Scottish actor David Tennant is seen donning tweed and a flat cap with a rifle slung over his shoulder, while British actor Alex Hassell shows off a bare chest in an unbuttoned shirt while walking six dogs in first-look pictures from the TV adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals novel.
Published in 1988, Rivals is part of Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles series and has been adapted into an eight-part series of the same name to debut on streaming service Hulu in the US and on Disney+ in other countries later this year.
It will explore the cutthroat world of independent British television in 1986 as a long-standing rivalry between two of fictional Rutshire county’s most powerful men is on the cusp of boiling over.
As the rivalry intensifies, secrets, alliances and snatched liaisons see wives, lovers, colleagues, friends and families drawn into their battle.
Poldark star Aidan Turner will play TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who vows to wage revenge against Tony, and is also seen in character for the first time in the pictures.
Taggie, who is also described as being an “unexpected temptation for Rupert”, is pictured sitting on a couch with a dog next to her.
Other names in the Rivals cast include Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, Rufus Jones, Luke Pasqualino, Claire Rushbrook, Lisa McGrillis and Oliver Chris.
