Danny Dyer prepares for filming Rivals season two in the Cotswolds, emphasizing the need for warmth. The show, based on Jilly Cooper's work, won an International Emmy Award for best drama.
Key points
Danny Dyer prepares for filming in the Cotswolds
Rivals is based on Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster novels
The show won an International Emmy Award for best drama
Filming takes place on a freezing November evening
Mentioned in this story
Danny Dyer
RivalsJilly Cooper
On a freezing November evening in the Cotswolds, Danny Dyer is calling on more than 30 years' experience as an actor to prepare himself to cope with the night of filming ahead.
"You got to put them heat pads in your trotters," he says, gesturing towards his feet.
"I've got two double ones for me toes," he continues, "and Long Johns obviously."
We have been invited to the set of Rivals, the adaptation of Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster, which has generated exactly the kind of heat the cast and crew could do with tonight.
The location is Chavenage House, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, where a bonfire scene is to be filmed for season two.
In the series, the Elizabethan manor house is the residence of TV presenter Declan O'Hara, played by Aidan Turner. In an act of serendipity, he's lived here in a previous incarnation - this was also the home of Poldark, his breakthrough role.
"I don't think anyone knew until my first day shooting here and then word got around and they wondered if they'd made a mistake," the actor laughs.
"But actually, they've dressed it so differently I don't recognise it as the place I used to shoot in."
He did, however, insist on the "Poldark shrine" in the women's toilets being taken down. "It was just a big picture of my face looking at everyone who went to the bathroom. It was a bit creepy.
"In the men's, there was a sign that said 'Poldark peed here'. That was quite funny, though. That got to stay."
The pre-existing Poldark tours of the establishment will now surely be augmented to incorporate Rivals, such has been the success of the show.
Perched on a desk in a room that acts as a 1980s TV company office is David Tennant, whose character Lord Baddingham provides the moral vacuum at the centre of Rivals.
Surrounded by Filofaxes, fax machines and VHS recorders, he shares his theory of why the first series was such a hit. "The characters are delicious, the stakes are so high and the scenarios we find ourselves in are so juicy," he says.
Tennant is excited by what series two has to offer Lord Tony. "I thought he was quite badly behaved in series one, but I do terrible things in series two. I mean really despicable."
Adopting a comedic conspiratorial tone, he leans in to reveal: "The scene I'm filming tonight, I'm doing something slightly nefarious in some bushes outside. Which could mean anything in this show, frankly."
"That sounds dubious," I reply.
"Yes, pretty dubious. Most of the things I do in this show are pretty dubious," he says with a flourish, underlining just how much he relishes this role.
Q&A
What is Rivals season two about?
Rivals season two is an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster novels, focusing on dramatic and romantic storylines.
Who stars in Rivals season two?
Danny Dyer is one of the prominent actors in Rivals season two, bringing over 30 years of experience to the role.
What award did Rivals season one win?
Rivals season one won the International Emmy Award for best drama.
Where was Rivals season two filmed?
Rivals season two was filmed in the Cotswolds, England.
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For Dyer, one unexpected outcome of the first season was his character, Freddie Jones, being declared a sex symbol.
"With a wig and a moustache," he chortles, while wearing the sort of sheepskin coat that even Del Boy might have rejected on taste grounds.
"He was very kind. There's not a lot of kind people in this show. And while he is really powerful, speaks loads of languages and is really rich, he's still very much, in essence, working class. He tries to do the right thing and I think that's maybe what's been found attractive."
He pauses before adding: "It can't be my belly and breasts. Especially when you stand next to Aidan Turner."
The only downside for Dyer is that he has been stuck with the moustache for all seven months of the shoot, and when we speak there are another three to go.
"I just want to see my top lip again," he mourns ruefully. "I miss it.
"My grandchildren only know me as a moustached man, and that depresses me slightly."
Outside, bonfires are being lit, cherry pickers are providing moody lighting, and crowds of extras are being marshalled around to create party vibes.
Soon, fireworks are exploding over the sky.
Victoria Smurfit, who plays Maud O'Hara, Declan's feisty wife, says the increased ambition for the new season is noticeable.
"There are more set pieces like tonight. It's bigger, bolder..." she pauses, thinking about which word should finish the alliterative description.
Her choice is perfect. "Bonkier!" she cries, with much satisfaction.
There are also 12 episodes for season two, an increase from eight. Bella Maclean plays Taggie, the innocent love interest to legendary lothario Rupert Campbell-Black, and she too has noticed a difference this time around when it comes to scale.
"It feels more luxurious, it feels bigger and larger, but also more heartfelt. I don't know how to describe it. It just feels more Rivals, if that's possible. Is that a phrase?"
"More Rival-y?" I suggest, weakly.
"More Rival-y," she laughs. "That works."
Alex Hassell, who plays Rupert, not knowingly undersold in the show as the "handsomest man in England", says that, to his surprise, his on-screen relationship has become a hit with Gen Z.
"My nieces and nephews are showing me TikToks of specifically Taggie and Rupert. Their kind of yearning for each other has really taken off. Loads and loads of videos. They are constant, which is really fascinating."
Before the first series was broadcast, there was much debate behind the scenes about how bygone attitudes would translate to a new audience.
A particular concern was an early encounter where Rupert groped Taggie when they still hardly knew each other.
Hassell explains: "While we thought it was right the story should explore that - it's in the book - we were interested in what young people would make of that and how they would question that or not.
"And it's fascinating that what they respond to is that this young woman, who is really open-hearted, could potentially help evolve this man, who is massively misguided and has lots of bad ideas."
The result? A mountain of memes.
One person who missing from the set is Cooper, who died earlier last year after having a fall at home.
Lisa McGrillis, who plays Valerie, the wife of Dyer's character Freddie, shares that only six weeks before the author's death she had the whole cast round at a garden party.
"She was still so full of life and mischief, and she was so excited about the second series. She was completely across it. She read every single episode, signed it all off."
Cooper would certainly have found it funny that while delivering this heartfelt tribute, Lisa is wearing a truly garish bright pink ski suit.
"It's like the 80s sort of vomits on Valerie," is how McGrillis describes her look.
Rehearsals over, the cast are called away for filming. As the temperature heads below freezing, powerful pyrotechnics light up the sky and Tennant does indeed stand in a bush looking furtive, as promised.
There are 11 books in Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles series, from which Rivals is taken, so there is every chance the show will run and run.
And before heading outside for his close-up, Dyer suggests that if there is a third series, there could be good news for his top lip.
"Obviously we're coming to the end of the 80s now, so if we go again, we're sort of encroaching on the early 90s and hopefully this can come off," he says, his gloved hand pointing to his moustache.
"Honestly, I just want my head back."
Rivals series two will be on Disney+ from Friday, 15 May.
