Disney Plus doing Jilly Cooper's Rivals

[countrylifer]

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?

Remind me about dock leaves from riders?

I really hope Rupert grows on me too 😭

I've watched 2.5 episodes and still dislike Rupert. He needs to look aristocratic and well bred and this chap simply does not. Watched an episode with my teenage daughters this evening (both fans of the book) and they agree. It's a bit annoying, as the rest is perfect.

I have watched loads now as I said I think they’ve done a tremendous job but I wonder how it lands with people who’ve never read the books/ don’t know the characters?

Oh gawd this is my dread

@Lucyintheskywithrubies its where Janey and Billy are in the woods and she gets nettle stings and he finds dock leaves and soothes them, and it leads to a sex scene which was a sexual awakening for a LOT of girls!

Agree about Rupert, he doesn’t seem
posh enough - he and Tony seem the same level of posh whereas in the book he is extremely upper class.

Dh thinks it is very funny. He was quite keen to watch another episode. This is a man who moans like mad when I watch Real Housewives (my other guilty pleasure) so definitely an improvement.

Oh yes I remember thanks!
I was wondering last night if Helen and his children will be in it?

I mean they should be - Taggie’s ability to bond with Tab as opposed to Cameron’s, and the date where Taggie collects the leaves felt like such an important turning point in the book. And then Rupert goes round there and sees how happy Malise has made Helen, and they have the same age gap.

I’m loving it so far. it’s quite a tongue in cheek version of the book I think. However, I can’t get over the fact that Rupert has a funny face not a posh enough accent and brown hair!!

Just starting it now… with some Bolly!

Maybe that will come later in the second buit - I haven't seen any pics of those characters. If they don't make Helen the most stunning woman ever seen I will be fuming. Still hoping Rupert grows on me.

Omg against my better judgement I’m loving it! Julia from Motherland’s husband as James Vereker is genius!

Ah that's where I recognise him from! Thank you!

I’m 16 minutes in.

It’s fucking brilliant.

Episode 1 down. I think that's the first time I have ever watched an adaptation of one of my top 5 books and been completely and utterly in. I bloody loved it. I don't care that Rupert has dark hair - in every other respect he's spot on for me.

I’m 3 episodes down now, loving it!

Love love all the details like Monica spitting on her mascara, so true to the book. Agree with whoever said Monica, Lizzie and Valerie are spot on, Maud is even more right than I could have imagined.

I always slightly struggled with picturing Maud in the books and now I’m like “YES” this is exactly right! The O’Hara’s are my favourites so far.

I've just had a trailer pop up on Facebook and R C-B looks so wrong. He's supposed to be blond and stunning and be able to charm nearly anyone into bed. Honestly, I'd say no to him!

Just watching episode 1 again - the Concorde is Alderton Airlines!! I didn’t notice last night.

Love it. Hugely enjoyable and so much scope for another series!

I have watched loads now as I said I think they’ve done a tremendous job but I wonder how it lands with people who’ve never read the books/ don’t know the characters?

This is me! I am really enjoying the show it’s refreshing that they all look very normal & they aren’t all in their early 20s.

I don’t really find any of the men attractive, Rupert isn’t my type but he does have that posh, wiry, bit wonky thing going on that I see in posh types 😆 Declan is the most attractive but he dresses like a geography teacher. Danny Dyer is great.

Is it very true to the book? I’ve never read JC but I like the characters. Well not Tony & the bitch Deirdre!

Yes I'd say it's very true to the book - RCB aside! But it's absolutely captured the essence of the book - it all looks exactly as I imagined it. The production is just fab