Holy moly, I'm in Rivals!
Seriously, I appear in Rivals Series 2, the Disney+ and Hulu adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel, in a cameo role in episode one.
Rivals is a British drama series set in the fictional world of 1980s television and high-society media rivalry, known for its mix of satire, scandal and character-driven storytelling. Filmed in Bristol, the second series continues the story of power struggles, ambition and media influence within the glamorous Rutshire universe.
My own Rivals cameo came about unexpectedly after I was contacted by a casting director...
I got an email asking about my availability for a Disney+ and Hulu production shooting in Bristol, and I genuinely thought it might be a joke at first. I realised it could only be Rivals.
My character Andrew Alderman, presenter of West Watch, a fictional news programme covering the franchise battle and events of episode 1...
My suspicions were confirmed and it turned out that one of the executive producers, Alexander Lamb, remembered me from my Children’s BBC days and thought it would be a nice easter egg to have someone who actually was on the TV in 1987 appearing in a TV based drama set in the same year. The filming day initially clashed with my live OB at the Royal Bath and West Show... I ran it past my wife and my boss, and both said the same thing: you have to do it!
Within a couple of days, the opportunity quickly moved from possibility to reality: I was sitting in my own trailer, after being swept through costume and make-up, ready for filming. I was thrilled to be part of a Rivals Series 2 cameo, particularly given the show’s 1980s setting and the connection to my own broadcasting background.
I first read Jilly Cooper's book in 1992 during my own move from the BBC to the newly formed 'rival' breakfast TV company GMTV, who had just won an actual TV franchise battle. So, when the show was first released in 2024, I absolutely loved it... great characters, a fantastic cast, and amazing attention to detail when it comes to 1980s TV and the pop culture of the time.
You can spot me in the opening episode now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
