Jilly Cooper, the celebrated author famed for her seductive “bonkbuster” novels and the much-loved Rutshire Chronicles, has died at the age of 88 following a reported fall. Her passing marks the end of an era for millions of devoted readers worldwide.
Her children, Felix and Emily Cooper, shared a heartfelt statement: “Mum was the shining light of our lives. Her boundless love for family and friends was unmatched. Her sudden loss has left us utterly heartbroken. We are incredibly proud of all she accomplished and will forever cherish her infectious smile and laughter.”
While Cooper authored an impressive 18 novels, including 11 in the Rutshire series, only a handful have been adapted for television or film.
READ MORE: Map Reveals Locations of 145 Claire’s Stores Closing Across UK and Ireland, Including Somerset
READ MORE: Bath Rugby Appoints Former England Attack Coach Martin Gleeson
Her first and arguably most iconic novel, Riders, was brought to the screen in a 1993 TV film starring Marcus Gilbert as the charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black, a former showjumper turned MP. Emmerdale’s Michael Praed also appeared as Jake Lovell, a Romani rider seeking revenge against Rupert’s years of bullying. Despite its popularity, Riders is currently unavailable on ITV’s streaming service, ITVX.
More recently, Rivals—the second book in the Rutshire Chronicles—was adapted into a high-profile TV series launched on Disney+ last year. Featuring Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black and David Tennant as the ruthless TV executive Lord Tony Baddingham, the series has received strong acclaim. A second season is already in development, promising further adaptations from the Rutshire series, including Polo and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous.
Speaking of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, this novel was previously adapted into a three-part miniseries in 1997. Hugh Bonneville (of Downton Abbey fame) appeared briefly as Ferdinand Fitzgerald, with Hollyoaks actor Stephen Billington portraying tennis star Lysander Hawksley. Like Riders, this miniseries is not yet available for streaming but could see renewed interest following Cooper’s passing.
The earliest adaptation of Cooper’s work dates back to 1976 with a six-part series based on her debut novel, Emily. Produced by Thames Television, the series featured Gemma Craven as Emily, the fiancée of a rather dull Tory MP who is swept off her feet by the artist Rory, played by Ronald Pickup. This lesser-known series is also currently unavailable for viewing.
Before standing out as a novelist, Cooper was the creative mind behind the 1971 BBC sitcom It’s Awfully Bad for Your Eyes, Darling, starring Joanna Lumley. This six-episode series about four posh London women sharing a flat only survives as a single pilot episode in the BBC archives, with the rest lost over time.
For now, fans can enjoy Rivals on Disney+ and look forward to its upcoming second season as a fitting tribute to Jilly Cooper’s enduring legacy.