In Jilly Cooper's novel, it is implied that Charles is a gay man, although this is never explicitly confirmed. In the TV series it is explicit. What conversations did you have with the writer Dominic Treadwell-Collins to clarify this and ensure it doesn't get pushed aside?

First, I had to leave my modern privilege at the door. I have been traveling and proud my entire adult life. The producers had to keep saying, “No, no, no. That’s how it was.’ I would sort of rage against it with my modern privilege. With queer artists portraying the roles, there was a real closeness and trust between us.

Our writers nailed it and it was a constantly moving, evolving conversation. It wasn't set in stone. There were certain things in there that were taken out, and I'm not sure if they'll come back up across the board. I always had to be pulled back and forced to face reality. That's when a lot of my anger came out. I just assumed he was out and they said, “Yeah, he is.” But if someone in that office had asked him if he was gay, he would have said, “No, I'm not.” That is the reality.

In the compromised relationship that Gerald offers him…I felt like he was in a straitjacket in a lot of ways. His hopes were so short-sighted and tiny, but returning to that world and portraying it now makes me so proud and galvanized for us. It sucked. It was really terrible.

Even the actors we work with, beautiful, open-minded, wonderful actors who say nasty things, like David Tennant, would say, “I'm so sorry.” I know we're just acting, but the air in the room would change thereby change. But the sad thing is that this happened and is still happening and no one questions it.

Rivals It's not all homophobia and darkness. There are also some pretty funny scenes. Let's talk about the sex montage scene in episode one – Charles Fairburn is down there with Gerald Middleton and goes looking for apples.

Charles is the OG Hawk Tuah. He was an icon before his time.

Charles and Gerald
📸: Rivals (Hulu) pic.twitter.com/ULh9zQ9EqX

— 𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓰𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓻𝔂 (@Mont6147) October 23, 2024

It's explicit, straight-up gay sex. Would it always be like this?

I think so… I've never seen anything like it. So be a member? It was important to the producers that the gay boys were the focus and that we had our place at the table or in the bedroom. It's really nice to be part of it and not that it's an addendum, an addition, an appendage. We are absolutely a part of the world and our history is interwoven with the rest of it.

I was 39 when I got the job. I'm 40 now. My agent said, “There's a lot of nudity and if you're not okay with that, you probably won't get the job.” I thought if they wanted to pay me at 39 to take my gear off, You are welcome to have that. The nice thing is that everyone else took part, especially during the assembly. It's like this big naked celebration. Sex sells!

What a start to the series.

You can't decide what becomes iconography or part of the canon. But I think they absolutely must have known it would get attention. One of the reviews said that no one is trying to be sexy. Especially as an artist, I would die if I had to walk into a room and be like a big Lothario. So if you have a touch of that certain British flair, I think it's really eye-catching.

By doing it the way they did it, we're absolutely setting the tone and saying, 'This is what we're doing.' Would you like to join us for the next seven episodes? Of course you do, get the remote.' I tried to give it full romance and from behind (director Elliot Hegarty) just kept saying, 'Bob faster.'

What were the mechanics behind your sex scenes? Did you and Hubert spend a lot of time together before?

The nice thing is, Hubert and I had spoken. When I knew we were both cast and the decision was approaching and production had told us we were going to be in the deep end pretty quickly, I thought instead of waiting anxiously, I asked production if they could give Hubert my number and vice versa. We probably talked four or five days before we even met, just because I've never done anything that intimate before. We talked on the phone, squealed a little and (to) celebrate. It was a huge task for all of us.

Hubert is the warmest and friendliest, and we both started from the same point of view. So the intimacy was pretty exciting.

We had to have two intimacy coordinators because there was quite a bit of nudity. It is really helpful for those who need it. I felt safe and secure anyway, but just having that unwavering support and it's someone in that position breaking the ice for you that day. You take off your clothes and you do it. It's an unpleasant thing. I had a nice time, no disrespect but I'm glad I don't have to do it all the time.

OK, time for a classic: fuck, marry, kill Rivals' three main actors: Tony (David Tennant), Rupert (Alex Hassell) and Declan (Aidan Turner)?

Well, we have to kill Tony because he's a big, bad bully and homophobe. So he's gone. Bye. I think I'd fuck Rupert and marry Declan. I love them all, but as characters that's my job.

Rivals is now streaming on Disney+.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

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