Bella Maclean, 24, revealed that she specifically negotiated a no-nudity clause into her contract for the role of Taggie O'Hara in the Disney+ series "Rivals." She told Harper's Bazaar UK that the decision was important to her to avoid 'sexually exploiting' her character, who she described as pure, and to protect herself as well.
Maclean stated that her personal boundaries regarding nudity would remain consistent for future roles. She expressed no judgment towards cast members who chose to appear nude, acknowledging the beauty that can be conveyed and even joking about showing off if she possessed a different physique. She also highlighted the presence of intimacy coordinators on set, noting that the cast felt comfortable saying 'no' to directors due to the supportive environment.
The series, an adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel, features numerous steamy scenes. The first season included the character Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, engaging in sexual activity and depicted naked tennis. The current season has continued this trend, with Danny Dyer appearing nude as Freddie Jones and Aidan Turner's character, Declan O'Hara, also seen naked after an encounter with his wife Maud, played by Victoria Smurfit.
Maclean portrays Taggie's infatuation with the older Rupert Campbell-Black. While the novel depicted Taggie as 18 and Rupert as 37, the television adaptation ages Taggie to 20. Maclean has previously defended their age-gap romance as a "soul connection."
She also reflected on Dame Jilly Cooper's enduring influence on the series, even a year after the author's death. Maclean described Cooper as the "heart of everything" and felt her "naughtiness" and penchant for pushing boundaries were evident in the current season.
The second half of "Rivals" season two is set to return to Disney+ on November 11. The December/January issue of Harper's Bazaar UK, featuring Maclean, goes on sale November 6.