October 18th 2024.
Next on the agenda is the highly anticipated drama, Rivals. The show introduces us to the charming ladies' man, Rupert Campbell-Black, played by the talented Alex Hassell. In his first appearance, we witness his steamy encounter with a journalist in the cramped quarters of a plane's bathroom. And that's just the beginning.
Without skipping a beat, Rupert dives into a game of naked tennis with Sarah Stratton, played by Emily in the first episode of this adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel. In an interview with Metro before the show's launch, 44-year-old Alex revealed that there were discussions about whether he would bare it all on screen. Ultimately, he decided to take the plunge and go all in. "We just went for it," he said, "My hair is dyed, I have a fake tan, and my eyelashes are curled, but other than that, it's all me."
It's safe to say that this eight-part series has stayed true to the source material and doesn't shy away from its steamy scenes. In fact, it embraces them, starting off with back-to-back lovemaking from its star-studded cast. Alex also shared that there were discussions about using prosthetics or digital effects for his naked tennis scene, but in the end, they went with the real deal. In the show, Rupert and Emily's character, Sarah, play tennis in the buff.
But it's not just Alex who had to get comfortable with filming intimate scenes. David Tennant, who plays Lord Tony Baddingham, a TV executive locked in a fierce rivalry with Rupert, and also juggling a passionate affair with producer Cameron, admitted that these scenes never get easier. He shared that the environment on set is crucial in making everyone feel safe and comfortable. The addition of an intimacy coordinator has been extremely beneficial, as it ensures that the actors are taken care of during these vulnerable moments.
For Danny Dyer, who plays wealthy businessman Freddie Jones, Rivals is not just about the steamy sex scenes. It's a complex portrayal of different types of love. In fact, when he watched the first episode, he became emotional and even teared up. Joined by Katherine Parkinson, who plays Freddie's love interest, writer Lizzie Vereker, Danny shared that they both got choked up during the screening. Katherine added that there was a particular moment that got to her. "It was just so beautifully shot, and the music added to it," Danny said, describing why he got emotional.
Unlike the other characters in Rivals, Freddie and Lizzie's relationship doesn't start off in the bedroom. It's pure and innocent, at least in the first four episodes given for review. Katherine described their bond as romantic and beautiful, formed through a mutual understanding of feeling underappreciated by their partners. And it didn't take much for the actors to develop chemistry. They had met before at an awards ceremony, and Katherine had even asked Danny to record a video message for her neighbor, a big fan of his. When Katherine saw the script, she immediately thought of Danny for the role, and was disappointed when he wasn't initially available. But luckily, he found the time to join the cast, and their natural chemistry shines on screen.
With a star-studded cast, including Aidan Turner as TV presenter Declan O'Hara, Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham, Victoria Smurfit as Maud O'Hara, and Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara, Rivals takes us into the intense world of regional TV and the romantic escapades of the British elite in the fictional county of Rutshire in the 1980s. You can catch all the drama and steamy scenes on Disney Plus. Got a story to share? We'd love to hear from you. Contact our entertainment team via email, phone, or visit our Submit Stuff page.
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