Rivals cast on Disney+: Who plays who in the Jilly Cooper adaptation, including surprising father and daughter duo
The seriously good line-up includes David Tennant, Alex Hassell, and Aidan Turner
Rivals on Disney+ is a seriously fun adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s steamy novel of the same name, and the cast includes some of the best British actors on screen right now.
The male leads include Poldark’s Aidan Turner, Doctor Who’s David Tennant, The Boys’ Alex Hassell, and EastEnders’ Danny Dyer.
Meanwhile, the strong female cast is led by Here We Go’s Katherine Parkinson, Sherwood’s Claire Rushbrook, Maternal’s Lisa McGrillis, and Bloodlands’ Victoria Smurfitt. And every single person is perfectly cast in the sexy drama.
So who plays who in the cast of Rivals series 1 and 2? Here’s what you need to know.
Who plays Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals on Disney+?
Essex-born actor Alex Hassell stars as Rupert Campbell-Black in the cast of Rivals. Rupert is a dashing ex-Olympian, MP, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic! Infamously, Jilly Cooper drew her “inspiration” for Rupert from Queen Camilla’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles.
Before getting his bits out in Rivals, 45-year-old Alex was perhaps most famous for playing Translucent in the cast of the superhero drama The Boys. He also portrayed Vicious in the TV series Cowboy Bebop, Metatron in His Dark Materials, Felix Nash in Bonkers, and Rick in Everything Now.
He’s been in multiple films, including Cold Mountain, The Isle, Violent Night, and Young Woman and the Sea. He’s also known for his theatre work, and recently played Hal in Henry IV Parts I and II for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Alex most recently portrayed convict Paul in the prison drama Wasteman.
Late author Dame Jilly Cooper, who acted as executive producer on the series, said: “The minute we met with Alex we knew he’d perfectly embody my all-time hero, the iconic, racy, ruthless, and devastatingly handsome, Rupert Campbell-Black. Viewers are in for a treat!”
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Rivals cast on Disney+: David Tennant is Lord Tony Baddingham
David Tennant plays Lord Tony Baddingham in the cast of Rivals on Disney+. Baddingham is controller of Corinium Television and Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical rival. It’s a very rare evil role for the ridiculously likeable David Tennant.
Of course, Scottish actor David, 55, needs no introduction to TV audiences. Doctor Who fans will know him best for playing The Doctor from 2005 to 2013 (and then again in 2023).
Drama fans will also know him for playing DI Carlisle in Blackpool, DI Alec Hardy in Broadchurch, and Tom Kendrick in Deadwater Fell.
David infamously played serial killer Dennis Nilsen in 2020’s Des, a role that left TV viewers shuddering with horror. More recently, he played a caricature version of himself in lockdown comedy Staged, Alexander Litvinenko in ITVX’s haunting Litvinenko, and Crowley in Good Omens.
David Tennant works with his daughter in Rivals series 2
David Tennant’s very own daughter Olive joins the cast of Rivals in series 2. And she plays his character’s daughter! Not much acting required there!
Talking about working with his youngest daughter, he said on The One Show: “Well, we get to know Tony’s two daughters in this series. And one of them is played by my actual daughter Olive. She has been acting for a few years now. It’s lovely for me to have her there.”
He added: “Our exec Dominic Treadwell-Collins called just before he finalised the casting. He wanted to check it was okay with me, as my character has some quite big emotional stuff coming up. Dominic asked if that would be difficult in front of me daughter. I mean for me, I’m looking in the eyes of my actual daughter and it’s very moving.”
Fifteen-year-old Olive Tennant – the daughter of David and Georgia Tennant – has previously appeared opposite her dad in the 2017 film You, Me and Him.
Aiden Turner stars as Declan O’Hara in the cast of Rivals
Dublin-born actor Aidan Turner, 42, stars as Declan O’Hara. He’s a charismatic TV presenter, who becomes caught in the crossfire of the long-simmering feud between Rupert and Tony. Like David Tennant, Aidan is a very popular TV actor known for a multitude of primetime roles.
Aidan made his on-screen debut back in 2007, when he portrayed Bedoli in one episode of The Tudors. He subsequently won the leading role of (vampire) Mitchell in the BBC’s acclaimed Being Human.
Poldark fas will know him best for his role as the titular character in the BBC One period drama. He played the role from 2015 and 2019.
Aidan’s also portrayed Dante Gabriel Rossetti in Desperate Romantics, Ruair McGowan in The Clinic, and Philip Lombard in Then There Were None. Meanwhile, J.R.R. Tolkien fans will know him as Kli in the Hobbit film franchise.
