Rivals stars break down how series “understands complex women”

As a movie buff with a penchant for period dramas and a soft spot for strong female characters, I can confidently say that Rivals is shaping up to be a must-watch series. The show’s ability to portray complex women, like Sarah Stratton, is truly commendable. It’s refreshing to see such flawed yet relatable characters being celebrated, especially in a time when the world is striving for gender equality.

The highly anticipated new series, Rivals, on Disney Plus is generating a lot of buzz – with good reason! Its impressive ensemble cast and enticing storylines are certainly topics of conversation.

Interestingly enough, not only does the show depict the power struggles among the men, but it also highlights how the women in Rutshire support and uplift their partners.

“Emily Atack, who plays Sarah Stratton in the series, expresses her admiration for the female characters saying, ‘What I love most about Rivals is its portrayal of women. Despite having strong male leaders, as you delve deeper, these intricate and complex women come to light.’

It seems more contemporary to portray female characters with imperfections, particularly Sarah Stratton. This approach, in my view, is a more modern method.

Once upon time, societal norms dictated a specific image for women, both in behavior and literary portrayals, and daring to honor a woman like Sarah Stratton was uncommon. However, I find it intriguing, and it’s delightful to embody a character of such significance.

Rivals stars break down how series “understands complex women”

Attack elaborated: “She employs her sexual appeal to acquire what she desires initially, and eventually, it becomes clear why she seemingly lacks other options but to behave this way.

In an attempt to make a character such as Sarah more appealing rather than off-putting, I strove to infuse her with amusing qualities. Fingers crossed that I’ve succeeded in making her both enjoyable and humorous.

It’s fascinating to delve into these characters and expose their flaws, implying a period when women often relied on their charm to achieve their goals. Leaving one to ponder, “Just how much progress has society truly made?

Playing the role of Lady Monica, David Tennant’s wife in the series, Claire Rushbrook added: “My character doesn’t rely on her sexuality and I believe that Lady Monica Baddingham embodies traditional England, as Jilly Cooper’s world is deeply rooted in it.

Her role, being Tony’s wife, is to portray the world that Jilly creates in her writing and also get a glimpse into a softer, more intimate aspect of Tony. At work, he appears harsh, strong, and powerful; however, at home with her, we observe a different side of him, offering a unique perspective on his life.

Absolutely, Rushbrook has gained recognition for her performances in Ali & Ava, the first season of Sherwood, Wilderness, and more recently, A Very Royal Scandal.

Emily Atack is recognized for acting in shows like The Inbetweeners, Almost Never, and The Emily Atack Show, and for producing her own BBC documentary titled “Emily Atack: Asking For It?”.

Delighted to be part of this remarkable ensemble, I’m thrilled to share the screen with Rushbrook and Atack, along with luminaries such as David Tennant and Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Danny Dyer from EastEnders, Katherine Parkinson (Humans), Nafessa Williams (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Lisa McGrillis (Maternal), Luke Pasqualino (Skins) and Victoria Smurfit (Once Upon a Time). Can’t wait to bring this project to life!

In the 1980s, England serves as our setting, with the story unfolding in a fictional town called Rutshire. Here, the battle for autonomous TV broadcasting is at its peak.

In the dramatic landscape of 1980s England, filled with power struggles, extravagance, and shocking behavior among the high society, the series “Rivals” dives deep into the cutthroat world of independent television, specifically in the year 1986.

On October 18th, 2024, the much-anticipated movie “Rivals” will be available for streaming on Disney Plus. If you’d like to catch it, consider subscribing to Disney Plus now at just £4.99 per month or opt for a full year subscription for £79.90.

2024-10-13 23:03

Read More