October 20th 2024.
Get ready to dive into the cut-throat world of 1980s regional television in the new series Rivals. Starring Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara, a Parkinson-style TV presenter who becomes a pawn in the bitter rivalry between TV executive Lord Tony Baddingham and Rupert Campbell-Black. As the show launches, Aidan revealed that this world isn't completely unfamiliar to him, having experienced his own ascent to TV stardom which he describes as "pretty cut-throat even from friends".
Aidan admits that there are similarities between his own experience and the ruthless world of Rivals, where Lord Baddingham will stop at nothing to achieve success, even if it means pushing morals and good taste aside. "It's in every profession at a certain level," Aidan reflects, "It does get a bit ruthless." He goes on to share his memories of competing for the same roles as his friends in his 20s, where things could get pretty cut-throat. He notes that this dynamic of competition and transactional relationships is also present in Rivals, mirroring his own experience of rising up the ranks.
For his role as Declan, Aidan drew inspiration from American political commentator William F Buckley and his own father. He explains, "I sprinkled a bit of my own father in there – the way he talks, his tone, and the way he holds himself. He also rocked a 'tache in the 80s and 90s. I've been dying to play him for years." And his dad had no idea until he informed him prior to the release of Rivals.
Joining Aidan at The Soho Hotel in London is co-star Nafessa Williams, who plays the cold-blooded and career-driven producer Cameron Cooke. Nafessa also used her family for inspiration in her performance, drawing on memories of her mother, aunt, and grandmother. "I had very vivid memories of how they looked and how they dressed, and just how they carried themselves," she explains.
Nafessa admits that working with her co-star David, who plays Lord Baddingham, could be "scary" at times. "He's so brilliant," she says, "And it was amazing to act opposite him. He's great, but he could be very scary too, right?" Lord Baddingham is just one of the morally bankrupt characters in Rivals. Another is Declan's wife Maud O'Hara, played by Victoria Smurfit. When asked if it's challenging to play a despicable character, Victoria responds with enthusiasm, "I absolutely love it! You get the freedom to actually think the thoughts you're not supposed to think and do the things you're not supposed to."
Victoria goes on to explain that although she can't judge her character Maud, she understands that other people can. She also shares that she and her on-screen daughter, Taggie (played by Bella), would hug it out after filming particularly intense scenes because Maud is not the type of mother she would be in real life.
Bella, who plays Taggie, reveals that she and Alex, who plays Rupert, became good friends early on in filming. Despite their significant age gap, they were able to film intimate scenes with the help of intimacy coordinators and a supportive team. As the series is released on Disney Plus, the cast is excited for viewers to experience the thrilling drama of Rivals.
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