Disney+ viewers thrilled by unexpected Jilly Cooper appearance in Rivals on streaming platform

Viewers were pleasantly surprised by a special appearance in the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel "Rivals." The 87-year-old author, known for her captivating Rutshire Chronicles series, made a cameo in the show, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans.

The series delves into the competitive world of television and features characters like Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, and Lord Tony Baddingham, portrayed by David Tennant. In episode five, Jilly Cooper can be seen among the diners in a restaurant as one of Lizzie Vereker’s scandalous novels is being read by her literary agent.

As the steamy narrative unfolds, Dame Jilly’s character in the background becomes increasingly shocked, her expression captured on screen. Viewers of the show quickly took to the internet to express their delight at the author’s unexpected cameo. One viewer described it as "perfection," while another praised the scene as "camp as Christmas."

The star-studded cast of "Rivals" includes Aidan Turner, Emily Atack, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, Oliver Chris, and Claire Rushbrook. The series premiered to critical acclaim, earning an impressive 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Jilly Cooper, who also served as an executive producer for the adaptation filmed over six months, revealed that she had limited input in the transition of her book to the screen.

Despite her involvement in the production, Jilly mentioned that she had minimal control over the adaptation process. She humorously shared that during her visits to the set, she was affectionately referred to not as the renowned author but as "Jago’s granny," as her grandson Jago worked as a runner on the show.

While Jilly proposed some changes to the adaptation, not all of her suggestions were implemented. She jokingly mentioned that she occasionally intervened, saying, "No, I don’t think they should be jumping on each other quite so early in the story," among other things.

The inclusion of Jilly Cooper’s cameo in "Rivals" added a fun and unexpected element to the show, further delighting fans of the prolific author and her iconic works.