We take a look at the locations that will bring Jilly Cooper’s blockbuster Rivals to life
The long-anticipated Rivals hits our screens this month. It is based on Jilly Copper’s iconic romp Rivals featuring the ever-favourite character Rupert Campbell-Black and stars actors such as David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Emily Atack and Poldark’s Aidan Turner.
Set in 1980s Britain, the racy drama takes place in the cutthroat world of independent television. At its heart is the fierce rivalry between two powerful men: the charismatic ex-Olympian and Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black, and his nemesis, Lord ‘Tony’ Baddingham, the ambitious controller of Corinium Television.
Where was Rivals filmed?
Given Rivals was set in Jilly Cooper’s fictional county of Rutshire in the Cotswolds, it is only right that the Rivals the television series has largely been filmed in-and-around Gloucestershire – particularly Corsham, Bristol and Bath.
And with many of the characters owning fabulous country houses – and even stately homes – it will be a feast of historic, lavish houses and their rich luxurious interiors.
One of the houses featured is the beautiful Woodbank House in Monmouthshire, a sprawling property with views over the River Usk and Usk Valley.
Neston Park, a historic English country house and estate, is reported to be one of the the main filming locations of the series – could this be the home of Rupert? Or perhaps it’s Declan O’Hara’s house?
Filming crew were also spotted filming at the beautiful historic Elizabethan Grade I listed Chavenage House near Tetbury – but whose home will it be in Rivals?
Meanwhile actor Aidan Turner let it slip in a Facebook post that Battleaxes pub in Wraxall, Somerset, had been used.
Bristol’s Harbour Hotel on Corn Street in Bristol’s historic Old City formed a backdrop for a glamorous television awards ceremony – complete with a red carpet.
Many scenes were also filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios, in Hengrove Bristol and at Clevedon on the coast
How can I watch Rivals?
Rivals will air on Disney+ from Friday, October 18, 2024.
Buy the book Rivals from Amazon