Disney+ hit Rivals has become one of TV’s most talked-about dramas thanks to its scandalous storylines, glamorous 80s setting and outrageously flirtatious characters. Jilly Cooper based the series on her wildly popular Rutshire Chronicles novels, and the show has left viewers wondering how much of the drama came from real life.
The show is now in its second season and continues to prove a huge success. Set in the fictional county of Rutshire, the story centres on sworn rivals Rupert Campbell-Black and Lord Tony Baddingham — two powerful, charismatic men who battle each other in politics, television and their personal lives.
Tony dominates the ruthless TV world, while Rupert works as a former Olympic show jumper turned Tory MP. The show also features beloved presenter Declan O’Hara, his daughter Taggie and a cast of eccentric, romantic and often very racy characters, making it easy to see why Rivals has become such a sensation.
But is the Cotswold-based drama Rivals actually based on a true story? And who inspired Rupert Campbell-Black? Here’s what we know.
Is Disney+ drama Rivals based on a true story?
Jilly Cooper adapted Rivals from her bestselling novel of the same name, part of her hugely successful Rutshire Chronicles series. Although the story itself is fictional, Cooper based some characters on real people from her own social circle.
Rutshire itself does not exist. Cooper famously created the fictional county with her trademark tongue-in-cheek humour and turned it into the most scandalous corner of the Cotswolds imaginable. She also invented the TV companies Corinium and Ventura.
However, the story’s backdrop reflects real-life Britain in the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government shaped the political tone of the era.
Cooper heavily drew on her own experiences of living in the Cotswolds during the 80s when she wrote the novels and inspired the TV adaptation. Although she fictionalised the dramatic plots, she took inspiration from the people and social circles around her at the time. She also openly admitted that a real person inspired Rupert Campbell-Black.
Is Rupert Campbell-Black a real person?
Although Rupert Campbell-Black is fictional, Jilly Cooper revealed that she based the character on someone with strong royal connections. She said Andrew Parker-Bowles, Queen Camilla’s former husband, partly inspired Rupert.
Now 86, Andrew Parker-Bowles is a retired British Army officer from an extremely wealthy family. He also worked as an amateur jockey and competed in the 1969 Grand National on his horse The Fossa, where he finished in 11th place. In his younger years, he also played polo alongside Prince Charles.
Jilly Cooper and Andrew Parker-Bowles remained close friends for decades until her death in 2025. Like Rupert Campbell-Black, Parker-Bowles moved in aristocratic, military and equestrian circles and became known for his famously dashing image.
Rivals true story: Who is Rupert Campbell-Black based on?
Andrew Parker-Bowles was not the only person who inspired Rupert Campbell-Black. Jilly Cooper also based parts of the character on her friends Rupert Lycett Green and Michael Howard, Earl of Suffolk.
Rupert Lycett Green became a well-known British fashion designer during the 1960s and founded the Blades boutique. Meanwhile, Michael Howard, Earl of Suffolk, sat in the House of Lords from 1956 until 1999.
Michael married three times, had five children and owned a large Suffolk estate. After his death in 2022, Jilly Cooper paid tribute to her longtime friend.
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’.”
Jilly later added: “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