EastEnders’ Danny Dyer unrecognisable in trailer for racy Disney+ series Rivals
Former Albert Square favourite Danny Dyer looked totally different in a trailer for raunchy new Disney+ drama Rivals, which is based on author Jilly Cooper's bestselling book
EastEnders star Danny Dyer was completely unrecognisable in a trailer for his racy new show Rivals.
The TV hardman is playing self-made millionaire Freddie Jones in the adaptation of one of author Jilly Cooper’s “bonkbuster” novels about the exploits – and sexploits – of dashing Rupert Campbell-Black and his friends. And he looked worlds away from his Queen Vic days in the teaser.
The star, 46, was sporting a thick, bushy brown wig styled into a side parting, and also had a full moustache rather than his usual well-groomed stubble. He was seen looking suave in a tux in one scene, while in another he’d slipped on a tweed jacket.
Rivals is set in the cut-throat world of TV production in the 1980s and follows Rupert and his wealthy, power-hungry circle. Jilly’s books are known for their sizzling scenes, and the trailer suggests the Disney+ series will not disappoint, with plenty of long, steamy looks and a passionate clinch.
The show has a starry cast, with Alex Hassell as Rupert and David Tennant as his adversary Lord Tony Baddingham. Aidan Turner from Poldark plays presenter and journalist Declan O’Hara, while The Inbetweeners beauty Emily Atack is socialite Sarah Stratton.
Other cast members include Victoria Smurfit, Rufus Jones and Lisa McGrillis. Luke Pasqualino from Skins is also among the cast, playing sexy Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham.
A synopsis for the show says: “The story is set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England. In the fictional county of Rutshire, a long-standing rivalry between two powerful men is about to boil over.
“Alex Hassell plays dashing ex-Olympian, Tory Member of Parliament and incorrigible rake, the dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black. David Tennant plays Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical Rutshire neighbour Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television.
“A long-simmering power struggle between them threatens to boil over when the two men lock horns over the future of Corinium.”
The show will run for eight episodes. It is set to drop on Disney+ in the UK this year, although the date has yet to be announced.
