The highly anticipated second season of Rivals is now streaming on Disney+, with its premiere episode featuring a poignant homage to the late Dame Jilly Cooper. At the conclusion of episode one, viewers are presented with a black-and-white title card showcasing a youthful photo of Dame Jilly reclining gracefully on a sofa, dressed elegantly in a black dress and fishnet tights. The simple yet touching tribute reads: “Dame Jilly Cooper, 1937-2025.”
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer of Rivals, shared in a recent Q&A screening the profound impact of Dame Jilly’s passing on the production team. “She’s up there today, and we all keep saying that she got to see Rivals 1, got to see Rivals 2, and witnessed a whole new generation fall in love with her books,” he reflected. “That’s rare, and this series truly is a tribute to her.”
Dame Jilly Cooper, revered for her best-selling novels that inspired the show, sadly passed away at 88 due to a head injury sustained from a fall at her home on October 5, 2025. Her illustrious career began in journalism with contributions to The Sunday Times and The Mail on Sunday before she released her debut book, How to Stay Married, in 1969.
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She gained widespread acclaim for The Rutshire Chronicles, a beloved series that includes Riders, Rivals, and Polo. Her literary achievements were recognized with the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours. In 2025, the Jilly Cooper Prize was inaugurated as part of the Comedy Women in Print Awards, celebrating her significant contribution to comic fiction.
During the Q&A, Dominic fondly recalled Dame Jilly’s involvement in the show: “Her death was a shock — which is odd to say about someone in their 80s — especially since we spoke on the Thursday before she passed suddenly that weekend. This entire series stands as a tribute to her.”
He added some personal anecdotes: “Her fingerprints are all over the show. She even gave me notes on episode 12 just days before she died. She chastised me for a sex scene I wrote, saying, ‘Dominic! You’re so naughty, Dom!’ And I replied, ‘Jilly, you wrote it all — I took it verbatim.’ She laughed, ‘I’m naughty then, aren’t I?!’”
Dominic praised her further, describing her as “incredible and an amazing friend, constantly visiting the set and contributing her sharp wit and wisdom.”
Fans can now immerse themselves in the first three episodes of Rivals season 2 on Disney+, with new episodes releasing weekly.