Rivals has been a sensational success since hitting Disney+ on Friday.
But Jilly Coopers previous flicks, Riders (1993) and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (1997) are what paved the way for the show’s release.
The three bonkbuster projects are all novels written by Jilly Cooper and form part of her Rutshire Chronicles series.
The franchise follows the lives, loves, and scandals of an elite group in the fictional county of Rutshire.
And if you’re gripped by Rivals, you may want to dive into the two former productions as they are connected through recurring characters, shared settings, and common themes of romance, rivalry, and high-society drama.
Rivals has been a sensation success so far. But Jilly Coopers previous flicks, Riders (1993) and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (1997) are what paved the way for the show’s success
The three bonkbuster shows are all novels written by Jilly Cooper and form part of her Rutshire Chronicle (pictured: Riders Marcus Gilbert and Cecil Paoli)
The stories in Riders, Rivals, and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous are set in the fictional county of Rutshire – inspired by The Cotswolds.
It is home to the wealthy and powerful, who play out their desires under the scrutiny of their high-society peers.
Whether it’s the equestrian sporting world or the cutthroat battle for television dominance, the three flicks embrace glamour and raunchiness to the extreme.
At the heart of the stories is Rupert Campbell-Black, one of Jilly’s most enduring and controversial characters.
First introduced in Riders, Rupert, then played by Marcus Gilbert, is a charming, ruthless aristocrat whose personal and professional battles define much of the Rutshire Chronicles.
In Riders, Rupert’s cutthroat rivalry with Jake Lovell (Michael Praed), a fellow rider with a much humbler background, sets the stage for the novel’s gripping tale of ambition and betrayal in the world of show-jumping.
Rupert is a wealthy playboy with a reputation for womanizing and arrogance, while Jake is the determined underdog with Romany roots, rising through the ranks despite his more modest background.
Rupert, now played by Alex Hassell, returns in Rivals, this time facing off against Tony Baddingham, now played by David Tennant, in a battle for control of an emerging television station.
The stakes are as high as ever, with personal vendettas and romantic entanglements fueling the drama.
The series follows the lives, loves, and scandals of an elite group in the fictional county of Rutshire
And if viewers found Rivals to be their latest binging show then they are likely going to rave about the two former productions as they are connected through recurring characters, shared settings, and common themes of romance, rivalry, and high-society drama
The stories in Riders, Rivals, and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (pictured: Stephen Billington) are set in the fictional county of Rutshire
It is home to the wealthy and powerful, who play out their desires under the scrutiny of their high-society peers
Rupert’s ascent in the industry continues, but it’s his racy personal relationships that keep readers hooked.
While Rupert dominates much of the story, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous introduces a new star in the form of Lysander Hawkley.
Lysander is a notorious heartthrob with a unique profession – making husbands jealous.
Hired by neglected wives to stir up their husbands’ envy, Lysander’s antics bring new energy to Rutshire’s scandal-filled world.
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The TV adaptation delves into Lysander’s romantic exploits, his emotional vulnerability, and the chaotic consequences of his work.
He navigates a series of entanglements with a host of wealthy, dissatisfied women, including the beautiful but emotionally fragile Kitty Rannaldini, played by Anna Chancellor, and the seductive Georgie, played by Kate Byers.
Yet, the familiar faces of Rupert and other recurring characters like Taggie O’Hara are woven through the tale, keeping the story anchored in the forbidden love affair that has gripped viewers.
Fans of Rivals can deep dive into the old films and flesh out their Rutshire Chronicles knowledge.
Cooper’s latest adaptation, Rivals, premiered on October 18, 2024, and continues the tradition of exploring the opulent and often scandalous lives of Rutshire’s elite, but this time set against the backdrop of the 1980s independent television boom.