Piglet Pandemonium Disrupts Production of Disney+ Series Rivals
Filming for the highly anticipated new series of Rivals on Disney+ was reportedly thrown into disarray by an unexpected and boisterous porcine performer. Producers for the streaming show initially thought it would add a touch of humour to introduce a piglet as a charming accessory in one particular scene, adorning the animal with a miniature bow tie and having an actor carry it gently in their arms.
On-Set Mayhem and Wardrobe Woes
However, the plan quickly unravelled as the young pig is said to have caused significant chaos. The animal reportedly defecated on several actors' costumes and emitted such loud, persistent screeches that it completely ruined multiple takes, forcing the production team to halt filming repeatedly. Crew members on set speculated that the unfamiliar environment and bright lights may have severely distressed the piglet, triggering its disruptive behaviour.
Despite the frustrations, some cast members demonstrated notable compassion towards the struggling animal. Danny Dyer, in particular, was said to have taken great pity on the swine, affectionately nicknamed 'Leftie' by the team. A source close to the production revealed the actor's kind-hearted intervention to The Sun newspaper.
Dyer's Brave Intervention and Production Demands
'There is one scene where it has to get chased around a courtyard, which took several takes,' the insider explained. 'Some were suggested it was exhausted but the director wanted to keep going to get the shots they needed. Danny in particular felt sorry for Leftie and tried to calm it down with a little hug – which was brave of him as he was wearing a white shirt and dickie bow at the time.'
In response to inquiries about the incident, a spokesperson for Happy Prince, the production company behind Rivals, issued a firm statement regarding their protocols. 'The health, safety and welfare of animals on set is of paramount importance. Happy Prince complies with all relevant animal welfare laws and regulations and maintains exemplary production practices.'
Context of a Raunchy and Successful Series
This porcine predicament occurred against the backdrop of the show's continued success and its famously steamy content. Danny Dyer recently disclosed that there is so much intimate activity, or 'bonking', in Rivals 2 – which is currently in production – that the team has essentially hired every available intimacy coach in the United Kingdom.
The actor, who portrays self-made businessman Freddie Jones, elaborated on the challenges and peculiarities of filming such scenes. 'We are doing 12 episodes of Rivals and we are filming until March next year. It is brilliant but it is a mad thing to do a sex scene. If you think about it you are legally allowed to tongue someone else. It is part of your job. Depending on your partner. It is OK if you fancy it, I am not going to lie.' He added, 'On Rivals there are a lot of intimacy coaches. I think we used every intimacy coach in the land.'
Dyer's Career Resurgence and Critical Acclaim
The smash-hit Disney+ show, adapted from Jilly Cooper's novel, has significantly boosted Dyer's career, leading to a reassessment of his acting prowess beyond his long-running role in EastEnders. His performance as Freddie Jones, who falls for romance author Lizzie Vereker (played by Katherine Parkinson), has been praised for bringing genuine heart to the frothy, dramatic series.
This acclaim was recently cemented when Dyer was awarded a BAFTA last month for Best Male Performance in a Comedy for his work in Mr Bigstuff. Reflecting on his career trajectory in an interview with Esquire magazine, the actor acknowledged a shift in his professional standing. 'People saw me in a different light [in Rivals], and it came out just after Mr. Bigstuff, which, for once, shows a bit of versatility... I've made a lot mistakes over the years. I've said yes to a lot of jobs I probably shouldn't have... Now, I'm at a stage where I have loads of offers that I've got the power to say no to. I think I'll be defined by what I say no to, and it's really exciting for me.'
During his emotional BAFTA acceptance speech, Dyer humorously remarked, 'What a touch! Comedy performance. I thought my acting was so bad it was funny.' He dedicated the award to writer Ryan Sampson, calling him 'one of the best actors this country's ever produced.' The initial run of Rivals comprised eight episodes, but due to its popularity, Disney+ has commissioned an expanded series for the upcoming season, ensuring more drama, romance, and perhaps even unexpected animal encounters are on the horizon.
