Disney+ is plotting the adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel Rivals, and its ensemble cast will be as amazing as it gets. Doctor Who star David Tennant landed the lead role in this series, also starring Danny Dyer, Aidan Turner, and Alex Hassell.
Rivals is a part of Cooper’s iconic series of novels The Rutshire Chronicles and it centers on the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England. The series will explore the long-standing rivalry between two powerful men—member of parliament and notorious womanizer Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex) and controller of the independent TV franchise Corinium Television, Tony Baddingham (Tennant).
Turner is joining the cast as TV presenter Declan O’Hara, while Dyer will play a self-made electrics millionaire Freddie Jones. The show’s supporting cast will include Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Claire Rushbrook, Oliver Chris, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atack, Rufus Jones, Luke Pasqualino, and Catriona Chandler.
Jilly Cooper gave this adaptation her seal of approval, saying she can’t wait to be on set and see the cast bring the characters she loves so much to life, especially since the acting ensemble “features some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer.”
Dominic Treadwell-Collins’ (A Very English Scandal) is producing the series via Happy Prince, while Elliot Hegarty (Ted Lasso) serves as the lead director.