More recently, Aidan portrayed Leonardo da Vinci in the popular Amazon Prime Series Leonardo, Dr Joe O’Loughlin in the gripping ITV thriller The Suspect, and Glenn Lapthorn in Fifteen-Love. He also popped up as Callum Ellis in The Diplomat.
Rivals cast: Victoria Smurfit plays Declan’s wife Maud
Maud O’Hara is Declan’s flame-haired, bohemian actress wife. A stage star in her youth and the toast of Dublin, she and Declan fell in love quickly. In series 1, panicking that her beauty was fading. she found gratification in chasing other men – including Rupert Campbell-Black.
Irish actress Victoria Smurfit, 52, stars as Declan’s wife Maud O’Hara. Victoria is probably best known for playing Orla O’Connell in the BBC television series Ballykissangel. She’s also recognised for portraying Detective Chief Inspector Roisin Connor in the ITV police procedural series Trial & Retribution.
Once Upon a Time fans will know her for her brilliant turn as Cruella de Vil. More recently, Victoria starred as Olivia Foyle in the James Nesbitt thriller Bloodlands. She’s been in dozens of films, too, including The Beach, About a Boy, Bulletproof Monk, and Deadly Cuts.
Usually blonde, she wears a red wig for the role of Maud.
Who is playing Taggie O’Hara in Rivals?
US-born actress Bella Maclean, 28, portrays Taggie O’Hara in the cast of Rivals series 1 and 2. She’s Declan’s eldest daughter who finds herself attracted to her neighbour Rupert Campbell-Black. Never mind the age gap, we know he’ll break her heart!
Sex Education fans will know her best for playing Jem in series 4. Before that, she portrayed Sara Mendes in two episodes of Silent Witness in 2023. Bella, a relative newcomer compared to many of her cast mates, has also stared in two short films called Dragged Up, and La La Means I Love You.
She studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Rivals cast on Disney+: Catriona Chandler plays Caitlin O’Hara
Caitlin is an angsty, hormonal teen, full of rebellious spirit, and an acerbic wit. Growing up with famous parents, in a chaotic household, she’s wise beyond her years…
Hertfordshire-born actress Catriona Chandler, 24, is a relative newbie compared to some of her co-stars. Her first significant TV role was playing Jeannie in the 2022 TV series Pistol.
That same year, she portrayed Agatha Gowerdale in the film Enola Holmes 2. More recently, she starred as Sky Morgan in the Channel 5 thriller The Wives, and Iris Milanovic in Wild Cherry.
Nafessa Williams plays Cameron Cook
American actress Nafessa Williams leads the cast as former Corinium Head of Drama Cameron Cook. Tony Baddingham brings the ferociously talented American TV executive to England to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show. But anyone who watched series 1 will know that didn’t end well.
Pennsylvanian Nafessa Williams, 36, came to fame portraying Deanna Forbes in the US TV series One Life to Live, a role she played in 2011. The actress went on to play Dr Charlotte Piel in Code Black, Jade in the 2017 series of Twin Peaks, and Anissa Pierce – aka Thunder – in the superhero series Black Lightning.
More recently, she starred as Robyn Crawford in the Whitney Houston film I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Rivals cast on Disney+: Katherine Parkinson stars as Lizzie Vereker
London-born actress Katherine Parkinson, 47, plays Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist regularly overlooked by her self-centred husband. In fact, she seemed to be the only one not getting any sex as series 1 began – until Freddie Jones came along that is…
Although she seems a tad dowdier than her glamorous counterparts, she’s by far the most likeable character, and is the storyteller of the series.
Katherine is known for playing Jen Barber in Channel 4’s The IT Crowd, a role she played between 2006 and 2013. Doc Martin fans will know her as Pauline Lamb, the clinic receptionist for three series, from 2005 to 2009.
She co-starred in all three series of Humans, played Kim in In the Club, Lauren in Spreadsheet, and Anna in Significant Other.
More recently, she’s portrayed the fabulously quirky Rachel Jessop in Here We Go, opposite Jim Howick.
Oliver Chris stars as James Vereker
Tunbridge Wells-born actor Oliver Chris, 47, portrays Lizzie’s egomaniac husband James Vereker. He is the anchor-man of Corinium television’s regional evening news magazine show, whose nose was put out of joint by the arrival of megastar Declan O’Hara in series 1.
