Aidan Turner feared he was being ‘sacked’ from Rivals when Jilly Cooper died – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
On a crisp autumn day in 2025, tension hung over the set of Disney+’s Rivals like an unscripted plot twist. Aidan Turner, playing the fiery Irish journalist Declan O’Hara, picked up on the frosty vibes immediately. Whispers rippled through the crew, faces grew drawn, and the usually lively atmosphere evaporated. Turner later revealed that he misinterpreted the mood as a prelude to his own dismissal from the hit series.[1][2]
A Sudden Chill Descends on Production
The production of Rivals season two was well underway when the unusual quiet settled in. Turner, immersed in his role amid the opulent 1980s world of television power plays, noticed something amiss right away. “I knew something was up. I thought I was in trouble. Irish Catholic in me. No f****** joke,” he recounted in a recent interview.[1]
His mind raced to worst-case scenarios rooted in self-doubt. “I thought: ‘What have I done? I’m being f****** sacked. I’ve done something. Don’t know what it is, but it’s bad,’” Turner shared. The actor’s paranoia built as the day wore on, oblivious to the true cause of the crew’s distress.[2]
The Shocking News Breaks
Eventually, the cast and crew gathered for an announcement that clarified the heavy mood. Jilly Cooper, the beloved author whose 1988 novel inspired the series, had passed away the previous night. She died on October 5, 2025, at age 88, from a head injury sustained in a fall at her Gloucestershire home the day before.[3]
Turner learned the details alongside his colleagues. “Yeah, we were told. It had only been the night before and it was shocking, because she wasn’t sick,” he said. The sudden loss struck hard, especially given Cooper’s active role as an executive producer and her vibrant presence around the production.[1]
Fond Reflections on a Vibrant Presence
Retreating to his trailer after the news, Turner confronted a poignant reminder of Cooper’s recent vitality. Pinned to his mirror was an ornate invitation to her annual garden party, held just five weeks earlier. “She was in great form, you know, drinking Champagne, telling stories, being filthy and funny and brilliant,” he recalled.[2]
Cooper’s spirit lingered in those memories. When asked to sum her up, Turner replied simply: “Happy. [She] always seemed so happy.” Her enthusiasm for life mirrored the exuberant, scandal-filled universe she created in her Rutshire Chronicles, with Rivals as a cornerstone.[1]
One standout encounter captured her irrepressible wit perfectly. During her first visit to the set, executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins escorted her past the trailers. Turner asked her thoughts, and she responded: “Yes, it’s really wonderful. But tell me, with these trailers, who’s bonking who?” Turner laughed at the memory. “I mean, it’s a f****** fair point!”[2]
The World of Rivals and Its Enduring Appeal
Rivals transports viewers to 1986 Rutshire, where rival media moguls Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) clash amid sex, scandal, and corporate intrigue. Turner’s Declan O’Hara, poached from the BBC, navigates the chaos alongside a stellar cast including Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Nafessa Williams, and Danny Dyer.[4])
Season one premiered on Disney+ in October 2024 to critical acclaim, earning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and an International Emmy for drama. Filming for the second season, renewed swiftly after the debut’s success, began in May 2025 and captured the era’s excess with sharp class satire and unapologetic humor. Cooper’s fingerprints remained evident throughout, from the faithful adaptation to her on-set cameos.[4])
The series not only revived interest in her bonkbuster novels but also introduced her cheeky storytelling to new audiences. Turner’s role as the brooding yet charismatic O’Hara became a highlight, blending intensity with the show’s playful tone.
A Lasting Legacy in Season Two
As Rivals season two approaches its May 15, 2026 premiere, the production carries forward without its matriarch, yet infused with her essence. Turner’s anecdote underscores the deep bonds formed during filming, turning a moment of personal dread into collective mourning. The show endures as a testament to Cooper’s talent for blending glamour, rivalry, and raw humanity.
Her unexpected departure mid-production amplified the emotional stakes, much like the dramatic turns in her own narratives. Fans anticipate how the series will honor her memory, ensuring the queen of bonkbusters lives on through every scandalous twist.
