Disney+ revealed today a first look teaser trailer for the highly anticipated eight-part series, âRivals,â based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, âRivalsâ delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. The series is set to debut on Disney+ in Canada later this year.
Alex Hassell (âThe Tragedy of Macbethâ, âThe Boysâ) features as the dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black. David Tennant (âDoctor Whoâ, âGood Omensâ) features as Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television and Rupertâs single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical adversary. Aidan Turner (âPoldarkâ, âThe Suspectâ) is journalist and TV presenter Declan OâHara, who becomes caught in the crossfire of the long-simmering feud between Rupert and Tony. Nafessa Williams (âBlack Lightingâ, âWhitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebodyâ) is pictured as Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to England by Tony to produce Declanâs new prime-time talk show. Katherine Parkinson (âHumansâ, âHere We Goâ) is Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life and Bella Maclean (âSpring Awakeningâ, âSex Educationâ) is Taggie OâHara, Declanâs tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter and unexpected temptation for Rupert.
Additional iconic characters from the drama include Sarah Stratton (âEmily Atack â The Emily Atack Showâ), Caitlin OâHara (Catriona Chandler â âPistolâ), James Vereker (Oliver Chris â âThe Crownâ), Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer â âEastEndersâ), Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones â âW1Aâ), Valerie Jones (Lisa McGrillis â âMaternalâ), Bas Baddingham (Luke Pasqualino â âSkinsâ), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbook â âSherwoodâ) and Maud OâHara (Victoria Smurfit â âBloodlandsâ).
âRivalsâ is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (âA Very English Scandalâ, âHoldingâ, âEastEndersâ), Alexander Lamb (âAckley Bridgeâ, âThe Bayâ, âWe Hunt Togetherâ), Felicity Blunt, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (âThe Riot Clubâ), âRivalsâ author Dame Jilly Cooper and Director of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA Lee Mason. âRivalsâ is produced by Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios. The series is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade alongside the series episodic writers room which includes: Sophie Goodhart (âThe Babyâ, âSex Educationâ), Marek Horn (âWild Swimmingâ, âOctopolisâ), Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor (âThe Accidental Husbandâ), Dare Aiyegbayo (âThe Dumping Ground,â âEastEndersâ), Kefi Chadwick (âLootedâ, âAvoidanceâ). Tray Agyeman is a shadow writer on episode 6, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh (âThe Pink Pillâ) is staff writer in the room. The Casting Director is Kelly Valentine Hendry (âBridgertonâ, âThe Last Kingdomâ, âKaosâ).
The lead director is BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty (âTed Lasso, Cheatersâ, âTryingâ), who also serves as executive producer on episodes 1-4. Eliza Mellor (âThe Midwich Cuckoosâ, âBehind Her Eyesâ, âPoldarkâ) serves as Series Producer. Dee Koppang OâLeary (âThe Crownâ) and Alexandra Brodski (âSomewhere Boyâ) also direct episodes.
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