Aidan Turner harks back to his Poldark days as he strips off in a trailer for Disney+ series Rivals.
Eight years after the actor, 41, cemented his heartthrob status thanks to his rippling physique in the period drama, Aidan goes shirtless once again.
The upcoming adaption of Jilly Cooper’s iconic novel features a star-studded cast with David Tennant, Emily Atack and Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, Oliver Chris and Claire Rushbrook joining the fold.
Disney+ dropped the extravagant trailer on Tuesday – and it looks like there are plenty of racy scenes.
Aidan will play intelligent TV presenter Declan O’Hara, whom will be convinced to leave the BBC for independent channel Corinium, only for him to feel let down.
Aidan Turner harks back to his Poldark days as he strips off in a trailer for Disney+ series Rivals
Eight years after the actor, 41, cemented his heartthrob status thanks to his rippling physique in the period drama, Aidan goes shirtless once again, but this time with a moustache
His character is married to Maud, played by fellow Irish actor Victoria Smurfit.
Aidan has also undergone a transformation, sporting a distinctive moustache to play TV presenter Declan O’Hara.
Declan is described as fiercely intellectual, with an even fiercer temper, and is wooed to Corinium TV from the BBC by Tony.
The story is set in 1986 and follows the cut throat world of independent television, including the tense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and the ambitious and egotistical controller of Corinium Television, Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant).
More iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in this second wave of images, introducing Sarah Stratton (Emily), who is described as ambitious and not afraid to use her looks to get to the top.
She is married to Deputy Prime Minister Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones) who is in the throes of a midlife crisis – everyone knows it.
Danny Dyer is also starring as Freddie Jones, a self-made electronics millionaire, while Lisa McGrillis has been cast as his social-climbing wife Valerie.
Luke Pasqualino is starring as the charming Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Tony’s younger brother and the proprietor of Cotchester’s hot spot, ‘Bar Sinister’.
Disney+ dropped the trailer on Tuesday – and it looks like there are plenty of racy scenes
The story is set in 1986 and follows the cut throat world of television, including the tense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant)
Declan is described as fiercely intellectual, with an even fiercer temper, and is wooed to Corinium TV from the BBC by Tony
More iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in this second wave of images, introducing Sarah Stratton (Emily), described as ambitious and not afraid to use her looks
Danny Dyer is also starring as Freddie Jones, a self-made electronics millionaire, while Lisa McGrillis has been cast as his social-climbing wife Valerie
Victoria Smurfit is pictured as Maud O’Hara
According to Disney+, Rivals is a ‘joyously mischievous rollercoaster ride, steamy in its love stories and packed with larger-than-life characters’
Meanwhile, Alex is playing the role of dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black
Katherine Parkinson is pictured wearing a floral sundress and wellies in a field of flowers, as Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life
Nafessa Williams is also pictured as Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to England by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show
Finally, Bella Maclean is pictured sitting on a couch in wooden living room with her pet dog, playing Taggie O’Hara, Declan’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter
Caitlin O’Hara (Catriona), James Vereker (Oliver Chris), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook) and Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit) also star.
According to Disney+, Rivals is a ‘joyously mischievous rollercoaster ride, steamy in its love stories and packed with larger-than-life characters’.
The streaming service continues that it brings a ‘2020s lens to the 1980s’, offering a ‘raw exploration of a complicated moment in British history when class, race, sex, wealth, and sexual liberation meant that, for the very privileged few, there were no limits to what they could achieve’.
Following the announcement executive producer and Rivals author Jilly Cooper commented: ‘I’m utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals’.
‘Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better ensemble cast’.
‘I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life. ‘The minute we met with Alex we knew he’d perfectly embody my all-time hero, the iconic, racy, ruthless, and devastatingly handsome, Rupert Campbell-Black. Viewers are in for a treat!’.
During a recent interview with Watch To Watch, Aidan joked about his appearance for the role, saying: ‘I look like I’m from circa 1975 but it’s for Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, which I’m filming until October.
‘I hadn’t read Rivals before. It seems very British so it wasn’t really on my radar, but it’s really fun. But after we wrap the tache is definitely going to go and I’m going to take a break – I’d love a big holiday!’
The series is set to debut on Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ in other countries later this year.