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!

I'm the same

I agree that Rupert is supposed to be pant droppingly gorgeous but also likeable, albeit a cad and although I’m not sure about Alex Hassell I’m only 2 episodes in and loving it. I love the Bas casting, lush Luke! Phoar!

No, not at all, I’m such a fan but most of the casting is spot on

Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver is such a good comparison! He was divine in BJ and I’ve never found him attractive in anything else

I've finished, watched it all. What a hoot 😁

I won't spoil anything.
But can I just say, for ne, the actresses are head and shoulders above the actors.

All of the women are absolutely brilliant.
I recognise them all from other work they have done, love them all and they are phenomenal.

The women make this show.

Yep-he’d have been brilliant! He was excellent in Green Wing/Bluestone 42, too. He would have played the posh boy cad well (and looks the part as well!) Oh, and Motherland!

Alex H is playing RCB really well but I think they should have got someone blond.

I understand this feeling and have avoided many adaptations because of it.

I read the JC books approx 30 years ago so cannot advise you on this occasion sorry!

Here's my take. Despite my whining about the RCB actor and a few other niggles, I am loving it. The book is one of my favourites of all time and I've read it several times since I first read it every morning on my train commute to work in 1988. Watching the series is making me want to read it again even though I last read it only around a year ago,
Why don't you give the first episode a try?

I never really picture anyone when reading UNLESS I have also seen a tv or film of it and then that person is the character in my mind.

So hermoinie is Emma Watson in my mind. Even though I read the books first. They had no physical form when I read the books. I just don't visualise them.

I do understand what you mean. I noted those things being Cameron’s choice not Declan’s, and there’s a few other things like that. However I know that things are never going to be a 100% copy and I’m just pleased that they’ve got the key events/people right except Rupert.

@ChessieFL I’m glad you’re on this thread with the beauty of a sexy cherub, your voluptuous wanton body and your demand that Ricky goes to ten and wins the Westchester, or WestChessieter as Jilly calls it 😁

I think they have got the characters down to a T especially Sarah Lizzie Monica Taggie and Maud. I love David Tennant and think he is getting across the cruelty thin skinned and vanity.
I think RCB Character is v good I’m not that keen on the actor but don’t think I would find RCB attractive either
Danny Dyer is fantastic and I am not usually keen on him. And Aiden Turner is sublime
I also love the range of shapes and sizes of actors and the fact we didn’t all have fake white smiles in the 80. The clothing and make up is spot on. And it’s just joyful and fun

I think Emily Atack is killing it

I’m loving it. Think I’m in the minority but I think Alex Hassel absolutely nails RCB for me and I don’t mind his lack of blondeness. He gets the charisma, the danger, and also the kindness when he wants to be (eg with Taggie).

I have no idea why anyone would want the James Vereker actor to play him - to me he gets JV perfectly in all his smarmy self-satisfied charm and on pure looks alone isn’t a millionth as sexy as Alex Hassel.

But it’s all great fun and is cheering me up immensely as I’m recovering from covid.

This adaptation has clearly been written by someone who truly loved the book.

Jilly Cooper is a total master, and I love that they've kept so no much of her dialogue - she's the queen of the one liner.

A lot of the characters aren't immediately "right", but have really grown on me. Taggie is a total quivering drip in the book - this version is infinitely more likeable.

I don't think any real human could possibly be as gorgeous as Rupert is hyped up to be, but AH plays him perfectly (I worry that he's starved himself down to that weight, though).

Cameron's not nasty enough!

Don’t forget my bruised scabious blue eyes!

I hope they do go on and make Polo, I’d love to see what I look like!

I'm absolutely loving it. I wasn't completely sold on AH but I think he plays it very well and don't think anyone could really live up to Rupert. There just aren't that many hot blonds of the right age - though Jamie Lannister does come close.
@ChessieFL The Birdie song scene was hilarious - all the music has been spot on.

I also am really loving Lizzie & Freddie.

@Sunflowers098 I think the Archie woods bit was added mainly so Monica could make her pointed speech to Tony?

I'm ok with them changing a few bits, I'm just glad they've kept so many of the classic one-liners.

DH just asked if it was suitable for the teen dc (14 & 12). I had to say it would be far too embarrassing to watch with them!

I think the fact that there's obviously a relationship brewing between Rupert and Taggie is making me really uncomfortable. He's twice her age, has a horrible attitude to women and has sexually assaulted her. It's a really dated kind of romance storyline.

When i read the book Taggie was older than me and was some sort of thing to aspire to…..the girl who was swept off her feet by RCB. I thought it was so romantic…..I do think Jilly Cooper is why I always had a thing for older men!

Now I’m watching it and I’m old enough to be Taggie’s mother! 🙈

Agreed. I thought he would be younger and hotter.

I am loving this, although RCB should be played by Rupert Penry Jones in my mind. I think he's exactly how Jilly Cooper described him. Although I know he's too old now.

Taggie also should have a cloud of dark hair, although I'm quite liking her.

Patrick, Taggie and Caitlin should also have Irish accents.

Love Freddie, Maud, Declan and Sarah Stratton.

I have to say the actor playing Rupert is really growing on me!

I sort of agree - in that RCB is less repellent in later episodes and I do think the actor is portraying him very well. He should still look more like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau though!

I’m “re-“reading the book now (having only read the dirty bits as a teen!) and to my surprise realised RCB was only in his mid thirties (with Tony in his mid forties), which makes his storyline with Taggie less gross in the books. But AH looks about 50, which makes it feel far more icky.

I always thought RCB was detestable especially in Riders although he does get a bit of a redemption in Rivals so I never fantasised about him. I think Alex Hassell is great in the role so far.
I can’t imagine the actor playing James Vereker as Rupert. He’s spot on for the role of James.
I’m only one episode down so far.

I was quite shocked at a certain scene in ep5, I think they should have put a trigger warning