Welcome to the Cotswolds! A second season of the Disney+ series Rivals, based on the bestselling novel by Jilly Cooper, has got the green light, which means it’ll be looking for fresh talent to join the show’s world of landed gentry, showjumping, and scintillating promiscuity.
Ready to join the likes of Danny Dyer, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Katherine Parkinson, David Tennant, and Aidan Turner on set? Here’s what we know about the Rivals casting process.
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Set in the fictional English county of Rutshire in the 1980s, Rivals is based on the second book in Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles. It charts the fierce rivalry between womanising showjumper-cum-Conservative MP Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell), ruthless journalist Declan O’Hara (Turner), and Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant) as they fight for control of a TV company, Corinium. But in this hoity-toity world of performative hospitality, Champagne-quaffing, and secretive sexual encounters, there’s plenty to distract the trio from their business.
Writing has already begun on Series 2 of Rivals, which will dramatise the second half of the novel – picking up where Series 1 left off. Like Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles return to several characters throughout the 11 volumes. That means there are plenty more pages for showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins to dramatise.
British casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry, whose credits include Bridgerton and Fleabag, heads up the casting team for Rivals, working with her team at KVH Casting to find the right talent to bring Cooper’s characters to the screen.
With Rivals Series 2 confirmed, it’s only a matter of time before Hendry and her team begin their search. Check for announcements and updates on the Disney+ Instagram page, as well as the KVH Casting website and casting platforms.
If you get invited to submit a self-tape, be sure to follow Hendry’s advice and avoid filming in front of an austere white background. “I don’t like white backgrounds. They don’t make you look as good,” she told Backstage. “You want a blue or a grey, and you want to light yourself. You want to make sure that your sound is really good. And have your readers stand a little bit away from the camera because you want to just hear them. Sometimes readers are terrible, and it genuinely does distract.”
Shows as high-profile as Rivals will expect the talent they cast to come recommended. If you’re not currently represented, focus first on securing an acting agent.
Also ensure that you have all your acting materials updated and ready to fire off if an invite to audition comes your way. Here are some tips on polishing the essentials:
- How to Write and Format Your Acting CV
- How to Make a Show Reel That Gets You Gigs
- Your Acting Headshot Checklist
If you get seen for a role, it’s important to give yourself the best possible shot of landing the part. Here are some tips, from what to prepare to making a good first impression.
- Auditioning: A Guide for Actors
- 15 Contemporary Monologues for Your Next Audition
- How to Introduce Yourself in an Audition
As Hendry reminds aspiring actors: “You must know that people want you to do well. We aren’t against you. When you walk into our room or send us a self-tape, I assure you we want it to be ‘the one.’ Take care of yourself mentally and physically. You are your business. And don’t listen to the negativity of others.”