As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for British dramas, I must say that “Rivals” is an absolute gem. The series, now streaming on Hulu/Disney+, is a delightful adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel, and it’s clear that the creators have done justice to the source material while making it relevant in today’s context.
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for “Rivals,” now streaming on Hulu/Disney+.
British author Jilly Cooper is widely known for her explicit romantic novels. In the U.K., the 87-year-old has held the title as the leading writer of “bonkbusters” (a term for romance novels) for many years, with books like “Riders” and “Tackle” often sporting suggestive cover art, such as one version of “Riders,” which depicts a woman wearing tight horse-riding pants and a man’s hand placed suggestively on her backside.
According to Felicity Blunt, Cooper’s long-term literary representative at Curtis Brown (which is part of UTA), she has a well-known status within the United Kingdom as an author. However, she advises against making judgments about a book based solely on its cover.
The evidence is clear in a costly and wide-reaching television adaptation of one of her renowned novels, “Rivals,” which has been creating a buzz in the U.K. on Disney+ and is now gaining traction in the U.S., where it can be found on Hulu. Although Cooper’s books are primarily recognized for their explicit content (as Blunt puts it, “It’s like a scandalous Bridget Jones” for “Rivals”), her devoted readers seek out much more. As Blunt explains, “She discusses misogyny, sexism, racism, homophobia; these themes have been present in her works from the very beginning. She didn’t lecture you, she made you uneasy, and then you would take away your thoughts about it. And I believe that is the brilliance of her writing.
David Tennant, the actor portraying Lord Tony Baddingham in the series, was one who knew Cooper primarily by her reputation before delving into the scripts for “Rivals”. It was his wife Georgia who convinced him to assume the role of the menacing TV network owner Tony. According to Tennant, there may have been a certain snobbery towards Jilly’s writing. He hopes that the success of this adaptation has helped to some extent in overcoming that, as it turns out that one can underestimate these ‘bonkbuster’ novels – or any other labels applied to them – due to their popularity. However, it is clear that Jilly has a deep understanding of human nature.
Similar to many of Cooper’s works, the novel “Rivals” unfolds in an imaginary English village named Rutshire, nestled within the countryside. It portrays a variety of couples engaging in flirting, quarreling, and intimate moments. First published in 1988, the television adaptation, produced by U.K.’s Happy Prince, remains largely faithful to the original work. However, as Blunt puts it, when viewed through a modern lens of 2024, certain aspects needed careful handling to translate onto screen sensitively in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
The drama-filled scenes involve the main love story between 20-year-old Taggie, portrayed by Bella Maclean, and 36-year-old Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell, who resembles Colin Firth in “Pride and Prejudice”), a former athlete turned Government minister. Additionally, there’s an abusive relationship between Tony and one of his employees, Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams), that is explored. A significant plot point debated during the writers’ meetings, which included Oscar-winning actor Stanley Tucci and Dominic Treadwell-Collins, was a scene where Campbell-Black inappropriately touches Taggie while she’s serving at an upscale dinner party.
According to Blunt, there was never any debate among the EPs about wanting to depict this event. It was a topic of discussion in our writers’ room. By discussing it, we could explore its implications from various angles. Questions like, “What impact will this have on the character?” and “Can we still sympathize with him?” were considered. Keeping in mind that we are in 2024, not 1986, we also had to consider how the audience would react to such a depiction.
The strategy was to transform the confrontation and its consequences into a defining point for Campbell-Black, marking the start of his reformation. As Blunt explains, any violent or sexual scenes must serve a purpose within the storyline; otherwise, they become overly dramatic or sensational. To maintain this approach, the production team brought on not just one but two intimacy coordinators for the series and made sure to limit the number of people present during sensitive scenes like the groping scene, ensuring a more private and focused environment.
Some actors might have been hesitant about participating in “Rivals” due to its explicit content; however, others found the intricate portrayal of complex relationships, both within and outside marriages, enticing. Tennant expresses this fascination by stating, “Exploring that moral gray area is what makes it tantalizing as an actor.” For instance, while Tony is unfaithful to his wife (portrayed by Claire Rushbrook), they still share moments of happiness and deep respect in their union, according to Tennant. Additionally, there’s the tumultuous and ultimately abusive relationship with Cameron. Tennant comments on this relationship, “The power dynamic is debatable,” referring to their employer-employee status, but also emphasizes that it’s not one-dimensional; instead, the relationship evolves and changes over time.
The climactic episode, where Tony strikes Cameron and she retaliates by hitting him with a gold television trophy – an unusual event for the show as it diverges from the book – was reimagined by the producers. Instead of just being beaten up like in Cooper’s adaptation, Cameron fights back, leaving Tony injured on the floor. As Blunt explains, “We didn’t want her to be solely a victim in that scene. We wanted and needed her to exhibit agency and strength, but we also wanted viewers to feel terrified leading into it.
As a film enthusiast, I can relate. If I were Tony, having just discovered that Cameron is involved with Rupert Campbell-Black, my feelings would be boiling over with justified fury and an uncontrollable rage. For someone like me who craves control in every aspect of life, this volatile state isn’t a comfortable or safe place to dwell. And given the precarious state of my own life, teetering on the edge as the final credits roll, it’s crucial that I find a way to regain control and navigate through this storm.
It’s uncertain if the TV show’s creator, along with the people of Rutshire, will produce another season. However, based on the enthusiasm shown by viewers in the U.K., there seems to be a strong possibility. This enthusiastic response has caught Tennant off guard. “I’ve been quite lucky – it doesn’t often happen that I get involved in something which gains such popularity and becomes a significant topic of public discussion, not just about the show itself, but also about the potential societal impact,” says Tennant, who is known for his roles in “Doctor Who” and “Broadchurch.” “It certainly seems like ‘Rivals’ has managed to break through in this way. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
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2024-11-21 01:49