Aidan Turner has revealed viewers will be treated to a hilarious nod to his role as the shirtless Cornish heatthrob Ross Poldark, as he takes on one of his raciest roles yet in Jilly Cooper's 'bonkbuster' Rivals.
The 41-year-old actor took on the title role of Ross Poldark in the 2015 revival of the BBC series.
He garnered a lot of attention thanks to his rippling physique being on display in many scenes of the period drama, cementing his status as a Hollywood hunk.
And now, the star will be stripping down to the waist once again in his new Disney+ series Rivals.
The upcoming adaption of Jilly Cooper's iconic novel features a star-studded cast with David Tennant, Emily Atack and Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson, Oliver Chris and Claire Rushbrook joining the fold.
Aidan Turner has revealed viewers will be treated to a hilarious nod to his role as the shirtless Cornish heatthrob Ross Poldark, as he takes on one of his raciest roles yet in Rivals
The 41-year-old actor took on the title role of Ross Poldark in the 2015 revival of the BBC series
The story is set in 1986 and follows the cut throat world of television, including the tense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant).
In the highly-anticipated show, Aidan is portraying intelligent TV presenter Declan O'Hara, whom will be convinced to leave the BBC for independent channel Corinium, only for him to feel let down.
Hilariously, one of the fictional TV shows that's featured in the series is called Four Men Went to Mow and sees farmers carrying out their work with their tops off.
And in one very ironic scene, Aidan even yells: 'TV can't just be men taking their tops off!'
Discussing the moment with The Times Culture Magazine, the actor joked: 'When I read the script, I was like, 'Why have you put this in? It's too close [to Poldark].'
'But then they told me it's in the original books - and it's so funny. The first time I did that scene, people were laughing. It's good to poke fun at these things.'
Disney+ dropped the extravagant Rivals trailer in June - and it looks like there are plenty of racy scenes.
Aidan's character is married to Maud, played by fellow Irish actor Victoria Smurfit.
He garnered a lot of attention thanks to his rippling physique being on display in many scenes of the period drama, cementing his status as a Hollywood hunk (pictured left in Poldark, right in Rivals)
![Discussing the moment with The Times , the actor joked: 'When I read the script, I was like, 'Why have you put this in? It's too close [to Poldark]' (pictured above in the Rivals trailer)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/14/12/89671329-13849917-image-a-147_1726313918519.jpg)
Discussing the moment with The Times , the actor joked: 'When I read the script, I was like, 'Why have you put this in? It's too close [to Poldark]' (pictured above in the Rivals trailer)
Disney+ dropped the extravagant Rivals trailer in June - and it looks like there are plenty of racy scenes among its star-studded cast
Aidan has also undergone a transformation, sporting a distinctive moustache to play TV presenter Declan O'Hara.
Declan is described as fiercely intellectual, with an even fiercer temper, and is wooed to Corinium TV from the BBC by Tony.
More iconic characters from the drama were unveiled in a second wave of images, introducing Sarah Stratton (Emily), who is described as ambitious and not afraid to use her looks to get to the top.
She is married to Deputy Prime Minister Paul Stratton (Rufus Jones) who is in the throes of a midlife crisis - everyone knows it.
Danny Dyer is also starring as Freddie Jones, a self-made electronics millionaire, while Lisa McGrillis has been cast as his social-climbing wife Valerie.
Luke Pasqualino is starring as the charming Basil 'Bas' Baddingham, Tony's younger brother and the proprietor of Cotchester's hot spot, 'Bar Sinister'.
Caitlin O’Hara (Catriona), James Vereker (Oliver Chris), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook) and Maud O’Hara (Victoria Smurfit) also star.
According to Disney+, Rivals is a 'joyously mischievous rollercoaster ride, steamy in its love stories and packed with larger-than-life characters'.
The story is set in 1986 and follows the cut throat world of television, including the tense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant)
More iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in a second wave of images, introducing Sarah Stratton (Emily), described as ambitious and not afraid to use her looks
Danny Dyer is also starring as Freddie Jones, a self-made electronics millionaire, while Lisa McGrillis has been cast as his social-climbing wife Valerie
According to Disney+, Rivals is a 'joyously mischievous rollercoaster ride, steamy in its love stories and packed with larger-than-life characters'
Katherine Parkinson is pictured wearing a floral sundress and wellies in a field of flowers, as Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life
Meanwhile, Alex is playing the role of dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black
Finally, Bella Maclean is pictured sitting on a couch in wooden living room with her pet dog, playing Taggie O'Hara, Declan's tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter
The streaming service continues that it brings a '2020s lens to the 1980s', offering a 'raw exploration of a complicated moment in British history when class, race, sex, wealth, and sexual liberation meant that, for the very privileged few, there were no limits to what they could achieve'.
Following the announcement executive producer and Rivals author Jilly Cooper commented: 'I'm utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals'.
'Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn't have dreamed of a better ensemble cast'.
'I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life. 'The minute we met with Alex we knew he'd perfectly embody my all-time hero, the iconic, racy, ruthless, and devastatingly handsome, Rupert Campbell-Black. Viewers are in for a treat!'.
The series is set to debut on Disney+ in the UK on October 18, Hulu in the U.S. and on Disney+ in other countries later this year.
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