Rivals boss pays tribute to Jilly Cooper and reveals ambitions as series expands: “I would love this show to be like Marvel!”

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Dominic Treadwell-Collins gives a lot of thought to the portrayal of sex, approaching it with seriousness and meticulous detail. As the lead writer and executive producer of Rivals – the steamy Disney+ series adapted from Jilly Cooper’s novels – it’s no surprise. The show, much like the books, is filled with passionate encounters and romantic relationships.

Handling intimate scenes is a serious responsibility, it turns out. According to Treadwell-Collins, these scenes are a significant part of the show, and they approach them with great care. They have detailed discussions with the actors involved, work with skilled intimacy coordinators, and thoroughly prepare for even seemingly lighthearted scenes.

After filming, the editing process allows us to make sure each scene serves a purpose. The director emphasizes that any intimate scenes need to advance the plot, not just be there for shock value. While some level of arousal is okay, the goal is to avoid making viewers feel uneasy or disgusted.

The creator hopes viewers will finish each episode of Rivals wanting more, because the show is meant to be purely enjoyable. He aims for a lighthearted escape, combining the fun of 80s music and fashion with compelling love stories to create something truly special. He believes this season, with its exciting cliffhangers and heartwarming finale, surpasses even the first season.

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The new season is significantly longer, with twelve episodes instead of fewer. The creators felt they needed to develop more substantial storylines. According to one of them, simply telling lighthearted stories wouldn’t sustain audience interest. They describe the first season as playfully rebellious, but this season marks a move toward maturity. The writing is more confident and assured, and the actors are fully aware of the show’s direction, allowing the writers to really play to their strengths.

The series isn’t a direct adaptation of the book ‘Rivals,’ though it’s based on the remaining parts of the story. The creator, Treadwell-Collins, has taken some creative liberties and made significant changes.

Since I own the rights to the entire Rutshire Chronicles series, we’ve been able to revisit elements from ‘Riders’ and include characters from that story. We’re also building on ideas from ‘Polo,’ my next book, to further expand the world of the series.

With eleven books already published, beginning with ‘Riders,’ there’s plenty of room for the show to grow – perhaps into something like the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Treadwell-Collins happily agrees, saying, “That’s exactly what I’d love to see happen!”

Treadwell-Collins took a significant creative liberty that might spark debate. He reimagined Charles and Gerald as gay characters, though their paths don’t cross within the story. His aim was to balance the heterosexual romances with a sweeping, central gay love story.

In 1987, the AIDS crisis was widely publicized, and the following year the government passed Section 28, a law intended to stop the “promotion” of homosexuality. It’s doubtful that Treadwell-Collins will ignore these events in their reporting. The question arises: is highlighting these issues considered advocating for gay rights?

He states his main goal is to foster a sense of shared humanity. He wants people to move beyond self-interest and start understanding each other’s perspectives.

Treadwell-Collins expects some viewers might be shocked by the changes, but Cooper herself was happy with them. They always made sure Jilly approved everything, and if she didn’t like something, they’d revise it. She reviewed and approved every script and continued to watch early cuts of the episodes until shortly before her death in October 2025. So, they have her full approval, and her input is present throughout the entire series.

Treadwell-Collins and Cooper had already discussed ideas for a third season, though it hasn’t been officially approved yet. Disney is currently considering future seasons, which is encouraging. However, it will be difficult working on the show without her. She was a close friend and someone he frequently talked to, and she originally encouraged him to write the first episode.

My home office is filled with reminders of Jilly – I have my script with her notes and photos of her everywhere. Even immediately after she passed away, I was still working on the show, going through her notes for episode twelve. Being surrounded by her things while grieving was incredibly difficult, but it also felt comforting, like stepping into her world. It’s a beautiful place to lose myself when things get tough.

Rivals season 2 is coming to Disney+ on Friday 15 May 2026.

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Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer and critic. He’s reviewed countless programs and interviewed a wide range of celebrities, including Liza Minnelli and Jimmy Savile. He’s also worked as a writer creating content for television itself.

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2026-05-11 19:35