Rivals star Bella Maclean has revealed that she made sure to ensure there was a “no nudity” clause in her contract when she signed up for the steamy series.
Bella has played Taggie O’Hara in both seasons of the Jilly Cooper adaptation, and said it was “important” for her that she not be required to do nude scenes “because of how pure” her character is.
“I didn’t want to sexually exploit her,” she explained to Harper’s Bazaar. “And I didn’t want to do that to myself either.
“That was really important to me, and I think it will stay important to me. There are some things I just want to keep to myself.”
Bella was quick to point out that she doesn’t “judge anyone who does” appear naked on screen, pointing out that “sometimes” nude scenes are “so beautiful”.
“If I had Victoria Smurfit’s body, I’d probably be walking around naked!” she joked, referring to her on-screen mum in Rivals.
“But in that sense, we’re all lucky because there are amazing intimacy co-ordinators on our job. I know that’s not the case for other people. We’re all good friends who can just say ‘No’ to the directors and they’ll listen.”
Over the summer, Rivals fans around the world were left on the edge of their seats when the show took a mid-season break on a crucial cliffhanger.
Fortunately, there isn’t too long to wait until its return, with three new episodes set to premiere on Disney+ next week, followed by three more weekly instalments to round off season two.
An official synopsis for the latter half of season two has teased: “As the return to the scandal and excess of 1987 edges closer, the residents of Rutshire reunite for more revelry, rivalry and romance, but as the stakes ramp-up they must face tragedy, heartbreak, backstabbing and betrayal head on.”
Meanwhile, a third season has already been confirmed to be in the works.
Read Bella Maclean’s full interview with Harper’s Bazaar here.
