Rivals stars filmed scene so intimate they feel as if they’ve ‘slept together’

Parkinson, 48, portrays the kind and gentle writer Lizzie Vereker in the acclaimed television adaptation of the popular book series written by the late author Jilly Cooper. Speaking ahead of the show’s much-anticipated return this month, Parkinson reflected on her experience filming an intense and emotionally charged conversation during the mid-season finale of season two, which aired earlier this year.

While Rivals has earned a reputation for featuring more provocative and sexually explicit scenes than many other contemporary television dramas, the sequence in question departed entirely from that dynamic. Instead of physical intimacy, the scene focused on a profound emotional exchange between Lizzie Vereker and Monica Baddingham, played by Rushbrook. Monica, the long-suffering wife of Tony Baddingham—portrayed by David Tennant—sat down with Lizzie to discuss the heavy emotional toll of their painful marriages, the burden of dealing with terrible husbands, and the daunting yet liberating possibility of walking away from those toxic relationships entirely.

Reflecting on the depth of the experience, Parkinson claimed that the emotional resonance of the shoot lingered long after the cameras stopped rolling. "Claire and I feel like we’ve slept together, like we’ve had a full intimate moment," Parkinson said. She added with a touch of lightheartedness, "We can’t really be around each other now without sort of giggling. I really did enjoy that day very much."

Beyond the personal bond formed with her co-star, Parkinson emphasized the broader significance of the scene, viewing it as a milestone not only within the fictional universe of the show but also in how women’s complex internal lives are represented on screen.

"To get to do that scene with Claire, and I don’t say this lightly because it sounds really pretentious to say it matters, but I did feel like it was quite an important scene," the actor explained, noting that the themes explored resonated deeply with her own observations of real-world relationships. "Because it was not something I’ve seen before. And yet so often people’s experience, talking about having the strength to not put up with these bad situations, these bad relationships, I think it’s still relevant from the response that we’ve had for it."

Parkinson went on to describe the sequence as a symbolic tribute to women across generations, bridging the gap between historical expectations and modern autonomy. "It felt like a gift to the women of generations gone, our mothers’ generations and our mothers’ mothers’ generations. And a gift to our daughters as well, to say it like it is, which is, ‘You deserve better’. I found it a really profound experience."

The second season of Rivals continues its rollout as Disney+ prepares to release three new episodes on 11 November, with the final three episodes of the season scheduled to air weekly thereafter. The ongoing release has reignited conversations among the cast and audience regarding the artistic choices and boundary-setting involved in bringing Jilly Cooper’s notoriously scandalous literary world to the screen.

Earlier this week, fellow cast member Bella Maclean shared insights into her own experiences on set, revealing that she had taken proactive steps to ensure her comfort and boundaries were respected by inserting a no-nudity clause into her contract before signing on to the series. Maclean portrays Taggie, the daughter of the character played by Aidan Turner in the ensemble drama.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Maclean elaborated on the reasoning behind her contractual stipulation, explaining how vital it was to protect the integrity of her character and her own personal peace of mind. "It was important because of how pure Taggie’s character was," Maclean said. "I didn’t want to sexually exploit her, and I didn’t want to do that to myself either."

She further emphasized that establishing these professional boundaries is a personal standard she intends to maintain throughout her acting career. "That was really important to me, and I think it will stay important to me. There are some things I just want to keep to myself."

As the ensemble cast navigates the intricate emotional and physical demands of the production, the widespread discussions surrounding the making of the series highlight the diverse ways the actors approach their roles. From Parkinson’s profound sense of shared vulnerability during dramatic dialogue to Maclean’s careful curation of her personal boundaries on screen, the cast continues to draw significant attention ahead of the show’s return.

Rivals returns with new episodes on 11 November.