Renowned British novelist Jilly Cooper has passed away at the age of 88. Reflecting on her work prior to the release of the television adaptation of her iconic bonkbuster Rivals last year, Cooper shared insights on the lessons learned and the changes witnessed since it was first written.
Back in the 1980s, when I relocated from London to the West Country alongside my late husband Leo and our children Felix and Emily, I discovered that sexual encounters outside of marriage were just as prevalent in rural life as in urban settings. It appeared everywhere I turned that individuals participated in both adultery and casual relationships—even the animals in nearby fields were at it, not just the rabbits!
I was taken aback by a glamorous nobleman who, upon marrying for the fourth time, invited his three ex-wives to sleep with him as a wedding gift. I recall an evening where our hosts, angrily quarreling moments before, disappeared upstairs for a liaison during dinner. (That certainly redefined the concept of ‘intercourse.’) I also felt let down when a charming man expressed interest in me, only to invite me to dinner with his wife, who promptly declared that her husband had received 35 Valentines that year: “Stay off the grass!”
Such characters inspired my bestselling 1988 novel, Rivals—a narrative filled with scandalous behavior revealing secrets in the television industry—affectionately described by the Daily Mail as “a wonderfully provocative escapade through the Cotswold countryside enhanced by an exceptionally well-researched account of the ruthless rivalry behind a television franchise.
In the novel, Lord Baddingham manages Corinium Television, a callous businessman more focused on profiting from advertisements and intimidating his staff than producing quality shows. To secure his renewal of the franchise, he recruits Irish superstar Declan O’Hara from the BBC, who moves his stunning yet dissatisfied wife Maud and their two lovely daughters to the Cotswolds. The ensuing chaos unfolds both in corporate boardrooms and bedrooms as everyone strives for dominance.
Nearly 40 years after I first penned the story, Rivals has found new life on TV thanks to Disney+. The talented David Tennant portrays Lord Baddingham, while Aidan Turner—of Poldark fame—takes on the role of Declan O’Hara. Unlike previous adaptations of my works, which often altered my characters and plots beyond recognition, the essence of my original story remains intact, effectively transporting us back to the late ’80s.
Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals
Photo: Disney+
Oh, what an era it was. Now, well into my late 80s, I would certainly need a walking aid to fend off any unwelcome advances. As I revisited Rivals, I was astonished and a bit taken aback by the contrasting social landscape of today. In those days, it felt like everyone was out partying, indulging in long lunches filled with wine, and engaging in countless sexual escapades. Much of the narrative unfolds in the Cotswolds, home to the Beaufort Hunt, known for its high jumps and low morals. However, nowadays, boozy lunches have transitioned into formal work meetings, and the casual encounters of earlier years have given way to the sterile world of swipe applications, which have stripped away a great deal of the fun and unpredictability.
In Rivals, the norm is less about wife swapping and more about mistress swapping. My perennial favorite character, the troublemaker Rupert Campbell-Black, recently divorced, finds himself entangled with two women. The first, journalist Beattie Johnson—the First Not Quite a Lady of Fleet Street—enjoys a liaison with him in the loo of Concorde. The second, the stunning wife of a fellow MP, expresses her views on fidelity after catching Rupert playing naked tennis, claiming she “does not demand fidelity from her husband but does from her lover.” The series indeed examines erotic themes from a female perspective.
It doesn’t surprise me that Gen Z ranks the ’80s as the golden era. Presently, sexual activities seem to be on the decline. People invest their energy in the gym or jog tirelessly around the countryside. Many couples now meet through online platforms, sacrificing spontaneity and excitement for efficiency amid the exhilarating office parties of the past when everyone was “getting off” with each other. It’s a far cry from the allure of a “chance encounter” leading to unplanned romantic moments rather than exchanging phone numbers for later texting.
However, the ’80s were not without their complications and struggles, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. In Rivals, the head of religious broadcasting at Corinium suffers heartbreak when his lover Gerald leaves him, while Gerald, Rupert’s astute private secretary, marries a woman to maintain a façade of respectability essential for his career advancement. One of the most heartwarming changes today is the widespread acceptance of same-sex marriages, with many couples now joyfully adopting children to complete their families.
As I bring Rivals back to life, I’m reminded of a time when families would gather to watch shows like Dallas and Dynasty broadcast directly into their living rooms. With only four television channels available, we witnessed record-breaking viewership; 30 million tuned in to see Dirty Den serve divorce papers to Angie Watts in Eastenders, and 17 million saw the series’ very first same-sex kiss. Today, entertainment finds itself in our hands, with the “oblongitis” phenomenon prevalent, where families engage with their phones at the table or even at home, swapping genuine engagement for notifications instead of lively discussions. Attending concerts has transformed into a quest to record rather than savor the performance.
Fashion, as evidenced by past editions of Vogue, was decidedly more assertive in the ‘80s, with oversized shoulders, fitted waists, short hairstyles often concealed under hats, and long fur coats that are largely frowned upon today. Body shapes too have evolved. In the ‘80s, individuals focused on rigorous regimes to minimize their behinds, exemplified by slim celebrities like television presenter Anneka Rice, who often claimed ‘Rear of The Year’ titles. Presently, fuller, augmented rears are in vogue, while fillers enhance lips to a point where they protrude more than breasts. Ironically, the once-stoic stiff upper lip seems to have vanished as people on both sides burst into tears for anything heartwarming or tragic alike.
In Rivals, issues of status and class emerge prominently in ways that aren’t as relevant today. Despite being a life peer, Lord Baddingham feels resentful about his grammar school education, envying Rupert’s invitations to his lively circle. Conversely, Rupert easily befriends Freddie Jones, portrayed excellently by Danny Dyer, a charming electronics tycoon with a prominent Cockney accent, who never conceals his humble beginnings.
Danny Dyer as self-made millionaire Freddie Jones in the new adaptation.
Photo: Robert Viglasky
In the ’80s, while living in Gloucestershire, I recall a rather distinguished neighbor visiting; I quickly positioned myself in front of a cluster of vibrant red poppies I had just planted upon overhearing her say to my husband that bright red should never feature in a Cotswold garden. Dinner gatherings were rife with tension, as guests debated whether to use “napkin” over “serviette” or whether cheese belonged before or after dessert, and whether the most significant guest had been placed incorrectly at the table. Presently, gatherings are much more relaxed, with hosts serving takeaway meals paired with abundant wine, often sealed with screw caps, without fear of judgment from their guests.
Most importantly, in Rivals, I portray the blossoming of genuine love. Many people back then held the belief that a long-lasting, happy marriage represented the pinnacle of life, akin to the notion that all was well in the world if God was content in heaven. Unfortunately, it is said that today almost half of marriages end in divorce. While the ease of divorce is beneficial for those trapped in unhappy unions, it presents a bitter truth: many parents often miss seeing their children, and grandparents find themselves estranged from their grandchildren. Moreover, navigating the challenges of stepfamilies adds layers of complexity to these relationships.
Ultimately, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had an exceptional husband. As I reflected in a previous memoir: The key to a fulfilling marriage is a mix of laughter and passion. Perhaps it’s a reminder that we should all strive a little harder for joy in our relationships. Yet, as LP Hartley poignantly noted in The Go-Between, “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”
