The creators of the hit series 'Rivals' have heaped praise on Emily Atack, comparing her to the late Barbara Windsor for her performance as Sarah Stratton. Showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins said Atack reminds him of his friend Windsor, describing her as 'someone who you assume is a funny little bubbly blonde - and actually has a steel, and can control a room.'
Executive producer Felicity Blunt echoed the sentiment, calling Atack 'utterly brilliant' and likening her to 'Barbara Windsor crossed with a bit of Marilyn Monroe.' Blunt, who was formerly Jilly Cooper's literary agent, added that Atack's comedic talent is essential to her success in the role.
The second season of 'Rivals' features a host of returning stars including David Tennant, Danny Dyer, and Katherine Parkinson. The show has ramped up its sex scenes, with Treadwell-Collins noting they have included 'romantic sex, silly sex, bad sex' and even a virginity loss storyline. He said the team has been careful to consult actors extensively during filming.
One early scene features married couple Maud and Declan, played by Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Turner, in a steamy hotel shower encounter. Blunt praised the female power on display, saying Maud 'knows how to make it happen for him.' Other water-based scenes include a bath scene between Lizzie and Freddie, with Danny Dyer revealing a 'full frontal' shot obscured by 'strategically placed bubbles.'
Treadwell-Collins recalled that the late Dame Jilly Cooper saw early footage of season two just a week before her death and declared it 'even better' than the first. He said the show has helped overcome snobbery around Cooper's 'bonkbuster' novels, with Blunt adding that Cooper used such criticism as motivation to work harder.
