On October 15th, 2024, Disney+ hosted a Gala Screening at Regent Street Cinema for their upcoming Jilly Cooper adaptation RIVALS, which will premiere on 18th October exclusively on Disney+ in the UK.
The original eight-part blockbuster is based on the iconic novel by Dame Jilly Cooper – part of her Rutshire Chronicles series, which is packed full of romantic entanglements, dastardly deals, sex and wit. 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.
Photo Credit: Dave Benett.
The cast of the upcoming bonkbuster were out in force at the screening event including Alex Hassell (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”, “The Boys”), Aidan Turner (“Poldark”, “The Suspect”), Bella Maclean (“Spring Awakening”, “Sex Education”), Danny Dyer (“EastEnders”, “The Football Factory”), Emily Atack (“The Emily Atack Show”, “The Inbetweeners”), Victoria Smurfit (“Bloodlands”, “Once Upon A Time”), Claire Rushbrook (“Sherwood”, “Ali & Ava”), Oliver Chris (“The Crown”, “Trying”), Lisa McGrillis (“Maternal”, “Mum”), Rufus Jones (“W1A”, “Home”), Luke Pasqualino (“Skins”, “Shantaram”), Catriona Chandler ( “Pistol”, “Enola Holmes 2”), Gabriel Tierney (“Enola Holmes 2”, “Winter King”), Emma Shipp, Gary Lamont (“Boiling Point“, “Outlander“), Lara Peake (“Mood”, “Born To Kill”) and more.
“Rivals” is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (‘A Very English Scandal’, ‘Holding’, ‘EastEnders’), Alexander Lamb (‘Ackley Bridge’, ‘The Bay’, ‘We Hunt Together’), Felicity Blunt, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (‘The Riot Club’), “Rivals” author Dame Jilly Cooper and Director of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA Lee Mason.
“Rivals” 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 (‘The Baby’, ‘Sex Education’), Marek Horn (‘Wild Swimming’, ‘Octopolis’), Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor (‘The Accidental Husband’), Dare Aiyegbayo (‘The Dumping Ground,’ ‘EastEnders’), Kefi Chadwick (‘Looted’, ‘Avoidance’). Tray Agyeman is a shadow writer on episode 6, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh (‘The Pink Pill’) is staff writer in the room.
The Casting Director is Kelly Valentine Hendry (‘Bridgerton’, ‘The Last Kingdom’, ‘Kaos’). The lead director is BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty (‘Ted Lasso, Cheaters’, ‘Trying’), who also serves as executive producer on episodes 1-4. Eliza Mellor (‘The Midwich Cuckoos’, ‘Behind Her Eyes’, ‘Poldark’) serves as Series Producer. Dee Koppang O’Leary (“The Crown”) and Alexandra Brodski (“Somewhere Boy”) also direct episodes.
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