Royalists among us will know that Queen Camilla had a close relationship with Dame Jilly Cooper, the prolific writer of the Rutshire Chronicles.
This steamy collection of novels centres on the dashing rogue, Rupert Campbell-Black, whom Jilly described as “my hero, my glamour boy,” in an exclusive interview with The Weekly in 2023.
Following the death of Dame Jilly Cooper, Queen Camilla called the author, her longtime friend, a “legend” and a “wonderfully witty and compassionate.” Camilla described Jilly as the “queen of the bonkbuster”, referring to the philandering and sex-packed novels her friend wrote.
And the Queen is clearly not just a fan of her novels. She also paid a visit to the set of the TV adaptation of Jilly’s books, Rivals. She sat down with the cast ahead of the release of the show’s second season.
Is Rivals based on a true story?
No, unfortunately for fans of philandering landowners in the landed gentry of England, Rupert Campbell-Black is a fictional character. However, Jilly Cooper has said that the novels were inspired by her time living in the Cotswolds. She has also shared that the characters are inspired by real-life people. For instance, Jilly admitted that Rupert is an amalgamation of several men, including Michael Howard, the 21st Earl of Suffolk and Andrew Parker Bowles, the former husband of Queen Camilla, and Rupert Lycett Green.
It was actually Andrew who introduced Camilla to Jilly. She shared in our exclusive interview that he was a “brilliant horseman” and helped her with the character of Rupert. She then met Camilla at a dinner.
As mentioned, Rivals is a TV adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles. The first season followed certain aspects of the novels’ plots but modernised certain elements. For instance, women are given more agency, certain episodes of domestic violence are removed, and Taggie is aged up from 18 to 20.
Who stars in the Rivals?
Alex Hassell stars as Rupert Campbell-Black, a retired Olympian show jumper, now a Tory MP and sports minister, and a notorious womaniser. Despite his charmed existence, he lives a lonely and secluded life with his dogs.
Rupert’s main “rival” is the ruthless Lord Tony Baddingham, managing director of regional television production company, Corinium, played to perfection by Scottish actor, David Tennant. Tony enlists the temperamental former BBC journalist, Declan O’Hara, played by Irish actor Declan O’Hara, in his battle with Rupert.
The antics of the characters are documented by Lizzie Vereker, a romance author played by Katherine Parkinson. Her self-absorbed husband, James (played by Oliver Chris) is also a TV host at Corinium. However, she is attracted to local successful businessman, Freddie Jones, played by Danny Dyer.
The series starts in 1986 with Declan moving his family (his former actress wife Maud and their children Patrick, Agatha aka ‘Taggie’, and Caitlin) to the fictional Rutshire, in the Cotswolds in the south of England, to take up a job offer at Corinium. Declan and Maud are in the midst of a relationship repair. Before the series began, it was revealed that she had an affair. Taggie, often neglected by the family, proves herself to be a great caterer and starts to develop strong feelings for Rupert, to Declan’s horror.
How explicit is Rivals?
We won’t lie, it’s a raunchy show. Queen Camilla was right to call the novels “bonkbusters”, and the show lives up to the description. There is some male full-frontal nudity pretty early on, just to give you a taste!
Is Rivals getting a season 2?
Yes! As mentioned, the second series of Rivals is coming in 2026.
The first season was released on Disney+ on 18 October 2024. A second season was commissioned shortly afterwards in December of the same year.
Unfortunately, we will have to wait until 2026 for the second season.
Where can I watch Rivals in Australia?
Rivals is available to stream on Disney+ in Australia. You can sign up for a plan here.
