I’ve just looked at who’s playing Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals and…

[Sandstone1]

As I am off work sick with a horrible flu virus thing I treated myself to Disney+ for a month. Have watched the first episode. Its much as expected really. Sadly, although the actor playing RCB is very handsome in a way, he is not how the books portray him at all.
Full frontal view in the nude tennis scene !
Its fun and for those of us of a certain age, the music, cars and fashion bring back memories!

 

[Sandstone1]

I just watched the first episode. It's a lot of fun. There's a LOT of bonking. But my god have they miscast Rupert.

I just posted almost the same thing! Yes completely wrong actor for Rupert. If you read the books he is not anything like Rupert.

 

[JoannaC]

Oh no no no he doesn't look like Rupert at all. He definitely should be blond and masculine but slightly pretty. As for Tony that is even more wrong, clearly whoever cast this hasn't read the book!

 

[Spotherisk]

We’ve just watched the first two (well Mr StR nodded off), I’d forgotten Tony Baddingham even existed but it must be 30 years since I read the book.

Cast - well I have no idea who is playing RCB but I’m not at all convinced… Rupert is supposed to be gorgeous and blond, I’m afraid they have cast some kind of James Bond villain. The rest of the cast are there or thereabouts, but Cameron’s character doesn’t seem nasty enough - yet!

I’m more interested in reading the book again now than watching the rest of it.

 

[Hackback]

Its fun and for those of us of a certain age, the music, cars and fashion bring back memories!

Just watched the first episode and think this is spot on! Hope you feel better tomorrow.

 

[Sealine]

Slightly off topic but I’ve been listening to Caitlin Moran’s ‘How to be a woman’ on Spotify and chapter 8 is her memories of reading Riders at the age of 13. It’s hysterical but not for the easily offended.

 

[Orangehorse]

Ah! Much frustration. I couldn't connect to Disney. Maybe catch up tomorrow.

 

[Apercrumbie]

Just watched the 1st 2 episodes. Now I haven't read the books, but from what I have gathered from people who have, RCB doesn't look as he is described in the books (blond, so beautiful which is why he gets away with being so awful) but IMO he looks as he actually would. In the nicest possible way, how many super upper class showjumpers are actually devastatingly good-looking? The actor is handsome but in a fairly normal way.

 

[Sandstone1]

Just watched the 1st 2 episodes. Now I haven't read the books, but from what I have gathered from people who have, RCB doesn't look as he is described in the books (blond, so beautiful which is why he gets away with being so awful) but IMO he looks as he actually would. In the nicest possible way, how many super upper class showjumpers are actually devastatingly good-looking? The actor is handsome but in a fairly normal way.

Thats very true but so much is made in the books about RCBs looks. He is described so clearly as blond and beautiful. Its just odd that the series has gone so far away from the book in the casting of the main character. Not that the actor does a bad job at all its just hes not at all as Jilly Cooper wrote him.
Ive watched and enjoyed it. Its good fun and in most part well acted.
Its probably the people who read the books in their youth and have a picture of RCB in their head that will be disappointed. The series only goes about half way through the book so I would guess there will be another series.
I dont know what happened to Billy!
All in all its good fun but dont expect it to be exactly like the books.

 

[rabatsa]

Ben Atkinson posted some behind the scenes training on his facebook page.

 

[Orangehorse]

Just watched the 1st 2 episodes. Now I haven't read the books, but from what I have gathered from people who have, RCB doesn't look as he is described in the books (blond, so beautiful which is why he gets away with being so awful) but IMO he looks as he actually would. In the nicest possible way, how many super upper class showjumpers are actually devastatingly good-looking? The actor is handsome but in a fairly normal way.

Johnny Kidd was pretty good looking in his time. Blond, don't. know about the eyes, successful.

This was a time when girl grooms were told to sleep on the ground underneath the lorry when the rider had an assignation.

 

[Orangehorse]

I enjoyed it lots, although agree about Rupert. In the books although he was very naughty, he also had a lot of charm.

They put the stubble burning incident in the spring time! Did they have an agricultural advisor?

It is "spot the location time" for those living in the area. Yes, that is Chavenage House again (they will be able to do a bit more to the roof now). And looked like Tetbury market place.

I did a 3 day ride in the area once and saw lots and lots of beautiful large houses, any one of which could have belonged to Rupert Campbell-Black.

 

[Sanversera]

Billy was played by Michael praed

 

[jules9203]

There has been an interview with Jilly Cooper saying when she met the "first" Rupert although he looked right he didn't give off the right vibe (my words not hers!) Apparently this one had the right vibe!!! I haven't seen it yest but have been re reading all the Rutshire Chronicles - currently about to start Jump again. I am looking forward to just being able to enjoy some 80's memories xx

 

[jules9203]

Not that I lived that lifestyle!!!

