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?

I cannot wait for this. Just hope they don't ruin it.
Am currently reading Score for the eleventybillionth time....I love her books.

Oh not the 20s lens, pleeease. I would love if it was an 80s drama. Big hair, shoulder pads, huuuge jewels. I don’t even know if tv companies still bid for franchises any more?

Christina Henricks would be good as Maud. No idea who could play RCB - who is that good looking?

It’s definitely set in the 80s, but sounds like they might have toned down the more, er, problematic aspects. Which are the whole point really.

Is Tom Rhys Harries to young for.RCB? Not keen on the beardness here though!

Now thats my joy definitely killed!

Oooh, yes, perfect!

Yes, agreed. He was spectacularly haughty and arrogant in McMafia.

Oh fuck.

Aiden Gillen for Declan? He may need to beef up a bit as I imagine Declan being quite big

On the GoT actors theme one of my friends has just mooted Nikolaj Coster-Waldau for RCB…

How about Kathy Kiera Clarke for Maud? (Aunt Sarah from Derry Girls)

Yes that might work! Or Jason Lewis for RCB.
Tom Hardy for Tony Baddingham. @Allmyarseandpeggymartin I used to think Ferny would be perfect as me but now that we have both aged I'd like Toni Colette.

I think Claire Foy could be a great Valerie.

images.app.goo.gl/WWBWCuysBGpPMzca7

Johnny flynn for rupert. He's perfect.

Am recasting Jessica Hynes as Lizzie Vereker.

Need a James... maybe Bradley Walsh?

There's very very few actors that could do Rupert justice. Ryan Reynolds is the closest I can think of.

Jenna Coleman for taggy but maybe too old now.

Can we fit Josh o Connor in somewhere?
he played a great Charles and was fabulous as Lawrence Durrell too.
(not as RCB obvs).

Jayne Horrocks would have been perfect for Valerie but she's most likely too old now.

Michelle Dockery for Helen

A lot of these actors I think were picturing in their younger years - Lizzie Vereker is, I reckon only in her late 20s in the book and Jessica Hynes is nearly 50. I think it’s because we read them 20 years ago for the first time and so pictured people who would have worked well at the time.
For example I picture James Vereker as Richard Madeley - but the Richard from probably 1997 not 2022!
In fact I basically pictured Richard and Judy as James and Lizzie (because I read them back in the late 90s!)

Jenna Coleman would fit into the world there somewhere though.
And Emerald Fennell is perfect for Janey!

I could get behind that idea ❤️

Charlie Hunnam for Billy!

Timothy chalamet as Patrick

Ooh, I like this idea. He’d never do it though.