Yahoo News Rivals star Emily Atack hits back at "sexually aggressive" trolls
Rivals star Emily Atack has hit back at "sexually aggressive" trolls.
Adapted from Dame Jilly Cooper's best-selling novel, the series is set in the social elite of the 1980s, focusing on the rivalry between Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and MP Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell).
Atack plays Sarah Stratton, who tried to leverage a TV presenter post by flaunting her marriage to the prime minister's deputy, Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones).
In one memorable scene, Sarah played a game of naked tennis with Campbell-Black on the lawn of a country estate.
Related: Best streaming services in 2024
In an interview with The Times, Atack revealed that she has received a lot of backlash for appearing in the scene, with trolls screenshotting images as if they were leaked footage from the set.
"I knew something like that would happen, just not this quickly," she said. "I'm at work, I'm playing a part, that scene is integral to the book. I am exactly where I need to be.
"I can't control people's sexually aggressive behaviour, but I can continue with my campaigning and fighting for women's freedom. I should be able to do a scene like this and not receive negative attention. The two should not go hand in hand."
Related: David Tennant's new hit show has streaming future addressed
Atack continued: "A woman said to me on Instagram the other day, 'Pick a lane. You can't play a racy role like that and get your clothes off and expect not to get messages. Why would you take that role?'
"And I wanted to say to her, 'Are you telling me essentially to quit my job?' Why should I? Women have to change their clothes, we have to change our routes home. I'm a professional. I'm never going to please everybody."
Speaking to Digital Spy about the nude scene, the actor previously explained that she was more worried about learning to play tennis than appearing naked on screen.
"It wasn't, 'I'm gonna have to run around a tennis court completely starkers'. But, I like a big entrance. I was like, 'Yeah, bring it on'," she said.
Related: David Tennant teases "exciting" soundtrack for new '80s drama
"We keep saying that the nudity and sex scenes are a huge part of this, but there's always a reason for them. We're not just getting our kit off for no reason. They're very integral to the storylines and characters."
Rivals also features Poldark's Aidan Turner, Sex Education's Bella Maclean, Our Girl's Luke Pasqualino, Once Upon a Time's Victoria Smurfit and EastEnders star Danny Dyer.
BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Elliot Hegarty, known for his work on Ted Lasso and Trying, is the lead director.
Since landing on Disney+ last month, the show has received wide acclaim from fans and critics, and boasts a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 33 reviews.
Rivals is available to stream on Disney+.
You Might Also Like
