As a devoted fan of British television, I can’t help but feel elated by the brilliant masterpiece that is Disney+’s adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s “Rivals”. Being a child who spent many summers frolicking across the pond with my American relatives, I can attest to the unique charm this series holds for our transatlantic kin.
Disney+’s popular adaptation of “Rivals,” penned by Jilly Cooper, captivated the U.K. this autumn; however, the showrunner, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, was also thinking about engaging audiences in the United States simultaneously.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Treadwell-Collins shares his perspective: “Given my upbringing – I spent significant time in the U.S., as my grandparents resided there – I’ve been immersed in American culture and television. This has given me insight into the intrigue Americans have towards the British, finding us peculiar. Our show aims to glorify British traditions, eccentricities, class, and sexuality, offering a blend of quirky and joyful intimacy reminiscent of ‘Bridget Jones’.
The renowned producer, famous for projects like “A Very English Scandal” and “EastEnders”, remarks that Daniel Cleaver’s mischief is reminiscent of Rupert. He believes this quality is what attracts the U.S., and the buzz around the show is increasing as people whisper, “Wow, this series is scandalous!” It’s a more contemporary version of “Downton Abbey”, filled with scandal and ruthless competition.
In the United States, the show known as “Rivals” – which has already been confirmed for season two – debuted on Hulu in October. The narrative is based on Cooper’s book about the notorious rogue and wealthy Member of Parliament, Rupert Campbell-Black (played by Alex Hassell), and his fierce rivalry with Tony Baddingham (portrayed by David Tennant). This intense competition permeates the 1980s setting of Baddingham’s Corinium independent commercial television station, situated in the fictional county of Rutshire, in the Cotswolds region of southwest England.
Baddingham recruits the lively Irish journalist Declan O’Hara, who’s married to actress Maud, from the BBC. Declan finds himself immersed in the extravagant lives of Rutshire’s high society, where beloved figures like Lizzie Vereker, Freddie Jones, and Cameron Cook reside. (Aidan Turner plays Declan, Victoria Smurfit portrays Maud, Katharine Parkinson is Lizzie, Danny Dyer takes on Freddie, and Nafessa Williams stars as Cameron)
The narrative revolves around a romantic tale, specifically between Taggie (Bella Maclean), a naive O’Hara daughter, and Campbell-Black. Their connection blossoms amidst the turbulent backdrop of passion, misadventures, and the fashion trend of shoulder pads.
As a devoted admirer of Jilly Cooper, whose blockbuster “Rutshire Chronicles” echoed throughout U.K. households, I was an essential part of Treadwell-Collins’ creative journey. We always ensured that Jilly was content with our work, as she reviewed scripts and provided valuable feedback. I recall one instance where we had written that Rupert asked Declan for his cutlery back, but Jilly, in her authenticity, corrected us by saying, “He would never say the word ‘cutlery’; he would say ‘silverware’.” That was a testament to her commitment to realism.
The showrunner explains that he’s been desperate for a long time to adapt Cooper’s work. “Over the years, lots of people have laughed at me and ridiculed me a bit for [wanting to adapt them],” he says.
Other TV folks commented, ‘They’re a bit over-the-top funny.’ But I countered, ‘No, they’re about British identity, social status, love, and yearning!’ I knew their potential all along.” It wasn’t until Treadwell-Collins established the production company Happy Prince, under ITV Studios, that he truly believed Rivals had found a suitable environment.
Personally speaking, it’s evident that this project holds a deep personal connection for the producer, as evidenced by his infectious enthusiasm during interviews with The Hollywood Reporter. He shares, “The book initially captivated me due to the enthralling Rupert-Taggie romance.” He further explains, “[Declan O’Hara] is another significant aspect. He’s an Irish immigrant navigating a privileged world, much like my father who hailed from farming stock in Ireland and sent me to Harrow, the same prestigious English school attended by Rupert.” Reflecting on my own experiences, I can relate to this class system as an outsider myself, having shared classes with individuals similar to Rupert.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed an interesting shift in the fanbase of Cooper’s game. What was once predominantly women seems to be rivaling that now. It’s transformed into a spectacle that people are enjoying together. I’ve even received messages from friends, claiming it’s added a spark to their relationship – they joke that the birthrate in Britain and America might just increase due to this show!
Treadwell-Collins shows no reticence when talking about season two; instead, he’s buzzing with enthusiasm as the buzz spreads and the international fanbase expands. “Our dream has always been the Jilly Cooper-verse,” he shares. “And it’s intriguing to see that a younger American audience is now catching up and drawing comparisons between Rupert and Taggie and Twilight! This is a story with a global appeal.
He acknowledges that the legacy of the first season is weighing on him, given his tendency to strive for perfection. This makes the task at hand more difficult, but he’s determined to make the upcoming second season even more impressive, ambitious, powerful, and strong. He and his team are eager to continue delivering the show.
The boss of ‘Rivals’ has begun creating scripts and has hidden some fun surprises for viewers. They’re putting in a lot of effort, but it’s exciting because the team is made up of television enthusiasts. Since we are also viewers, we will be more critical of ourselves than the audience could ever be.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-23 15:25