On Monday (8th December), The Bottle Yard Studios were honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen, for a very special visit to the set of Disney+’s Emmy and BAFTA award-winning drama series Rivals, at our premium TBY2 Studio facility.
Rivals, which is currently filming its second season, is based on the best-selling novel by the late and much missed Dame Jilly Cooper and is produced by Happy Prince (part of ITV Studios).
During the visit, Her Majesty completed a behind-the-scenes tour of the set led by Rivals’ award-winning Executive Producers, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt and Laura Wade and Series Producer Eliza Mellor. Her Majesty observed filming, met various members of the production team as well as lead cast members including Alex Hassell (Rupert Campbell Black), Bella Maclean (Taggie O’Hara), David Tennant (Tony Baddingham), Nafessa Williams (Cameron Cook), Victoria Smurfitt (Maud O’Hara) and Oliver Chris (James Vereker).
An exclusive first look of the new ‘Master Dog’ set was revealed with Her Majesty getting to meet four of Rutshire’s finest canines, as well as stepping into the iconic Bar Sinister and the O’Hara family’s Priory Kitchen. Her Majesty met with the series’ BAFTA award-winning Production Designer, Dominic Hyman, as well as the BAFTA award-winning Hair and Make-up team, led by Hair and Make-up Designer, Jill Sweeney.
All above images courtesy Disney+
A visit to the Costume Department showcased the outfits and designs celebrating the 1980s style and fashion of the era, led by Ray Holman, Costume Designer. The Rivals production team has collaborated with The King’s Foundation, and a member of the King’s Foundation alumni was present on the day showcasing some of the costume work featuring in the upcoming series.
Dame Jilly Cooper passed away in October this year, but members of her family were present during the tour, as they celebrated the cultural impact of the legendary author.
The Queen also learnt how the Rivals production team has provided a boost to the creative industries in the South West, providing training and opportunities for young people from the region. Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin and The Bottle Yard’s Head of Studios Katherine Nash were on hand to greet Her Majesty, who was also introduced to several local trainees from the area who are helping on production. Rivals works with All Set West, the BFI National Lottery-funded programme co-delivered by The Bottle Yard Studios, which is designed to support entry-level talent from the region.
L: The Bottle Yard’s Head of Studios Katherine Nash and Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin with Rivals’ International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series, awarded last month;
R: Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol Lee Williams, High Sheriff of Bristol Kalpna Woolf, Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin, Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Henry Michallat and The Bottle Yard’s Head of Studios Katherine Nash, were on hand to welcome The Queen (Images courtesy WEMCA)
Rivals will return in 2026 to Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ in the UK and internationally. All episodes of Rivals season 1 are available to stream now, on Disney+.