

StellaLaBella · 23/08/2023 20:49

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 23/08/2023 19:45

Ooh, just found this thread. I'm so excited!
Also, it's all being filmed around my mum. In fact her friend's house is being RCB's house!
I must ask mum to get all the set gossip

Ummm, YEAH

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