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Jilly Cooper's "Rivals" on Disney +

19 replies

GlobalCitz · 09/05/2024 21:08

Just read that this is premiering soon and the cast sounds really impressive!

David Tennant as Lord Baddingham
Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara
Alex Hassel as Rupert C.B

I didn't recognise any of the female actors, but I'm not incredibly well versed on the matter, so they might well be super famous too!

Wonder how true the screenplay will be to the novels?

(Pics attached for research purposes)

Jilly Cooper's "Rivals" on Disney +
Jilly Cooper's "Rivals" on Disney +
OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 09/05/2024 22:20

Oooh! Thanks for the heads up. Loved the book - doubt the show will be half as good but David Tennant is always worth watching/

marienylonette · 09/05/2024 22:46

Oooh, can't wait! Loved Rivals, but my absolute fave is Polo.

SharpLily · 09/05/2024 22:55

I can't wait for this and think there are some excellent and really prestigious casting choices there, but I am deeply concerned about the main one, Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black. He just looks nothing like him. Rupert had a very distinctive appearance and Jilly Cooper described him in intimate detail many, many times. I find it impossible to believe that Alex Hassell (and this is not a slight on him in any way, he's hot and I'm sure he's lovely) is what any of us pictured - or even close - when reading about Rupert. Was there really no-one available more true to the source material? Obviously I'll still watch it and no doubt I'll love it but I'm struggling to get past this one thing.

poptartsuperfan · 09/05/2024 22:58

Eyesopenwideawake · 09/05/2024 22:20

Oooh! Thanks for the heads up. Loved the book - doubt the show will be half as good but David Tennant is always worth watching/

DT is generally fab in everything so I'll be watching!

Mandalayblonde · 09/05/2024 23:17

Oh no no no...
I've waited 35 years for this and based on your first image am already out.
@SharpLily is right that Our Sainted Jilly painted a very clear of R C-B's persona. He was blonde, would be effortlessly arrogant at home barefoot in jeans, and no way would those dogs be on leads!
So sad :(

CrushingOnRubies · 09/05/2024 23:18

Can't flipping wait

When is it due to be shown ?

AgathaMystery · 09/05/2024 23:21

We need to resurrect the thread from when this was first announced!!

I hope he embodies RCB because he sure as hell doesn’t look like him.

In my head, RCB is like Chris Hemsworth and Christopher Cazenove had a baby, Tony B is the man who sits opposite Charles in 4 weddings in the hotel at the end of the first wedding just before Charles sneaks off to bed with Carrie.

Original poster
GlobalCitz · 10/05/2024 09:25

The article said "later this year".

It also mentioned something along the lines of Alex H. being so perfect for the role that they changed the casting direction and went with a dark haired actor.

I was wondering the same thing, because in my head RCB didn't look anything like him.

Crucially, Jilly Cooper is apparently over the moon with the result and said it's all absolutely perfect.

One of the actors said he had never been in any show with so many sex scenes. Apparently they needed not one, but TWO intimacy coordinators! This made me laugh.

OP posts:
WoodBurningStov · 10/05/2024 09:35

Been years since I've read the books, looking forward to this, thanks for letting us know

Luddite26 · 10/05/2024 09:39

Oooooo sounds delicious! It's years since I read any of her books but I do remember writing to her in around 1997 to say thankyou for the perfect escape and was it Tiggy and RCB who got together - the perfect love match. God I loved Jilly Cooper. Will be watching alone just to get lost in her world.

Sunflowers098 · 10/05/2024 12:54

I think the casting is weird. Rupert needs to be blond and drop dead gorgeous. David Tennant is great but Tony needs to be a bit chunky swarthy and a bit mafia looking. I love Aiden Turner but he's too young and pretty for Declan. It's totally Jilly's best book but I bet they've spoilt it ... We shall see....

Notellinganyone · 07/08/2024 14:06

Mandalayblonde · 09/05/2024 23:17

Oh no no no...
I've waited 35 years for this and based on your first image am already out.
@SharpLily is right that Our Sainted Jilly painted a very clear of R C-B's persona. He was blonde, would be effortlessly arrogant at home barefoot in jeans, and no way would those dogs be on leads!
So sad :(

Should have been James Norton.

AgathaMystery · 07/08/2024 16:51

Agh I posted here by mistake!

LittleG69 · 21/08/2024 17:21

Drops on 18 October

caramac04 · 21/08/2024 18:41

I’ll definitely give this a go but the physical appearance of R C-B isn’t what I’d expect .
I agree with PP, James Norton would ace this role.

dobwrmkle · 09/10/2024 17:15

The reviews are good!

Beamur · 09/10/2024 17:18

I've not read the books so can enjoy this without having my expectations dashed 😄

TheStroppyFeminist · 09/10/2024 18:13

I am pleased they're dropping all episodes at once but wondering whether I will be able to resist lying in bed with a plate of smoked salmon, some brown bread and a glass of Pouilly Fume and just binge watching them all?

I don't think David Tennant is handsome enough to be Tony, for me Tony is Andy Garcia in his Ocean's 11 days. And I'm perturbed that RCB is dark haired as well but someone on the other thread says Alex Hassell has charisma in spades so maybe it'll be ok?

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