Who is Perdita in Rivals? Rupert Campbell-Black's secret uncovered

Alex Hassell stars as Rupert Campbell-Black
-Credit: (Image: DISNEY)


Rivals has gone down a storm on Disney+ with the raunchy drama based on Jilly Cooper's novels.

Heartthrob Rupert Campbell-Black (played by Alex Hassell) is at the helm of the series, which is set in the 80s.

The series follows the rivalry between TV boss Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and Rupert, and Tony's latest client is prepared to dish the dirt on the MP.

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In one episode, TV presenter Declan O'Hara (Aidan Turner) uncovers a scandal involving Rupert but viewers never got to see what it was about.

Declan pulled the plug on the exposé at the last minute, but fans managed to spot the name 'Perdita' on Declan's piece of paper.

Declan O'Hara was going to expose Rupert's secret
Declan O'Hara was going to expose Rupert's secret -Credit:DISNEY

Perdita is in fact the heroine of Polo, the sequel to Rivals in the author's Rutshire Chronicles.

She turns out to be the illegitimate daughter of Rupert, so future seasons of the show could definitely feature Perdita.

Rupert learning of his daughter's existence would be a huge plot point if season two is given the green light.

The blurb for Jilly Cooper's Polo explains: "We meet Ricky France-Lynch, who is moody, macho, and magnificent.

"He had a large crumbling estate, a nine-goal polo handicap, and a beautiful wife who was fair game for anyone with a chequebook.

Tony and Declan were going to reveal all about Rupert
Tony and Declan were going to reveal all about Rupert -Credit:DISNEY

"He also had the adoration of fourteen-year-old Perdita MacLeod. Perdita couldn’t wait to leave her dreary school and become a polo player.

"The polo set were ritzy, wild, and gloriously promiscuous. Perdita thought she’d get along with them very well.

"But before she had time to grow up, Ricky’s life exploded into tragedy, and Perdita turned into a brat who loved only her horses – and Ricky France-Lynch.

"Ricky’s obsession to win back his wife, and Perdita’s to win both Ricky and a place as a top class polo player, take the reader on a wildly exciting journey."

Rivals is available to watch on Disney+