 

[Sandstone1]

Billy was played by Michael praed

No it was Jake in riders that was played by him.

 

[ecb89]

Slightly off topic but I’ve been listening to Caitlin Moran’s ‘How to be a woman’ on Spotify and chapter 8 is her memories of reading Riders at the age of 13. It’s hysterical but not for the easily offended.

I did the same I always read in advance of my age

 

[Sanversera]

No it was Jake in riders that was played by him.

Yes that's right it was Jake x

 

[Apercrumbie]

There has been an interview with Jilly Cooper saying when she met the "first" Rupert although he looked right he didn't give off the right vibe (my words not hers!) Apparently this one had the right vibe!!! I haven't seen it yest but have been re reading all the Rutshire Chronicles - currently about to start Jump again. I am looking forward to just being able to enjoy some 80's memories xx

From what I understand of the books, his "vibe" is perfect. I agree that it might have been nice to see a more devastatingly good-looking Rupert, as that makes it more obvious how he gets away with being such a terrible person. The way he looks in the show makes it more explicitly about class.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I started it with DH last night, I think RCB is wonderful, he has the vibe! I don’t recall Cameron Cook being a woman of colour either but the actress is brilliant.

Tetbury is definitely featured as we were looking to see if FiL’s business was on it (it wasn’t )

Very excited to see a 1980’s bar of fruit and nut too! And the cars! And the dresses, I swear my mum had one of the dresses featured!

 

[Honey08]

I always thought of RCB as being like Jude Law looked in The Talented Mr Ripley.

 

[Pippity]

I see RCB as a young Rupert Penry-Jones, with a dash of Carl Hester. However, the chap they've got playing him definitely has the right vibe, even if the look is completely wrong.

First episode was an enjoyable romp and really caught the spirit of the book. Apparently it's very much a passion project for the producer, who's spent ages gathering together the rights for all the Rutshire Chronicles.

However, the opening titles - has anybody involved ever seen a horse jumping a fence? Plasticine weirdness going on with the hind legs!

 

[HopOnTrot]

Just been told off by DH for shouting “That’s not a 1980’s turnout rug!” a little too loudly
It was burgundy, had a neck AND reflective stripes!

 

[millitiger]

Hallelujah, for once, they didn't just use Friesian and Lusitano horses.
Rupert's hunter ACTUALLY looks like a horse you'd have a nice day's hunting on.

 

[Sandstone1]

From what I understand of the books, his "vibe" is perfect. I agree that it might have been nice to see a more devastatingly good-looking Rupert, as that makes it more obvious how he gets away with being such a terrible person. The way he looks in the show makes it more explicitly about class.

He is a lot nastier in the books, if I remember rightly he was very hard on his horses. I think a lot has had to be changed for political correctness. I think stuff has been toned down a lot from the books. They were " of their time" I guess.
I think, apart from RCB being very different in looks and a lot nicer , a sort of RCB lite if you like! its a good, fun and enjoyable well made series.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Hallelujah, for once, they didn't just use Friesian and Lusitano horses.
Rupert's hunter ACTUALLY looks like a horse you'd have a nice day's hunting on.

Yes! I commented on that too, the grey is a lovely stamp of a hunter!

 

[dapple_grey]

I have to say, I had my reservations as I love Jilly Cooper's books and whilst I'm still disappointed with the Rupert casting, it's a very fun series and I'm enjoying it!

I did also notice that Rupert's horse Rocky (Rockstar) was grey, he was a flashy chestnut in the books

ETA: Did anyone else spot Jilly herself making an appearance in one scene?

 

[I'm Dun]

the reviews are good, so despite my reservations I'm going to give it a go

 

[sam72431]

Agree that Alex Hassell is all wrong. I think James Norton would have been a good RCB, he is good at playing complete sh*ts - after all. I am going to 'An Evening with Jilly Cooper & Cast' later on this month and I cannot wait .

I also thought James Norton would have been perfect.

I’ve already watched it all and really enjoyed it (mainly as I’m ill in bed )

I think Alex did a good job and generally although actors not exactly true to the description (Taggie not that tall) I think if Alex blonde then that would have been a good choice. I really enjoyed it and hoping for more adaptations!

Bit of a confusing finish though don’t remember that in the books

 

[ArklePig]

I've just started this this evening, just finished episode 2. The sex scenes are unnecessarily cringe, I can't believe there's a woman alive who would respond well to some of the horrific lines other than that, good fun.