Rivals star Alex Hassell has revealed that Dame Jilly Cooper visited the set of series two just days before she died, aged 88, earlier this month
Jilly Cooper visited the set of Rivals just days before she died. The writer, who died aged 88 earlier this month, was the author of the bonkbuster novel that the beloved show is based on.
The 2024 drama, Rivals, premiered on Disney Plus to great acclaim and saw Alex Hassell in the lead role of Rupert Campbell-Black, a Tory politician and former Olympic showjumper who goes head to head with David Tennant’s tyrannical network TV boss, Tony Baddingham.
Jilly wrote the original novel in the 1980s. Production on series two, which follows the second half of the book, began earlier this year and, according to Alex, Jilly was able to see the set before she died on 5 October.
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Alex told Metro: “We’re all devastated. She was on set just the week before and, obviously, her voice and her character and her sense of creativity were such a huge driving force of the show in terms of the source material.
” She would okay everything, or we would hear that things have changed because she didn’t think that certain things characters do are quite right or representative of her view of the characters. But we also really want to honour her and try and do our best to keep making the show as good as possible. “
He also teased info about series two and said it was” bigger””, funnier “and” darker “than the last”. And really, season two is so much]more] interesting because it’s bigger, it’s funnier, it’s darker, it’s more serious, it’s more challenging. It’s brighter as well, it’s wilder. It’s everything pulled into it, every dimension. “
At the time of her death, Alex posted a sweet tribute to Jilly and revealed what she thought of the first few episodes ‘ scripts. He posted a picture of himself kissing the author on the cheek.
He wrote, “So sorry to have lost our wonderful Jilly,” in the caption. I’m so incredibly appreciative of getting to know her. My life was completely altered by this magical woman.
She was such a generous spirited person to be around, aside from the incredible wealth of joy, comfort, and excitement her writing has provided to so many.
She portrayed her hero Rupert in a way that was so kind and encouraging to me. I’m so happy I saw her on the other day, and she reportedly said she was proud of me last time.
“Gorgeous and considerate of every need. She will be greatly missed. We’ll do everything in our power to honor her. At this difficult time, my thoughts are with her family and loved ones.
The Rutshire Chronicles, a collection of books that follow the scandalous behavior of the upper classes in bedrooms, was Jilly’s best work. The second book is called Riders, the first one to follow showjumpers and feature Rupert as the villain.
Source: Mirror
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