It’s back – it’s finally time to return to Rutshire.
Tonight sees the start of the second season of ITV’s Rivals, and last night, cast members Katherine Parkinson, Annabel Scholey, the creative team from Happy Prince, the Mayor of the West of England, RTS West of England and The Bottle Yard Studios hosted a special screening and panel in Bristol, in celebration of the regional impact of production in the area.
Production of the hit Hulu Original series, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved Rutshire Chronicles, is based at The Bottle Yard Studios (TBYS) in Bristol.
95% of the locations featured in the series were filmed within a 30-mile radius of TBYS, across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, all supported by a network of Film Offices across the West of England. The hit series is produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios.
Speaking ahead of the event, Deborah Armstrong, Country Manager, The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland, noted: “Rivals has captured the attention of the nation whilst showcasing the very best of British and Irish talent across cast, crew and beyond. The West of England, and Bristol in particular, have been integral to the show’s success.
“Disney is proud of the role we play in Bristol’s thriving creative ecosystem. Our presence spans the production of local Originals such as Rivals and National Geographic documentaries, as well as bringing audiences together through live experiences, including our recent sell-out stage show, The Greatest Showman.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “The West Country is proud to be the real-life Rutshire, somewhere seen by people all around the world – and something which is inspiring more visitors to come to, and fall in love with, our region.
“We should celebrate the immense on-screen and off-screen talent that goes into making programmes like Rivals, and so it was really special to bring together so many of the people who made this production possible. Like Her Majesty The Queen, I was blown away last year while visiting Dame Jilly Cooper’s unrivalled universe first-hand at The Bottle Yard Studios in south Bristol.
“The economic impact of filming TV is huge for jobs and businesses in the West of England, which we want to super-charge through our new £25 million Creative Places Growth Fund. Rivals being made here has directly and indirectly helped add millions of pounds to the country’s fastest-growing regional economy. We look forward to continuing to work with Disney+, Happy Prince, and ITV Studios in the future to create more magic in our part of the world.”
In a speech welcoming guests, including the Tourism Minister and the British Film Commission, to the West of England, the Mayor praised the Bristol City Council-owned Bottle Yard Studios and the network of supportive Film Offices run by local councils across the region, and the impact of skills programmes like All Set West – which saw local trainees take their first steps in the industry working on Rivals, learning from world-renowned cast and crew. She also made a plug for a pair of Rivals’ iconic red heels to find a home in Bath Fashion Museum when it reopens in the coming years.
Alexander Lamb, Executive Producer, Rivals and Creative Director at Happy Prince, added: “Both Rivals series 1 and 2 were entirely made possible by the talent, ingenuity, tenacity and good humour found in the West of England. Just like Declan O’Hara’s Venturer Television, Happy Prince is committed to showcasing the very best of the region, to bring its perfect locations and the work of its gifted crew to screen for the rest of the world to enjoy. We are eternally grateful for the continued warm welcome afforded to our cast and crew and hope to be making further series of Rivals in the West of England for many years to come.”
The Bottle Yard’s Head of Studios, Katherine Nash, adds: “Rivals is a flagship scripted title for Bristol and the West, and what a pleasure it has been to celebrate this with Disney+ and the show’s brilliant cast and creative team this evening. A returning booking of this calibre is what every Studio and filming region aspires to secure and is testament to our world-class facilities and the responsive support of our Studios Team and regional Film Offices from early prep through to wrap.”
“Welcoming Happy Prince and ITV Studios back for Season 2 was an honour made all the greater by Her Majesty The Queen’s set visit during filming. The benefits this international hit is bringing to our film sector are substantial; from local crew and supply chain engagement, to supporting industry entrants through All Set West, spotlighting our stunning locations and driving wider economic spend across the region. The Bottle Yard is proud to be Studio home to Rivals, a West Country success through and through.”
