Jilly Cooper's Rivals on Disney - episode 1 discussion thread WITH SPOILERS! Open the Pouilly Fume & curl up on the sofa with a lurcher puppy here!

[TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack]

Exciting!

Exactly...,he may not be blond , but plays RCB to a tee.

Is there only 8 episodes!!!!!????

I am so sad I have watched it all. Loved the fashion, houses, cars, street scenes, music.

Interview with AH in the Daily Mail You magazine today, apparently they auditioned 600 men for the part.
AH says he thought he hadn't a chance because he wasn't blonde.

Ok I’m late to the party - I’m only on ep 2. Loving that they’ve played up the friendship between Lizzie and Rupert - it makes him much more redeemable. Also loving that Taggie is far less wet and helpless.

Just finished episode 4 and AH has won me over - the bit between him and Declan sealed it. Don't care about the hair - I think RCB's "charm" come from his personality & attitude.

And the lovely scene between Freddie and Lizzie. I didn't quite swoon but I definitely tugged at the heartstrings.

Lovely to see B characters like Seb, Georgie Baines etc brought to life. And the actress playing Cameron is excellent.
Whoever said the women are smashing it - yes they definitely are.

On to Episode 5!

I’m just about to start episode 8 and I have to admit that I have the boys for AH as Rupert now. His characterisation is wonderful.

I am about half way through. I think Katherine Parkinson steels the show.

I really liked the portrayal of Maud. I didnt really get her in the books and I feel that she has been sympathetically brought to life.

Loving Lady B, James V and Cameron Cook.

I don't feel thr chemistry between Rupert CB abmnd Taggie. But over all enjoying it.

I agree, katherine Parkinson is great.

The women are smashing it. Monica in the scene with Valerie, and Lizzie with Freddie. Heartbreaking in their own ways, and are things really better now?

I like Maud too. I think they've portrayed her and her old money, stiff upper lip well compared to the new money Jones.

It reminded me of The Crown when Maggie Thatcher was invited to the country and gets dressed into a cocktail dress for dinner, whereas Diana just knew what to wear. If you aren't born into that world I think it's probably pretty difficult to join it

Just watched it. Agreed. It goes beyond the books so caught me off guard.
JC has spoken about that scene and that it was based on something similar that happened in her life, not that that excuses anything just that she'd drawn from her own circumstances.

AHH I mixed Maud (still fabulous) and Monica Baddingham , up - still getting used to name

I always imagined Beattie to look like Paula Yates

@Mojodojocasahous Me too. Exactly how I pictured her.

I love Aidan Turner as Declan. I’m also coming round to the RCB casting! He’s pulling it off.

It’s completely different in the books so we can’t help you 😂

I’m halfway through, and so far:
Rupert does not look like he does in the book, but he definitely has the vibe.
Taggie also isn’t how she should be but I like her.
I love Lizzie, she is perfect.
I like Cameron but she’s not mean enough.
The music is excellent.
Cannot stand David Tennant at all. He is not a good fit with this, he’s just making me cringe.
Episode 4 - WAS THAT A HINT OF POLO????

I’ve watched it all and love it! Whoever has adapted it has done it with lots of love, the music, fashion and original one liners are glorious.

I like how the women in general are less wet, Taggie with more of a backbone and Cameron not as desperate for Rupert.

Declan, Lizzie and Freddie are my faves.

Am annoyed by the ending. I feel like CC in the book where she is straddling RCB on the 12 foot of polished mahogany dining table when they are interrupted by TCB! Frustrated and at an anticlimax!

That does happen in the book though doesn’t it - he just doesn’t go quite as far?
Based on real jilly life sadly

Shout out to Taggie’s velvet and shot taffeta dress in ep 1. Think I might have had that exact one.

Surprised they got Borat to play Declan 😭

Agree about the ending @Mojodojocasahous .
Love Maud and Cameron and wasn’t fussed on them in the book, and was gutted at Danny Dyer playing Freddie (who should have red gold curls!) but he’s amazing. Overall have absolutely loved this and hope they make a follow up / Polo.

I'm having to re-watch episodes 1-5 as DH loves it! 😂 I am shocked, he usually hates anything like this but he's addicted too now.

Finished it and absolutely adored it - I was very wary about Alex Hassell being cast, but he's totally won me over. The despair on his face at the end of the interview with Declan and when he gets the driver to stop off at Wembley... and I have never, ever liked Danny Dyer in anything I've ever seen him in, but I love him in this.

Also loved the reference to Perdita in episode 4 and they've left it wide open to finish Rivals and go straight into Polo in a second series. Please, please, please, please, please....

David Tenant over acts in everything and irritates me in this.

Like others I’ve warmed to RCB, the actor may not look like him but is pulling off the character well.

the music and the clothes are amazing. Making me feel very nostalgic.