Rivals: Is it based on a true story, and real person Rupert Campbell-Black is heavily inspired by
The series is based on the 1988 novel of the same name by the late Dame Jilly Cooper
Rivals is Disney’s very cheeky adaptation of the famously rompy bestselling Rutshire Chronicles by Jilly Cooper, and fans have been wondering if it’s based on a true story.
The series is currently in its second season and likely to be recommissioned over and over again. Set in the 80s in the fictional county of Rutshire, the infamous story follows the tense rivalry between two men. Rupert Campbell-Black and Lord Tony Baddingham are both ambitious, egocentric and charismatic.
While Tony works in the cut-throat world of the TV industry, Rupert is a Tory MP, and former Olympian show jumper. Then throw in the charming TV presenter Declan O’Hara, his wholesome daughter Taggie, and a collection of other eccentric – and usually horny – characters, and you have a hit on your hands.
But is the Cotswold-based drama Rivals inspired by a true story? And what real life person was Rupert Campbell-Black inspired by? Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Disney+ drama Rivals based on a true story?
Rivals is based on Jilly Cooper’s famous novel of the same name. Or rather a series of novels in the Rutshire Chronicles. Although it is NOT based on a true story, there are some characters who are based on real people.
For one, there is no such place as Rutshire. The late author Jilly Cooper put her tongue firmly in her cheek when she made up the name of the horniest village in the Cotswolds. Secondly, there’s no such TV broadcasters as Corinium, or Declan’s rival company Ventura. So what’s real? Well, the politics of the day is spot on, with the Conservative Party in power under Margaret Thatcher.
The Jilly Cooper novel – and, in turn, the TV series – was inspired by the author’s own experiences of Cotswold life in the 80s. Of course, the plot is mostly fictional, but Jilly was undoubtedly influenced by what she saw around her. And she did admit that Rupert Campbell-Black WAS inspired by a real person.
Is Rupert Campbell-Black a real person?
Jilly Cooper previously admitted that Rupert Campbell-Black was inspired by one particular person… And they have a very familiar name! The author revealed she based the fictional cad on Andrew Parker-Bowles – the former husband of Queen Camilla. Gosh!
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Now 86, Andrew Parker-Bowles is a retired British Army officer born to a hellishly wealthy family. An amateur jockey, he rode in the 1969 Grand National on his horse, The Fossa, finishing the race in 11th place. He also played in Prince Charles’ polo team during their younger days.
Jilly counted Andrew Parker-Bowles as one of her friends, and the pair maintained a close, decades-long friendship until her death in 2025. Much like Rupert Campbell-Black, Parker-Bowles moved in elite equestrian, aristocratic, and military circles, and was highly regarded for his “dashing presence”.
Rivals true story: Who was Rupert Campbell-Black inspired by?
Andrew Parker-Bowles is just one of three men Jilly Cooper based Rupert Campbell-Black on. She also admitted that the character was an amalgamation of her friends Rupert Lycett Green and Michael Howard, Earl of Suffolk. Both in her Champagne-swilling social circle, Rupert was a famous British fashion designer in the 60s. He was the founder of the Blades boutique.
Meanwhile, the late Michael was an English peer, and a member of the House of Lords from 1956 to 1999. He was married three times, had five children, and owned a huge estate in Suffolk.
When he died in 2022, Jilly led the tributes. She said: “He was a lovely man – huge fun. I first met him when I moved to Gloucester in 1982. Whenever he used to phone, he’d say, ‘It’s Rupert here’. So I said, ‘You know there are two more?’ And he would say, ‘Yes, but I’m the real one’.”
Cooper said of her late friend: “Despite his title and status, he never made you feel inferior. All the best of Rupert [Campbell-Black], but without the awful parts.”
Read more: Rivals on Disney+: When are the next episodes coming out, how to watch, and full release schedule
