Rivals’ Aidan Turner Aims for Realism in Declan’s Shirtless Scenes

Aidan Turner drew significant attention when he bared it all on Rivals. He is now sharing insights into why he aimed for Declan’s physique to appear genuine on screen.

“He’s a father and a journalist, so making him look overly sculpted would be a bit strange,” Turner, 41, explained exclusively to Us Weekly regarding his take on those shirtless scenes. “I’ve seen actors in films or TV shows where their character’s profession doesn’t demand a [very muscular] appearance. When they’re naked, you think, ‘Wait a minute, I know what that requires. I know the training, the dieting, and the intense exercise involved. I know you don’t have the time for that.’”

Turner aimed to avoid leaving viewers questioning whether Declan’s look was too flawless, especially after his chiseled portrayal in Poldark.

“I didn’t want it to become one of those instances where it’s just a TV appearance. I wanted it to feel authentic,” he remarked. “I usually stay in decent shape, so the pressure was entirely on me. Fortunately, we had incredible intimacy coordinators for the show’s NSFW scenes.”

He added: “Our priority is getting the shot. However, many of my colleagues on this project don’t get overly self-conscious. We just proceed with our work. When you’re part of a Jilly Cooper production, you understand the landscape. Sexual content is part of it, and if it’s any more than that, it will be included.”

Based on British author Cooper’s novel of the same name, Disney+ and Hulu’s Rivals depicts a rivalry between two men competing for dominance at a television station in 1980s Britain. The series features a talented ensemble cast, including Turner, David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Bella MacLean, Nafessa Williams, Katherine Parkinson, Victoria Smurfit, Emily Atack, and Danny Dyer.

“It’s always wonderful to hear how positively the show and Declan have been received. Any actor who claims not to want such feedback is not being honest. Hearing positive remarks is especially gratifying in the early days of a show’s release,” Turner mentioned to Us regarding the favorable reviews. “I’ve seen the response in this country [the U.K.], which has been very encouraging.”

With Rivals confirmed for a second season, Turner is eager to continue delivering what the audience desires.

“There’s an amusing situation that occurs when you have a lot of experience over 20 years. You successfully conclude some projects and others you completely miss the target,” he joked. “When you do hit the target, you start hearing from people you haven’t heard from in a while. Friends I haven’t talked to in months have reached out to say they love the show. And it’s like, ‘Wow, it must be making an impact.”

Turner, who does not use social media but hears about the excitement indirectly, expresses gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “However, not being involved in social media does keep you out of the loop. Still, I love hearing that the reception is very positive. … I guess it remains a pleasant surprise when people respond favorably to a show.”

He concluded, “As an actor, there can be a lot of disappointment, and some shows you expect will succeed do not — leaving you puzzled. I stopped trying to decipher what the industry wants or what resonates with the market a long time ago. Hearing such positive feedback, though, is incredibly heartwarming. It brings a genuine smile to my face.”

Rivals is currently available for streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

For more reasons why Turner is one of the celebrities we are googling shirtless this week, grab the latest issue of Us Weekly, on shelves now.