Set in the fictional English county of Rutshire, Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant) have a rivalry that seeps into the world of Corinium television station.[1]
In August 2022 it was reported that
Disney+ were planning an eight-part adaptation of the Jilly Cooper novel Rivals.[2] Dominic Treadwell-Collins, is on the writing and production team. Jilly Cooper, and Felicity Blunt, Cooper’s literary agent, are serving as executive producer on the show.[3][4] It has been reported that the 1980s novel would be given as “ contemporary skew”.[5]
The lead director is Elliot Hegarty who is also credited as executive producer on episodes 1-3. Eliza Mellor is series producer. The project is produced by Happy Prince with Alexander Lamb, Laura Wade, and Lee Mason also executive producers. Wade is also co-writer with Treadwell-Collins and a writers room that includes Sophie Goodhart, Marek Horn, Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor, Dare Aiyegbayo, Kefi Chadwick, Tray Agyeman, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh.[6]
Casting
Casting in lead roles were announced in March 2023, with David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson & Alex Hassell amongst those cast.[7] That same month, Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner were added to the cast.[8] In May 2023, the cast was rounded out with the likes of Lara Peake and David Calder revealed to be in the cast.[9]