Bella Maclean captivates as a classic English rose in a stunning ELLE UK cover shoot, highlighting her natural beauty and discussing her breakout role in the Disney+ hit series Rivals.

The 28-year-old actress models flowing cream outfits with a fresh-faced makeup look in an ethereal, minimalist photoshoot. She flaunts her svelte figure in a figure-hugging negligee-inspired dress and strikes dynamic poses, including a draped backless blouse against a blue sky backdrop with arms raised and a beaming smile.

Behind-the-Scenes Laughter and Firing Fears

Despite rave reviews for her performance as Taggie O’Hara in season one, Maclean reveals she feared dismissal early on. Her co-stars’ antics kept breaking her character, leading to constant laughter on set.

‘I spent so much time laughing on this job that, in the first season, I was worried I’d be fired,’ she explains. ‘Taggie is so serious and earnest – she’s wonderful to play – but I also have Alex Hassell and Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer, who all love making me break [character].’

‘When you’re on the cusp of laughing all the time, there’s an energy that’s so fizzy – everyone’s chemistry is so strong.’

The cast formed a tight-knit group, fostering a positive atmosphere during filming of the comedy-drama, adapted from Dame Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel. It debuted on Disney+ in October 2024, quickly earning renewal for season two amid the 1980s TV franchise wars filled with love, lust, and intrigue.

Deepening Friendships with Co-Stars

Maclean, younger than most co-stars, built strong bonds, especially with Alex Hassell (Rupert Campbell-Black, her onscreen love interest) and Danny Dyer (Freddie Jones).

‘One of the nicest things about this job is you end up with friends across completely different ages and backgrounds who you would never normally meet,’ she says. ‘Alex is 45 – he’s some random bloke I met two years ago and is now my bezzie mate!’

‘If I have something like a broken heart, Danny is the person I call. There was an incident that happened and I called him up and he was like, “All right, where is he!” He gives advice but it’s not even that. He has my back so much and I have his. Danny makes everyone feel like the most special person.’

Navigating the Age Gap in Taggie and Rupert’s Romance

Maclean addresses the age difference between Taggie (aged up to 20 in the adaptation from 18 in the novels) and 37-year-old Rupert, viewing it through a modern lens despite the 1980s setting. Dame Jilly Cooper supported the changes.

‘Jilly was so wonderful about it,’ Maclean notes. ‘She knew it wasn’t the same Taggie as in the books. Although it’s set in the 80s, we’re telling it from a 21st Century lens. It’s still a massive age gap. I feel so strongly about this.’

She worried about audience reactions but defends their ‘soul connection.’ ‘I was so worried about what people would think. But Gen Z seem to love it! My girlfriends send me these really funny reels of me and Rupert on TikTok.’

‘Because of the way it’s done, because they really loved each other at first sight, I just feel like it’s a soul connection with them. Taggie is wise beyond her years – she sees him for all his faults and believes he can change, and he really sees her. That’s what’s so painful. There’s so much going against them, but there’s a pureness to their love. It’s very Disney princessy, which I still love.’

Season Two Promises More Intensity

Co-stars tease an even raunchier second season. Danny Dyer, whose Freddie cheats with Katherine Parkinson’s Lizzie Vereker, says: ‘We’re delving into the complications of two people who are madly in love but married with children to other people. There are a lot of people rooting for infidelity, which is quite rare.’

Aidan Turner (Declan O’Hara) describes a steamy shower scene with Victoria Smurfit’s Maud as ‘fun,’ noting their comfort: ‘Victoria and I are very comfortable with each other. We’ve worked together quite intimately since the first series and we just clicked straight away – it might be the Irish thing.’

Emily Atack (Sarah Stratton) highlights a complex dinner party scene nailed in one take: ‘You’ve got to know the lines inside out, know every bit of the rhythm of it… [It was] genuine, having had a feeling of “I’ve done it”.’