Everyone remembers the cover of Rivals by Jilly Cooper, aka the undisputed queen of bonkbuster books. A stark background, a woman in white flared trousers and red slingback heels, stepping on the outstretched hand (clasping a roll of undeveloped film) of an unseen man. The unmistakable whiff of horses, for some reason. The author’s name in big gold letters at the top.

Oh yes, Rivals was positively dripping with the promise of sex, scandal, social satire and yet more sex from the get-go, so is it any wonder that it’s getting a star-studded TV adaptation? And a star-studded TV adaptation helmed by A Very English Scandal’s Dominic Treadwell-Collins and The Bay’s Alexander Lamb, no less?

What’s Rivals about?

Set in the fictional county of Rutshire, a long-standing rivalry between the Tory minister for sport, Rupert Campbell-Black, and Lord Tony Baddingham, the managing director of Corinium Television, is about to boil over – and so many people are caught in the crossfire.

People like, say, TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who is hellbent on revenge against Lord Baddingham (he was lured away from a successful stint at the BBC to Corinium with empty words and unfulfilled promises). Like Cameron Cook, who’s been hired to produce Declan’s programme. Like self-made millionaire Freddie Jones and his social-climbing wife, Valerie. And like…

Well, you get the picture.

“As a rival group emerges to pitch for the Corinium franchise, reputations ripen and decline, true love blossoms and burns, marriages are made and shattered, and sex raises its delicious head at almost every throw as, in bed and boardroom, the race is on to capture the Cotswold Crown,” promises the synopsis.

Basically, it’s all about the ruthless world of independent television in 1986… and we’re into it.

Who stars in Rivals?

Rivals boasts an incredible cast, with Alex Hassell stepping into the shoes of the incorrigible rake that is Rupert and none other than David Tennant set to play the single-mindedly ambitious Lord Baddingham.

Aidan Turner, meanwhile, tales on the role of the fiercely intellectual Declan, Danny Dyer (yes, that Danny Dyer) is the human equivalent of ‘salt-of-the-earth’ in Freddie, and Lisa McGrillis is his onscreen wife, Valerie.

And then we have…

• Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara, a former actor and Declan’s bohemian, fickle wife.
• Bella Maclean as Declan and Maud’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed elder daughter, Taggie.
• Catriona Chandler as Caitlin, Declan and Maud’s youngest child.
• Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, the ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to Corinium by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show.
• Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist consistently overlooked by her preening and self-centred TV presenter husband, James Vereker.
• Oliver Chris as the aforementioned James Vereker.
• Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham, Tony’s dependable, upper-crust wife who has absolutely no interest in the dramatic goings-on within her husband’s empire.
• Luke Pasqualino as the charming Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Tony’s younger brother and the proprietor of Cotchester’s hot spot, Bar Sinister.
• Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, the new wife to Paul Stratton, the deputy prime minister.
• Rufus Jones as the aforementioned Paul Stratton, who finds himself caught in the throes of a midlife crisis.

Phew. 

Throw in the fact that our lead director is Bafta-nominated Elliot Hegarty of Ted Lasso and Cheaters fame, and you have a lot of reasons to give this one a go.

What are people saying about Rivals?

Jilly Cooper, who is serving as executive producer on the project, says: “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. 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!”

When and where can we watch Rivals?

The series is set to debut on Disney+ on 18 October, so not long to go.

Until then, it’s worth remembering that Rivals is just one of 10 books in The Rutshire Chronicles series, so you’ve plenty of reading to do…

Images: Disney+