Disney’s popular production, “Rivals”, was brimming with lavish events filled with endless champagne. Last night, its author, Dame Jilly Cooper, even held a lively gathering of her own, serving up drinks.
While filming for the second season is at its peak, the writer hosted a grand party at her residence in Gloucestershire, inviting the entire cast.
Seen arriving at the party was actress Emily Atack, 35, who plays Sarah Stratton in the bonkbuster.
She lovingly placed her arm around a colleague as she showed off her blonde up do hairstyle.
At the same occasion, 54-year-old actor David Tennant, known for portraying Tony Baddingham on TV, made an entrance accompanied by Victoria Smurfit, who is also 51 years old.
The Irish actress, starring as Maud O’Hara on the series, made quite an impression wearing a long, white gown adorned with multicolored polka dots.
At the event, alongside Declan O’Hara’s on-screen spouse, the character portrayed by Aiden Turner, who is known for his mustache and is 42 years old, was present as well.
In this scenario, he sat up front, and Alex Hassell, the actor portraying Rupert Campbell-Black, took the back seat at 44 years old.
Apart from the competing teams, an additional guest of honor, Dame Jilly, aged 87, also brought along her friend Andrew Parker-Bowles – ex-husband to Queen Camilla – who was chauffeured onto the estate by his daughter Laura.
In various accounts, it’s been suggested that Parker-Bowles serves as the muse for Rupert Campbell-Black, the charming womanizer often featured in her books.
In an interview for the How To Fail podcast, I excitedly shared that the aristocrat character from my steamy 1988 novel, whom I portrayed as ‘the most handsome man in England,’ was modeled after none other than Camilla’s notoriously roguish ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles.
The author suggests that the charismatic former Army officer, Parker Bowles (known as a notorious ladies’ man in London), served as one of the sources of inspiration for the portrayal of the sexually adventurous character.
Dame Jilly remarked, “He has been my good friend for a considerable period of time, much like Rupert. He possesses striking beauty, with golden hair, and is absolutely captivating.
At the gathering yesterday, an unexpected addition to the guest list was none other than Rupert Everett, aged 66. The news broke just yesterday that he would be working with renowned actress Haley Atwell on this project.
Actress Hayley Atwell, known for her role in Mission Impossible, is set to portray Helen Gordon – the former spouse of Rupert Campbell-Black and the mother of their two kids, Marcus and Tabitha.
In a fascinating turn of events, Rupert Everett, known for portraying Napoleon, will assume the role of Campbell Black’s mentor and former horse-jumping coach, who is now her husband.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the executive producer of our rivals, expressed immense excitement about having Hayley and Rupert on board to portray Jilly Cooper’s iconic characters, Helen and Malise Gordon.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, let me share my excitement about the second season of Rivals. Not only does it feature an array of fresh, exceptional talents gracing our screens, but it also brings back some truly brilliant actors from previous seasons. This ensemble showcases the very pinnacle of British and Irish acting prowess!
Looking forward to revealing more star-studded cast members soon, we’re eager for you all to find out what’s coming up in the lives of Rutshire’s residents.
It comes as Rivals star Emily Atack revealed she loves being typecast as a man-eating siren.
Emily shared with the Edinburgh Television Festival: “For my entire career, I’ve been cast in roles that are sensual, and I’ve enjoyed each and every moment of it. I plan to continue portraying such characters as long as they want me to.
As a devotee, I’m proud to say that I follow an exceptionally talented actress and comedian who has garnered recognition for her captivating performances. Some of her notable roles include the charming Charlotte Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners and the alluring blonde bombshell Sarah Stratton in Rivals.
In the Disney+ show, her character initially serves as the mistress and subsequently becomes the second wife of a fictional politician named Paul Stratton. Later, she engages in an extramarital relationship with the charismatic yet married man Rupert Campbell-Black.
Ms. Atack acknowledged that despite these women being criticized for their actions, she could relate to the character as she too had made some “poor choices” in her romantic endeavors.
She commented: “Characters resembling Sarah Stratton, they’ve often been portrayed without complexity, rather as specific types of women, these stereotyped women often labeled as ‘home wreckers.’ I believe many people have been hesitant to acknowledge that they relate to characters like Sarah.
I didn’t hesitate to relate to her deeply. Essentially, I feel like an extension of her. I must admit, I’m far from perfect, and my romantic choices have often been less than ideal.
‘I used all of that completely. It was completely genuine.
The women often labeled as problematic are not praised for their actions, but instead, there is a growing effort to empathize with and comprehend them better.
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2025-08-21 15:19