The Newshound

Rivals star Alex Hassell says the late Dame Jilly Cooper told him Rupert should 'break' Taggie 'like a young horse'

Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals, the Disney+ series whose second run resumes on 11 November with Rupert facing David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham.
Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black in Rivals, the Disney+ series whose second run resumes on 11 November with Rupert facing David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham.

Alex Hassell, 46, who plays ruthless Tory MP and retired Olympic showjumper Rupert Campbell-Black in Disney+'s 'Rivals', revealed Cooper's blunt direction came during filming of a dinner party scene in which Rupert puts his hand up Taggie's skirt and forces her to dance. Hassell had been softening the moment until Cooper intervened. He told Radio Times he was initially unconvinced he could play such a dominant character.

A vicar's son who attended a comprehensive, Hassell admitted he nearly skipped the audition after a bruising run of rejections.

Cooper, who died aged 88 in October 2025, later told Hassell explicitly she was 'really proud' of what he was doing — the last conversation they ever had.

Series two of 'Rivals', in which Hassell's Rupert battles David Tennant's Lord Tony Baddingham, resumes on November 11.

Moremagzter.comJilly said she was proud of what I was doing... that's moving to think about | Daily Mirror UK - newspaper - MagzterDaily MailRivals' Alex Hassell reveals how he prepared for Rupert Campbell-BlackDaily MailAlex Hassell reveals Jilly Cooper told him to 'break her like a horse'The TelegraphJilly Cooper told me to break Taggie like a horse, says Rivals’ HassellDailymotionAlex Hassell reveals Dame Jilly Cooper's advice for playing Rupert Campbell-Black in RivalsFemale FirstRivals' Alex Hassell told by Jilly Cooper to 'break' love interest Bella Maclean 'like a young horse' - Female FirstYahooRivals’ Alex Hassell: Jilly Cooper told me to break Taggie like a horse - Yahoo
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →