The stars of Rivals have addressed the major change the TV adaptation made from its bonkbusting source material.
Earlier this year, fans were up in arms when part one Rivals’ second season ended with the sudden death of Tony Baddingham’s wife, Monica, played by Claire Rushbrook.
In Dame Jilly Cooper’s original Rivals book series, Monica leaves her villainous TV producer husband and finds love with a new female partner.
However, the show’s mid-series finale wound up being called out after killing Monica off instead. At the time, some fans pointing out that she was one of Rivals’ few non-corrupt characters, and others accusing the writers of playing into the problematic “bury your gays” trope, in which LGBTQ+ characters are disproportionately killed off films and TV series.
The second half of season two explores the ramifications of Monica’s tragic car accident, especially for the men in her life.
When Metro asked the cast about the controversy, actors Bella Maclean and Alex Hassell defended the creative team behind Rivals.
Bella, who plays Taggie, pointed out that Monica’s death had opened up some “amazing” plots for other female characters in the show.
“It aided a lot of, not only the men, but also the women because I think it was the catalyst for Lizzie’s character to go for what she’s really after,” she responded, in reference to Katherine Parkinson’s character choosing happiness after having a heart-to-heart with Monica.
“[Monica is] such a loved character. But you need a character that is so loved in order to make such an impact,” Bella added. “But it’s heartbreaking, and we don’t like her not being around. It’s complicated.”
Similarly, Alex, who plays Rupert Campbell-Black, praised the writing team for sending Claire’s character to “amazing heights”, and allowing the actor “to do some really incredible human stuff that is some of the best work of either series”, before Monica’s death.
In the latter part of season two, Alex appears in flashback sequences with both Claire and David Tennant, admitting that filming these emotional scenes was “upsetting” for him.
“You are trying to make as thin as possible the veil of what is real and what is not for yourself, if you know what I mean. And I just found it very, very upsetting,” Alex added.
Claire told Radio Times last week that she was taken out to a champagne lunch before being informed of her character’s demise.
“They reassured me about the quality of the death scene and how impactful the storyline would be, so it was hard to feel entirely sad, because there was also great excitement,” she recalled.
“I have big, different feelings: immense pride at incredible scenes to play, and the tangible reaction from the audience. But it’s absolutely gutting. Gutting and glorious.”
During an interview with Disney+ released after the mid-series finale aired, Claire admitted she was going to miss playing Monica in the popular TV adaptation.
“I love getting on those scruffy wellies and the thick skirts and the Barbour jacket and pearls, and just being comfortable in these amazing locations, as if it’s just her living room,” she gushed.
Claire added: “It was a real departure for me, and a real challenge. I was nervous, but I really [feel] very grateful.”
Rivals returned to Disney+ with three episodes on 11 November, with weekly episode releases until 2 December.