Oliver is best known for his comedic roles. One of his first ever TV roles was playing Ricky Howard in The Office in 2001. He went on to portray Luke Chatwin in Rescue Me, Geoff Sweet in Sweet Medicine, and Ryan in According to Bex.
Between 2004 and 2006, he starred as Boyce in the brilliant C4 comedy Green Wing. He’s also played Richard Truscott in Breathless, Nick in Bluestone 42, and Guy Cavendish in Maternal. Motherland fans will recognise him as the largely absent husband of long-suffering Julia.
More recently, Oliver played Basil Sinclaire in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, and Freddy in Trying.
Rivals cast on Disney+: Emily Atack plays Sarah Stratton
Luton-born Emily Atack plays the ambitious Sarah Stratton, the disgruntled wife to deputy prime minister, Paul Stratton.
An ambitious woman in a man’s world, she is determined to better the hand that life has dealt her and climb to the top the only way she can… Her first appearance on screen in series 1 was, well, totally naked!
Emily Atack, 36, came to fame playing Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the E4 comedy series The Inbetweeners between 2008 and 2010. The comic and actress appeared in Lemon La Vida Loca, The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, and The Keith & Paddy Picture Show.
She took part in the fifth series of Dancing on Ice in 2010. And subsequently appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2018 (she was runner-up).
In 2020, she got her own comedy series The Emily Atack Show. She’s also known for being the daughter of comedian and actress Kate Robbins – who happens to pop up as a guest star in series 2!
Claire Rushbrook stars as Monica Baddingham
Actress Claire Rushbrook portrays Lady Monica Baddingham in the cast of Rivals on Disney+. Monica epitomises the British “stiff upper lip”. She prefers the company of her golden Labradors to the glamorous world of her husband’s TV company. She’s one of the few people that Tony can trust.
Herfordshire-born Claire, 54, has been on our screens for more than three decades. She’s known for both drama and comedy, having played Michelle Fenton in Linda Green, Carrie in Carrie & Barry, and Meg in The Fades.
Between 2009 and 2013, Claire portrayed Dr Caroline Llewellyn in Whitechapel, before playing Rae’s Mum in My Big Fat Diary, and Pat Simms in Home Fires.
More recently, she starred as Caryl in Wilderness, Cathy Rowley in Sherwood, and Sarah Ferguson in A Very Royal Scandal. And the resemblance was uncanny!
Rivals cast on Disney+: Rufus Jones portrays Paul Stratton
Deputy Prime Minister Paul Stratton is played by Rufus Jones. Paul is a vain, patronising, ruthless careerist and hypocritical Conservative MP in the throes of a midlife crisis. In series 1, he married his glamorous secretary Sarah.
Londoner Rufus Jones, 50, first appeared on TV as Crispin in the series White Teeth in 2002. He subsequently portrayed Nelson in Mongrels, Nick Edwards in Bob Servant Independent, and Prop Maartie in Edge of Heaven.
Between 2012 and 2015, he starred as Dr Foggerty in the Julia Davis comedy Hunderby, before playing Tom in Camping – also created by Julia Davis.
Rufus is perhaps most famous for playing David Wilkes in W1A, Mark in Flack, or Peter in Home, which he also wrote. He recently played Jenkins in the movie Wonka.
Luke Pasqualino stars as Bas Baddingham
Peterborough-born actor Luke Pasqualino, 36, stars as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Tony’s younger brother. He’s the proprietor of Cotchester hot spot, Bar Sinister, and leads a charmed existence.
Luke’s most famous for playing Freddie McClair in Skins, and d’Artagnan in The Musketeers. In 2013, he played a supporting role in the science fiction film Snowpiercer, opposite Chris Evans.
Luke went on to play the ill-fated Elvis Harte in Our Girl from 2016 to 2017. Viewers were devastated when his character died. Elvis was killed by a bomb in Afghanistan during series three – just when he and Georgie’s relationship was finally getting back on track.
Luke has also had roles in Casualty, Miranda, Snatch and Inside No.9. Most recently, he’s played Maurizio in Shantaram, David Kostyk in Shadow and Bone, and Xavier Valens in Rematch.
Rivals stars Danny Dyer plays Freddie Jones in the cast
Londoner Danny Dyer plays self-made electronics millionaire Freddie Jones, one of the few honourable men in the series…
Of course, 48-year-old Danny is probably best known for playing Mick Carter in EastEnders, a role he played for 10 years between 2013 and 2023.
