6 min readThe hotly-anticipated new television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's steamy 1988 novel Rivals comes to Disney+ in the UK on 18 October 2024.
The series revolves around the tense rivalry of two powerful men in 1980s Britain, with actors Alex Hassell and David Tennant playing the leads. Shooting for much of the series took place in Bristol last year, both on location across the city assisted by Bristol Film Office, and at The Bottle Yard Studios.
Image: Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals
Rivals follows the feud between rakish ex-showjumper and Conservative Party politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and his single-mindedly ambitious neighbour Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant), the egotistical controller of Corinium Television. Drama, romance, and scandal ensue as the titular rivals lock horns, pulling those around them into the crossfire whether they like it or not.
Image: David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham in Rivals
Particularly notable among the latter is popular TV presenter Declan O'Hara, played by Poldark star Aidan Turner, who is determined to get his revenge on Baddingham for failing to deliver on the promises he made to lure O'Hara to Corinium from the BBC.
Image: Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara in Rivals
Watch the series trailer here:
Tennant and Turner are no strangers to Bristol. The former visited the city centre in 2022 to film scenes for Doctor Who's 60th anniversary specials with co-star Catherine Tate, while the latter's work on Poldark took him both to The Bottle Yard Studios and locations across the city between 2015 and 2019.
The series also stars Luke Pasqualino as Bas Baddingham, another actor well-acquainted with Bristol thanks to his role in the third and fourth series of teen drama Skins, which was set and filmed in the city.
Image credit: Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones and Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones in Rivals
Other cast members include EastEnders favourite Danny Dyer, as well as Victoria Smurfit (‘Bloodlands’, ‘Once Upon A Time’), Bella Maclean (‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Sex Education’), Catriona Chandler (‘Pistol’, ‘Enola Holmes 2’), Nafessa Williams (‘Black Lighting’, ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’), Katherine Parkinson (‘Humans’, ‘Here We Go’), Oliver Chris (‘The Crown’, ‘Trying’), Lisa McGrillis (‘Maternal’, ‘Mum’), Claire Rushbrook (‘Sherwood’, ‘Ali and Ava’), Emily Atack (‘The Emily Atack Show, ‘The Inbetweeners’), and Rufus Jones (‘W1A’, ‘Home’).
Image: Oliver Chris as James Vereker and Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton in Rivals
Rivals filming locations in Bristol
Made by Happy Prince, the team behind the series based production at The Bottle Yard Studios' brand new 'TBY2' studio space, making Rivals the very first series to use the state-of-the-art facility. While the studio was used for shooting interior scenes, the cast and crew also headed out to film on location at some of the city's distinctive districts, attractions, and restaurants, thanks to Bristol Film Office.
Image - David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, and Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara in Rivals
Corn Street, Old City
The scenic thoroughfare through Bristol's historic Old City formed the backdrop for a scene in episode 7 of the series, set at a glamourous red-carpet 'British Television Awards' ceremony in London, with the Harbour Hotel serving as the awards venue. The distinctive doors and facade of The Exchange Hall at the city's beloved St Nicholas Market can also be seen in the background of some shots.
Stars Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, David Tennant, Emily Atack and Nafessa Williams were all spotted wearing black-tie suits and elaborate dresses, alongside a 1980s-era BBC camera car and luxury vehicles from the period, as well as a red London Routemaster bus.
Get a sneak peek of the filming on Corn Street below:
Aerospace Bristol
Set in the north of the city, this award-winning museum tells the fascinating story of Bristol's numerous achievements in aviation, including its key role in the development of Concorde. The site is also home to the last Concorde to fly, Alpha Foxtrot, which was used for filming scenes set aboard the legendary supersonic airliner.
Why not treat yourself to Aerospace Bristol's Concorde Experience gift package for two, giving you exclusive access to the jet after hours? Live like first-class Concorde passengers in the 1980s with champagne in the front-row seats, and learn about the plane's remarkable history from an expert host. You'll also enjoy complimentary museum admission for a year, allowing you to revisit as much as you'd like.
Image: Rivals filming at Aerospace Bristol, credit Adam Jones
Queen Square
One of Bristol's best-known parks, this magnificent Georgian square forms a peaceful green oasis between the bustling city centre and Harbourside area, making it a popular spot for Bristolians to relax, play, eat and drink.
The production team transformed one side of the square into the fictional 'Russet Street' in London, adding fake road signs and newspaper stands, to film scenes featuring Victoria Smurfit's character Maud O'Hara in episode 5 and Danny Dyer's character Freddie Jones in episode 6. During the latter shoot, Dyer drove a Sinclair C5, an infamous electric tricycle created in the 1980s.
Night photography also took place on the square for scenes featuring David Tennant and Nafessa Williams' characters in episode 7, when the two share a moment of intimacy next to the statue of William III in the centre of the square.
Image: Queen Square
Other Bristol filming locations
Additional filming for the series took place at Cosy Club, also based on Corn Street, just steps away from the Harbour Hotel. The relaxed all-day restaurant and bar is set within the majestic surroundings of a former banking hall designed by Bristolian architect W.B. Gingell in 1864, and prides itself on offering delicious dishes and top-notch tipples. It is here that Katherine Parkinson's character Lizzie Vereker meets her literary agent, played by Felicity Kendal, in episode 5 of the series. None other than Jilly Cooper herself also makes a cameo appearance in the same scene!
Image: Cosy Club Bristol
The external shots for the Corinium TV were also filmed in the seaside town of Clevedon, near Bristol.
All eight episodes of Rivals will be available to stream on Disney+ in the UK and worldwide from Friday 18 October 2024.
Read more:
- 8 ways to have an 1980s ‘Rivals’ inspired break in Bristol
- Film & TV in Bristol
- Bristol UNESCO City of Film
- Cinema and Film Events in Bristol
All Rivals images credit: Disney+
Image - Antony Byrne as Ginger Baines, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, and Denise Black as Joyce Madden in Rivals
