24-04-2025
Victoria Smurfit and Rivals cast worried about letting Rivals author down as they had too much fun filming
Victoria Smurfit has discussed how much fun Rivals was to make and how the cast were mindful of not letting author Jilly Cooper down.
Rivals based on Jilly Coopers novel by the same name was set against the backdrop of the drama and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, the story delves into the cut-throat world of independent British television in 1986.
Speaking on the Lorraine TV show the 101 Dalmation actress said: "No scenery was left unchwewed by (her character) Maud, When you are an actress playing an actress, I feel like you have licence to chew all the furniture and you are playing with such incredible people."
"You know, Aidan Turner is my husband, drop the mic." The Ballykissangel star added.
Asked if she had read the Jilly Cooper books, The Beach actress said:" I devoured them,I read them all, my mum had them, I'd steal them, Where on earth, where is Rivals?
" I'd take it out from under the bed, 'mum you left it in the kitchen', gaslighting her, but yes, no, I loved them all and when I heard it, they were casting - I sort of begged my agent to please get me in there."
Speaking about the cast having an absolute blast and how it wasnt like work. and how that sometimes does'nt translate into screen, Lorraine asked was this a worry?
The Bloodlands actress said: "100% that was the secret fear, we all had, we've all had far too much fun for this to be any good and you know to be able of us wanted to let Jilly down.
"We are all deeply in love with her, she is the most glorious, sprightly, funny, smart, naughty, she is divine, and none of us wanted to let her down. so We all secretly worried that it would'nt translate as we had too much fun. Thankfully it did, I think the world really needed a good laugh." The About a Boy actress explained.
