Jilly Cooper's steamy novel Rivals is finally being brought to life in a TV adaptation - and you have Disney+ to thank.

Poldark hunk Aidan Turner leads the cast in the upcoming series, alongside the likes of David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, and Katherine Parkinson. *Bites nails with excitement*.

As well as the rather epic cast, Rivals promises drama with tongue firmly in cheek (and tongue firmly elsewhere too). Prudish viewers, look away now...

Here's everything you need to know about Rivals on Disney+, including plot, cast, location, and start date.

What's the plot of Rivals on Disney+?

The Disney+ adaptation of the bestselling book of the same name is set in the fictional county of Rutshire. The infamous story follows the tense rivalry between two men, Rupert Campbell-Black and Lord Tony Baddingham...

Both characters are ambitious, egocentric and charismatic. They work in the cut-throat world of the TV industry - Corinium television - in the 1980s. Think Magnum PI-style moustaches, perms, and the whole budget blown on hairspray.

Speaking about the new show, Rivals author Jilly Cooper said: "I'm utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals.

"Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn't have dreamed of a better ensemble cast. I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life."

Rivals characters 'bought to life'

Jilly, 87, added: "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!"

Disney+ tells us: "Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, Rivals delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986."

Jilly is also executive producer for the series.

Who's in the cast of Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals on Disney+?

Cast really don't come better than this. David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Claire Rushbrook, Danny Dyer, Emily Atack and many more have joined the cast of Rivals on Disney+.

The Boys actor Alex Hassell - aka Translucent - stars as Rupert Campbell-Black. 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 becomes your TV crush.

Doctor Who's David Tennant will play Lord Tony Baddingham. He's controller of Corinium Television and Rupert's single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical rival.

Who plays Declan O'Hara in Rivals?

Poldark's Aidan Turner 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.

Bloodlands' actress Victoria Smurfit stars as Declan's wife Maud O'Hara, who is a former actress herself. Sex Education's Bella Maclean is Taggie O'Hara, Declan's tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter and unexpected temptation for Rupert.

Nafessa Williams - star of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody - plays Cameron Cook. Tony brings the ferociously talented American TV executive to England to produce Declan's new prime-time talk show.

Humans fave Katherine Parkinson plays Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist regularly overlooked by her self-centred husband. The Crown's Oliver Chris stars as her husband James Vereker, who also happens to be a TV presenter.

Meanwhile, EastEnders actor Danny Dyer plays self-made electronics millionaire Freddie Jones, while Maternal's Lisa McGrillis stars as his wife, Valerie.

Sherwood's Claire Rushbrook portrays Lady Monica Baddingham, Tony's, Skins' Luke Pasqualino stars as Basil 'Bas' Baddingham, Tony's younger brother.

Emily Atack plays the ambitious Sarah Stratton, the new wife to deputy prime minister, Paul Stratton, who will be played by Rufus Jones (W1A). Last but not least, Pistol's Catriona Chandler will play wild Caitlin.

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.

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 castmates, 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.

Is Rivals series based on the Jilly Cooper book?

The upcoming series is based on the iconic novel of the same name by Jilly Cooper. It's a story of deception, wit, romance and some truly unforgettable characters. The novel was first published in 1988, and is one of 10 novels from the Rutshire Chronicles series.

The book blurb tells us that: "Into the cut-throat world of Corinium television comes Declan O'Hara, a mega-star of great glamour and integrity with a radiant feckless wife, a handsome son and two ravishing teenage daughters.

"Living rather too closely across the valley is Rupert Campbell-Black, divorced and as dissolute as ever, and now the Tory Minister for Sport.

"Declan needs only a few days at Corinium to realise that the Managing Director, Lord Baddingham, is a crook who has recruited him merely to help retain the franchise for Corinium.

"Baddingham has also enticed Cameron Cook, a gorgeous but domineering woman executive, to produce Declan's programme.

"Declan and Cameron detest each other, provoking a storm of controversy into which Rupert plunges with his usual abandon.

"As a rival group emerges to pitch for the franchise, reputations ripen and decline, true love blossoms and burns, marriages are made and shattered, and sex raises its (delicious) head at almost every throw as, in bed and boardroom, the race is on to capture the Cotswold Crown."

Yes, yes, and yes!

How many episodes will it be?

Rivals will be eight episodes long.

Each episode is expected to be an hour long. But it'll feel like less! We already know we'll want more, more, more!

Is Rivals on Disney+ yet? Where can I watch it?

Rivals will be available to watch very soon on Disney+. The eight part series will stream on Disney+ from Friday, October 18, 2024.

Although Rivals is based on the book by Jilly Cooper, the series has been adapted and written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade.

Talking to The Times recently, Dominic admitted there'll be lots of willies in the drama. He said: "We've been equal opportunities in our nudity. There's a willy for every pair of tits."

Where was Rivals filmed? What's the location?

The series became the first production to use TBY2, a new facility at The Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove, Bristol. Filming also took place in Gloucestershire, specifically Tetbury, in the Cotswolds.

Castlewood in Clevedon also makes an appearance. Some of the series was filmed partially in Corsham, Wiltshire.

Rivals will air on Disney+ from Friday, October 18, 2024.