Jilly Cooper made a final visit to the set of the TV series “Rivals” shortly before her passing. The acclaimed author, who died at 88, penned the bestselling novel that inspired the show.
The show, which premiered on Disney Plus in 2024, featured Alex Hassell in the lead role as Rupert Campbell-Black, a Tory politician and former Olympic showjumper. He clashed with David Tennant’s character, Tony Baddingham, a tyrannical network TV boss.
Having written the original novel in the 1980s, Jilly had the opportunity to witness the set for the second series based on her book before her death on October 5.
Alex expressed deep sadness over her passing, emphasizing Jilly’s significant influence on the show in terms of creativity and character portrayal. He highlighted the team’s commitment to preserving her vision while hinting at the forthcoming second series being more expansive, humorous, and intense than the previous season.
Following Jilly’s demise, Alex paid a heartfelt tribute to her, recounting her positive impact on his life and the production. He shared a touching photo of himself with Jilly and praised her kind and supportive nature.
Known for her “Rutshire Chronicles” series, which delves into the scandalous lives of the upper class, Jilly’s legacy includes the popular book “Rivals,” a sequel to “Riders.”
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