A NEW series has been released on Disney+ with locations seen from various locations across the South West.

Set in the ruthless world of 1980s independent television, the drama follows the rivalry between notorious womaniser Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell and TV boss Lord Tony Baddingham, played by David Tennant. 

The Rivals series is an adaption of one of Dame Jilly Cooper’s most-loved novels.

The new show has been a hit - with fans notably pointing out that they recognised some of the locations shot in the series.

The show is based in the county of Rutshire, but unfortunately, Rutshire itself isn’t a real place.

It was invented by Cooper for her novel series, The Rutshire Chronicles.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still visit the Rivals filming locations in real life.

Rutshire is based on the Cotswolds and the three English counties that make up the area: Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire.

Cooper certainly knows her way around the Cotswolds, and it's no surprise Gloucestershire was the main pick for the show to be shot, as the author has lived in the village of Bisley, Gloucestershire, for over 40 years.

Several Rivals scenes were filmed in Wraxall, Somerset, and it’s been reported that Aidan Turner revealed on Facebook that the Battleaxes Pub was used for filming.

The Battleaxes, Somerset, was used on the new Disney+ show, Rivals. (Image: Google Maps)

The pub has been closed since 2020, but it was built in the Tudor style in 1882 and is Grade II-listed.

The pub in the series has a cosy feel, and a historic look, making it the perfect choice for a pub at that time.

Numerous other scenes were filmed in the town of Corsham in Wiltshire, while the city of Bristol was another key base for filming.

The drama was officially released on October 18 and includes a cast list that many people consider "TV royalty", including David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Emily Atack, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, TV Hardman, Danny Dyer, and more.

Emily Atack, who plays Sarah Stratton, the ambitious wife of the deputy prime minister, told HELLO! Magazine that the cast had "such a ball" filming the show.

"It's the best job I've ever done," she said.

"I felt so lucky to be there and be a part of it. As fun and raucous as it was, we took our roles really seriously.

"Jilly Cooper was on set all the time making sure that it was all going well and she was really happy. If you feel like you're doing a character justice, it's an amazing feeling."