Actor Alex Hassell, known for his roles in sci-fi and fantasy shows like His Dark Materials, Cowboy Bebop and The Boys, is set to become the next big small-screen heart-throb. The 44 year old has been cast as the "notorious rake" Rupert Campbell-Black in Disney Plus' surprisingly racy adaptation of Jilly Cooper's 1980s bonkbuster Rivals.
Despite being "actually quite shy," Alex decided to break the ice on set by stripping off and doing a cartwheel in front of the entire cast and crew.
He told the Mail on Sunday that he knew playing the villainous former show jumper would involve a good deal of nudity: "It was made clear to me that sexuality and sex was a big part of his life and world, and what I would have to be engaging in."
Part of that sexually-charged lifestyle involves his character playing a naked game of tennis with Sarah Stratton, played by Inbetweeners star Emily Atack.
Alex admits he wasn't familiar with the Jilly Cooper 'Rutshire' novels on which the show has been based, and was a little "nervous' when he first read the script. Many of Rupert Campbell-Black's actions would be considered shocking to modern eyes.
However, he points out that the story's 1980s setting means it shouldn't be judged by today's standards: "It's a period piece," he says, "And it's about the mores of that time."
One example of those very different times comes from another one of Rupert Campbell-Black's romantic conquests on the show. In Dame Jilly Cooper's original 1988 novel, Taggie is described as an 18 year old while Rupert is in his late thirties.
"I find it difficult that, in every film you see, there's a 40-something man with a young woman," Alex confesses. "I don't think that should be an industry standard unless it's relevant to the narrative."
But in the freshly-minted 2024 telly adaptation, the questionable age gap has been trimmed, although, off-screen, Alex and Bella's own ages are even further apart – she's a fresh-faced 23 year old.
But luckily, Alex and Bella had immediate camaraderie: "We immediately got on very well. We really had a laugh."
Alex, despite decades of work on stage and screen, says he's not all that outgoing: "I am actually quite shy," he says, "but I'm much more comfortable if I know what my role is supposed to be in a social situation."
And he's very happy in his current role: "A great role is a great role," he states, finding Rupert "a big, complex, layered part."
He hints at a trend in his roles, chuckling, "My wife says I have resting evil face," signifying his frequent casting as the baddie.
English (US) ·