Her Majesty, The Queen visited the set of Disney+’s drama series Rivals at The Bottle Yard’s TBY2 Studios’ in Bristol today.
Rivals, currently filming its second season, is based on the novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper and is produced by Happy Prince (part of ITV Studios).
During the visit, Her Majesty completed a behind-the-scenes tour of the set led by Rivals’ award-winning executive producers, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt and Laura Wade and Series Producer Eliza Mellor. She observed filming, met various members of the production team as well as lead cast members including Alex Hassell (Rupert Campbell Black), Bella Maclean (Taggie O’Hara), David Tennant (Tony Baddingham), Nafessa Williams (Cameron Cook), Victoria Smurfitt (Maud O’Hara) and Oliver Chris (James Vereker).
An exclusive first look of the new ‘Master Dog’ set was revealed with Her Majesty getting to meet four of Rutshire’s finest canines, as well as stepping into the iconic Bar Sinister and the O’Hara family’s Priory Kitchen.
The Queen also learnt how the Rivals production team has provided a boost to the creative industries in the South West, providing training and opportunities for young people from the region. Her Majesty met with the series’ Production Designer, Dominic Hyman, as well as the hair and make-up team, led by Hair and Make-up Designer, Jill Sweeney.
A visit to the Costume Department showcased the outfits and designs celebrating the 1980s style and fashion of the era, led by Ray Holman, Costume Designer. The Rivals production team has collaborated with The King’s Foundation, and a member of the King’s Foundation alumni was present on the day showcasing some of the costume work featuring in the upcoming series.
Dame Jilly Cooper passed away in October this year, but members of her family were present during the tour.
Rivals will return in 2026 to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the UK and internationally.
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Pippa Considine
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