The long-awaited television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's iconic novel Rivals is finally coming to screens, promising to bring the scandalous world of Rutshire to life in a major new series.
Disney+ has greenlit an eight-part adaptation of Cooper's beloved 1988 bonkbuster, which forms part of her famous Rutshire Chronicles. The series will be produced by the same team behind the successful adaptation of A Very English Scandal.
Star-Studded Production Team
Leading the creative vision is acclaimed writer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, known for his work on EastEnders and A Very English Scandal. He will serve as lead writer and executive producer, bringing his expertise in crafting compelling television drama to Cooper's complex world of ambition, sex, and power.
The production boasts an impressive team including Alexander Lamb, who will executive produce alongside Treadwell-Collins, ensuring the adaptation remains faithful to Cooper's original vision while appealing to contemporary audiences.
Bringing Rutshire to Life
Rivals transports viewers to the cutthroat world of television in the 1980s, following media mogul Rupert Campbell-Black and his rival Lord Tony Baddingham as they battle for control of a television franchise. The novel is renowned for its:
- Complex characters and relationships
- Scandalous plotlines
- Sharp social commentary
- Unforgettable romantic entanglements
The adaptation promises to capture the essence of Cooper's writing - the wit, the passion, and the unapologetic exploration of human desires and ambitions.
A New Era for Classic Novels
This adaptation marks a significant moment for literary adaptations, bringing one of Britain's most beloved contemporary authors to a new generation of viewers. The series will stream exclusively on Disney+, making it accessible to audiences worldwide who have followed Cooper's work for decades.
Fans of the Rutshire Chronicles can look forward to seeing their favourite characters and storylines brought to life with the production values and attention to detail that modern television audiences expect.
