Rivals author reveals changes in raunchy adaptation
"How much of a say did I have? Not much."
It's only a matter of weeks until Disney Plus's anticipated adaptation of Rivals hits our screens.
Based on the hit 1988 novel of the same name by Dame Jilly Cooper, Cooper has now revealed what changes have been made to the original material for the new eight-part series.
Speaking to BBC News, Cooper describes the new series as an "absolutely wonderful" adaptation.
She said: "How much of a say did I have? Not much" but admits that she suggested some changes to some of the early scenes of the series. "I did occasionally say, 'No, I don't think they should be jumping on each other quite so early in the story' and things like that," she said.
In terms of what's been changed from the novel, Cooper says that the series' first scene is actually of a "mile high" sex scene that "was not in the book", but she admits that the series does have a lot of sex.
She said: "It’s fun. It’s quite naughty too. There is a lot of sex. In one episode they have every member of the cast coupled and fornicating for the next 20 minutes and all of that."
As in the novel, much of the focus is on fictional character Rupert Campbell-Black, who will be played by Alex Hassell (His Dark Materials) in the series.
He will star alongside former Doctor Who star David Tennant as television executive Tony Baddingham and Aidan Turner (Poldark) as TV presenter Declan O'Hara.
The trailer for the series was released just last week and teases plenty of scandal, rivalry and double-crossing to come as well, of course, plenty of racy scenes with the star-studded cast.
Read more:
- David Tennant teases Rivals nudity and sexy scenes: "It’s a little racy, sure"
- David Tennant squares up to Aidan Turner and Alex Hassell in Rivals trailer
According to the official synopsis for the series, it is packed "full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit".
It continues: "Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986."
Series star David Tennant also recently teased what's to come in the eight-parter, saying that "it's quite racy" on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show.
The rest of the cast for the series includes plenty of familiar faces including Bella Maclean, Danny Dyer (EastEnders), Katherine Parkinson (Humans), Nafessa Williams (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Emily Atack (The Inbetweeners), Lisa McGrillis (Maternal), Luke Pasqualino (Skins), Claire Rushbrook (Sherwood) and Victoria Smurfit (Once Upon A Time).
Rivals will be released on Disney Plus on 18th October 2024. Sign up to Disney Plus now for £4.99 per month or £79.90 for a full year.
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Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
