The first pictures from Disney+’s steamy new drama Rivals have been released, ahead of its highly-anticipated release later this year.
The racy eight-part series is based on Jilly Cooper’s raunchy 1988 novel, and follows the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986.
Led by David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Alex Hassell, Rivals boasts an impressively star-studded cast which also includes Emily Atack and Rufus Jones.
The first waves of images unveil six of the iconic characters, with David looking a far cry from his usual jovial self.
The Scottish actor is playing Lord Tony Baddingham, the ambitious and egotistical controller of Corinium Television.
The first pictures from Disney+’s steamy new drama Rivals have been released, ahead of its highly-anticipated release later this year (David Tennant pictured)
The racy eight-part series is based on Jilly Cooper’s raunchy 1988 novel, and follows the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986
Led by David Tennant, Aidan Turner and Alex Hassell, Rivals boasts an impressively star-studded cast and the first waves of images unveil six of the iconic characters (Aidan pictured)
He can be seen shouldering a rifle and wearing a tweed jacket with a matching tie and flat cap, while staring tensely into the distance behind a pair of sunglasses.
While Aidan has also undergone a transformation, sporting a distinctive moustache to play TV presenter Declan O’Hara.
He can be seen sitting in a studio while being filmed in front of a live audience and staring straight down the camera lens.
Declan is described as fiercely intellectual, with an even fiercer temper, and is wooed to Corinium TV from the BBC by Tony.
However he soon feels he’s been swindled when Tony refuses to deliver on his promises and vows to get his revenge.
During a recent interview with Watch To Watch, Aidan joked about his appearance for the role, saying: ‘I look like I’m from circa 1975 but it’s for Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, which I’m filming until October.
‘I hadn’t read Rivals before. It seems very British so it wasn’t really on my radar, but it’s really fun. But after we wrap the tache is definitely going to go and I’m going to take a break – I’d love a big holiday!’
Meanwhile, Alex is playing the role of dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black.
Meanwhile, Alex is playing the role of dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black
The show will focus on the tense rivalry between Rupert and Tony as well as the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England (pictured L-R Alex Hassell, Danny Dyer, Jilly Cooper, David Tennant, Aidan Turner)
Nafessa Williams is also pictured as Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to England by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show
His shot shows him posing with six adorable dogs, while wearing a white shirt unbuttoned to show off his chest.
The show will focus on the tense rivalry between Rupert and Tony as well as the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England.
Nafessa Williams is also pictured as Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to England by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show.
She soon finds herself caught between the two powerful men who deeply underestimate her – at their peril.
The actress can be seen looking authoritative and confident in a red satin blazer, standing in front of a slew of TV monitors.
In contrast, Katherine Parkinson is pictured wearing a floral sundress and wellies in a field of flowers.
She is playing Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life and who is consistently overlooked by her preening and self-centred TV presenter husband, James Vereker, played by Oliver Chris.
Finally, Bella Maclean is pictured sitting on a couch in wooden living room with her pet dog.
In contrast, Katherine Parkinson is pictured wearing a floral sundress and wellies in a field of flowers, as Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life
Finally, Bella Maclean is pictured sitting on a couch in wooden living room with her pet dog, playing Taggie O’Hara, Declan’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter, who becomes an unexpected temptation for Rupert
She is playing Taggie O’Hara, Declan’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter, who becomes an unexpected temptation for Rupert.
Aidan spilled the beans about the steamy content for the show in an interview with The Times, revealing: ‘We have so much sex on our show, we have to have two intimacy coaches. Two!
‘Every day we’re in a different huge manor house somewhere, having garden parties.
‘And it is that thing as well, which happens sometimes in shows — and I see it happening [here], though none of us have kind of admitted to it, but it’s definitely there — where there’s a slight methody thing happening.
‘We’re all up for the party. We went out the other night to the Ivy. We had a late night, lots of cocktails. Never wanted a season two of anything more in my life.’
Also starring the show is Victoria Smurfit as a former actress and Declan’s bohemian, fickle wife, Maud, while Catriona Chandler plays their younger and wilder daughter Caitlin.
Claire Rushbrook plays Lady Monica Baddingham, Tony’s dependable, upper-crust wife who has absolutely no interest in the dramatic goings-on within her husband’s empire.
While Emily Atack and Rufus Jones will be playing husband and wife, with Emily playing Sarah Stratton, described as ambitious and not afraid to use her looks to get to the top.
Also starring the show is Victoria Smurfit, Catriona Chandler, Claire Rushbrook, Emily Atack, Luke Pasqualino and Danny Dyer
Emily Atack plays Sarah Stratton, described as ambitious and not afraid to use her looks to get to the top
On the other hand, Rufus is playing Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Stratton, and is in the throes of a midlife crisis – everyone knows it.
Danny Dyer is also starring as Freddie Jones, a self-made electronics millionaire, while Lisa McGrillis has been cast as his social-climbing wife Valerie.
And Luke Pasqualino is starring as the charming Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Tony’s younger brother and the proprietor of Cotchester’s hot spot, ‘Bar Sinister’.
Following the casting announcement executive producer and Rivals author Jilly commented: ‘I’m utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals’.
‘Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better ensemble cast’.
Before adding: ‘I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life.
‘The minute we met with Alex we knew he’d perfectly embody my all-time hero, the iconic, racy, ruthless, and devastatingly handsome, Rupert Campbell-Black. Viewers are in for a treat!’
According to Disney+, Rivals is a ‘joyously mischievous rollercoaster ride, steamy in its love stories and packed with larger-than-life characters.’
The streaming service continues that it brings a ‘2020s lens to the 1980s’, offering a ‘raw exploration of a complicated moment in British history when class, race, sex, wealth, and sexual liberation meant that, for the very privileged few, there were no limits to what they could achieve’.
Rivals is being produced by Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios, and will air globally on Disney+, on Hulu in the US and on Star+ in Latin America.
Following the casting announcement executive producer and Rivals author Jilly commented: ‘I’m utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals’ (pictured in March)
