The West of England has played an "integral" role in the success of the hit television series Rivals, according to a senior executive at Disney. The award-winning show, based on the novel by the late Dame Jilly Cooper, was filmed at the Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol and across the South West region. More than 90% of the locations featured in the series were captured within a 30-mile radius of the studios, spanning Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset.
Rivals is set in the Cotswolds during the 1980s and revolves around a bitter battle over a regional TV franchise that turns personal feuds into public spectacles. The second season, now streaming on Disney Plus, features a star-studded cast including David Tennant, Katherine Parkinson, and Aidan Turner.
Deborah Armstrong, country manager for The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland, said: "Rivals has captured the attention of the nation while showcasing the very best of British and Irish talent across cast, crew, and beyond. The West of England, and Bristol in particular, have been integral to the show’s success. Disney is proud of the role we play in Bristol’s thriving creative ecosystem. Our presence spans the production of local originals such as Rivals and National Geographic documentaries, as well as bringing audiences together through live experiences, including our recent sell-out stage show, The Greatest Showman."
West of England Mayor Helen Godwin remarked that the region is "proud to be the real-life Rutshire" and that the hit series, produced by Happy Prince (part of ITV Studios), is inspiring more visitors to discover and fall in love with the area. "The economic impact of filming TV is huge for jobs and businesses in the West of England," she said. "Rivals being made here has directly and indirectly helped add millions of pounds to the country’s fastest-growing regional economy. We look forward to continuing to work with Disney+, Happy Prince, and ITV Studios to create more magic in our part of the world."
Alexander Lamb, executive producer for Rivals and creative director at Happy Prince, emphasized that both series were "entirely made possible" by the talent, ingenuity, tenacity, and good humor found in the West of England. "Just like Declan O’Hara’s Venturer Television, Happy Prince is committed to showcasing the very best of the region, bringing its perfect locations and the work of its gifted crew to screens for the rest of the world to enjoy. We are eternally grateful for the continued warm welcome afforded to our cast and crew and hope to be making further series of Rivals in the West of England for many years to come."