Since leaving the BBC soap, he’s portrayed Steve Cameron in Channel 5 thriller Heat, himself in comedy Henpocalypse!, and Lee in Mr Bigstuff.
He’s also known for his role in films including Human Traffic, The Football Factory, and Severance.
Lisa McGrillis stars as Valerie Jones
Valerie is the childhood sweetheart of electronics multimillionaire Freddie Jones. She’s a prudish snob who constantly belittles Freddie for his weight, and is unable to see that she already has everything she could ever want.
Gloucestershire,-born Lisa McGrillis stars as Valerie Jones. Maternal fans will know her as Dr Helen Cavendish in the ITV medical drama.
However, the 43-year-old actress is probably best known for playing Kelly in the BBC comedy series Mum. She also played Rachel Coles in the BBC crime drama Inspector George Gently.
Lisa starred as Sandra McKay in the David Tennant mini-series Deadwater Fell in 2020, and played Mad Kay in the comedy series King Gary.
Recently, she starred in Romesh Ranganathan’s comedy series Avoidance, and also joined Channel 4’s Somewhere Boy as Sue. Other notable roles include Joanna in Sex Education, Brenda in Best Interests, and Caroline McCoy in No Offence.
Hayley Atwell stars as Rupert’s ex-wife Helen in Rivals series 2
London-born actress Hayley Atwell, 44, joins the cast of Rivals series 2 as Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother to his two children.
After starting her career on the West End, she soon made a name for herself in period dramas including Brideshead Revisited, The Duchess, and the miniseries The Pillars of the Earth. Before long, the award nominations started rolling in.
She is probably most famous for playing Agent Peggy Carter in the 2011 Marvel film Captain America: The First Avenger. Hayley subsequently reprised the role in later productions such as the ABC television series Agent Carter, which ran from 2015 to 2016.
Her film career includes roles in Cinderella, Christopher Robin, and Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. She had a leading role in the action films Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning in 2023, and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in 2025).
Rupert Everett plays Malise Gordon
Veteran actor Rupert Everett joins the cast as Helen’s new husband Malise Gordon. He was a former friend and father figure to Rupert Campbell-Black. So it all makes things a *tad* awkward. Actually, Malise a good guy who wants to keep his former protégé on the straight and narrow.
Norfolk-born Rupert, 66, is famous for his career across theatre, film, and TV. He received a BAFTA nomination and Golden Globe Award nomination for his role in My Best Friend’s Wedding in 1997, followed by a second Golden Globe nomination for An Ideal Husband in 1999.
He voiced Prince Charming in the animated films Shrek 2, and its sequel Shrek the Third. As well as dozens of film roles, he’s known for playing Charles V Holy Roman Emperor in The Serpent Queen, Kevin Tagg in Gray, and Brian Debenham in Funny Woman. He’s also appeared in Adult Material, The Name of the Rose, and The Musketeers.
Who else stars in the cast of Rivals on Disney+?
Further talent joining the ensemble cast of Rivals series 2 include Hotel Portofino’s Oliver Dench, Gone‘s Amanda Lawrence, The Tower’s Bobby Lockwood, Industry’s Eliot Salt, and One Day’s Jonny Weldon.
Annabel Scholey returns as Beattie Johnson. Annabel is known for playing Ann-Marie Blake in The Sixth Commandment, Nina in The Split, Cathy McDaid in Dead and Buried, Beth in The Serial Killer’s Wife, and Sarah Bailey in The Salisbury Poisonings.
Eldest child Patrick O’Hara is the only son of ex-actress Maud and TV personality Declan. He’s played by relative newcomer Gabriel Tierney, star of The Winter King.
Controller of Programmes for Corinium TV, Charles Fairburn, is played by Gary Lamont. Actor Gary is known for playing Dean in Boiling Point, Evan Lindsay in Outlander, and Robbie Fraser in River City.
Aide to Conservative MP Rupert Campbell-Black, Gerald Middleton is played by Hubert Burton. Hubert has played Cyril in The Passing Bells, Ed Rawlins in The Outcast, and Harry in Jekyll and Hyde.
Meanwhile, Lara Peake plays Corinium production assistant Daysee Butler. Actress Lara is known for playing Carly in Mood, Fern in Halo, Madysun in Brave New World, and Betsy Cronshaw in The English Game.
Corrie fans will recognise Denise Black, who portrays Tony’s voice of reason Joyce Madden. Elsewhere, Silent Witness’ Maggie Steed is Lady Gosling, and Call the Midwife’s Bryony Hannah plays Deirdre Kilpatrick.
