Rivals cast on Disney+: A full list of who plays who in the new Jilly Cooper adaptation

Rivals cast on Disney+: A full list of who plays who in the new Jilly Cooper adaptation

By Helen Fear | Wed Oct 09 2024

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 The Suspect's Aidan Turner, Doctor Who's David Tennant, The Boys' Alex Hassell, and EastEnders' Danny Dyer.

The strong female cast has Here We Go's Katherine Parkinson, Sherwood's Claire Rushbrook, Maternal's Lisa McGrillis, and Bloodlands' Victoria Smurfitt.

Here's a comprehensive rundown of the complete cast of Rivals on Disney+.

Rupert Campbell-Black is brought to life by actor Alex Hassell in the cast of Rivals (Credit: Disney+)

Who plays Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals on Disney+?

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, he was "inspired" by Queen Camilla's ex-husband, Andrew Parker-Bowles.

If you haven't heard of actor Alex yet, that will change as he's bound to become your next TV crush.

Alex, 44, is 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.

Author Jilly Cooper, 87, who acts 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!"

David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham in Rivals (Credit: Disney+)

Rivals cast on Disney+: David Tennant is Lord Tony Baddingham

David Tennant will play 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.

Of course, David Tennant needs no introduction to TV audiences. David, 53, is perhaps best known for playing the Doctor in Doctor Who from 2005 to 2013 (and then again in 2023).

He’s also known for playing D.I. Carlisle in Blackpool, D.I. Alec Hardy in Broadchurch, and Tom Kendrick in Deadwater Fell.

David infamously played serial killer Dennis Nilsen in Des in 2020, 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.

Former Poldark star Aidan Turner brings Declan O'Hara to life (Credit: Disney+)

Who plays Declan O'Hara in Rivals?

Irish actor Aidan Turner, 41, stars as Declan O'Hara. He's an intelligent 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 dramatic 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 Mitchell in the BBC's acclaimed Being Human.

He's probably best known for his role as the titular character in BBC One's Poldark. He played the role from 2015 and 2019.

Aidan's also portrayed Dante Gabriel Rossetti in Desperate Romantics, Ruairí McGowan in The Clinic, and Philip Lombard in Then There Were None. J.R.R. Tolkien fans will know him as Kíli 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.

Maud O'Hara is played by Victoria Smurfit (Credit: Disney+)

Rivals cast: Maud O'Hara is played by Victoria Smurfit

Maud O'Hara is Declan's flame-haired, bohemian ex-actress wife. A stage star in her youth and the toast of Dublin, she and Declan fell in love quickly. But now she's panicked that her beauty is fading, and finds gratification chasing other men.

Irish actress Victoria Smurfit, 50, 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, for which she was nominated as Best Supporting Actress.

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.

Young actress Bella Maclean is Taggie O'Hara in the cast of Rivals (Credit: Disney+)

Who is playing Taggie O'Hara in Rivals?

Actress Bella Maclean, 23, portrays Taggie O'Hara. She's Declan's eldest daughter - who finds herself attracted to her new neighbour Rupert Campbell-Black. Anyone see any red flags waving furiously?

Bella is known for playing Jem in series 4 of Sex Education. 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.

Rising star Catriona Chandler stars as Caitlin O'Hara (Credit: Disney+)

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...

Young actress Catriona Chandler 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, this year in fact, she starred as Sky Morgan in the Channel 5 thriller The Wives.

Nafessa Williams plays Cameron Cook

American actress Nafessa Williams joins the cast as 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 they don't quite see eye to eye...

Nafessa Williams 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 star as 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.

Katherine Parkinson plays Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist (Credit: Disney+)

Rivals cast on Disney+: Katherine Parkinson stars as Lizzie Vereker

Actress Katherine Parkinson, 46, plays Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist regularly overlooked by her self-centred husband. In fact, she seems to be the only one not getting any sex as the series begins... Although she seems a tad dowdier than her glamorous counterparts, she's probably 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 and Emily Atack co-star in Rivals (Credit: Disney+)

Oliver Chris stars as James Vereker

Actor Oliver Chris, 45, portrays Lizzie's husband James Vereker. James is the anchor-man of Corinium television's regional evening news magazine show, whose nose is put out of joint by the arrival of megastar Declan O'Hara.

Oliver is known for a multitude of comedy 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.

Emily Atack plays Sarah Stratton in the cast of Rivals (Credit: Disney+)

Rivals cast on Disney+: Emily Atack plays Sarah Stratton

Emily Atack plays the ambitious Sarah Stratton, the new wife to deputy prime minister, Paul Stratton.

An ambitious woman in an 80s 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 episode one is, well, totally naked!

Emily Atack, 34, came to fame playing Charlotte Hinchcliffe on 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.

Sherwood star Claire Rushbrook as Monica Baddingham in Rivals (Credit: DIsney+)

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.

Claire, 53, has been on our screens for more than three decades. She's known for 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 - the resemblance was uncanny - in A Very Royal Scandal.

Comic actor Rufus Jones portrays the Deputy PM Stratton (Credit: Disney+)

Rivals cast on Disney+: Rufus Jones portrays

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. He marries his glamorous secretary Sarah.

Comedic actor Rufus Jones, 48, 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.

Bas Baddingham played by Luke Pasqualino

Actor Luke Pasqualino, 34, 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.

Danny Dyer and Lisa McGillis as unhappily married couple. Freddie and Valerie Jones (Credit: Disney+)

Danny Dyer plays Freddie Jones

Actor Danny Dyer plays self-made electronics millionaire Freddie Jones, one of the few honourable men in the series...

Of course, 47-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, Danny Dyer in comedy Henpocalypse!, and Lee in Mr. Bigstuff.

The Londoner is also known for his role in films, including Human Traffic, The Football Factory, and Severance.

Rivals cast on Disney+: Valerie Jones played by Lisa McGrillis

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.

Lisa McGrillis stars as Valerie Jones. Maternal fans will know her as Dr Helen Cavendish in the ITV medical drama.

However, the 42-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. She's also known for portraying Joanna in Sex Education, Brenda in Best Interests, and Caroline McCoy in No Offence.

The characters in Rivals gather for a party at Baddington's country manor (Credit: Disney+)

Who else stars in the cast of Rivals on Disney+?

Annabel Scholey stars as Beattie Johnson. Beattie is a successful and ambitious columnist for tabloid newspaper The Scorpion. She's also the lucky lady getting the mile-high treatment in the opening scenes of episode 1.

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, Corinium production assistant Daysee Butler is played by Lara Peake. 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 Joyce Madden.