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The drama is adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by British author Jilly Cooper, which is the second book in the Rutshire Chronicles series. The story takes place in the fictional upper-class society of Rutshire, where Declan O'Hara (played by Aidan Turner) joins the ruthless Korinim Television. He is a charismatic and principled star with a dazzling trophy wife, Maud (played by Victoria Smurfit), a handsome son, and two charming teenage daughters. Across the valley, Rupert Campbell-Black (played by Alex Hassell) is a former Olympic athlete, a Member of Parliament, and a notorious playboy who has been divorced and continues his decadent lifestyle; he is now the Conservative Party's Minister of Sport. His neighbor is his long-time rival, Tony Baddingham (played by David Tennant), the general manager of Korinim Television, whose wife Monica (played by Claire Rushbrook) has no interest in her husband's work. Tony also has a charming brother, Basil 'Baz' Baddingham (played by Luke Pasquino), who runs a popular pub. Soon after starting at the television station, Declan realizes that Tony hired him just to help the station retain its franchise. Not only that, the beautiful yet domineering Cameron Cook (played by Nafisa Williams), a talented American television executive, is brought to Korinim by Tony to produce Declan's new prime-time talk show. Declan and Cameron despise each other, sparking a storm of controversy into which Rupert dives in his usual fashion. Meanwhile, Freddy Jones (played by Danny Dyer) is a self-made millionaire in electronics. He has the money but discovers that he and his wife Valerie (played by Lisa McGrillis) are outsiders in the Rathshire Group. The newlywed wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Stratton (played by Rufus Jones), is ambitious and unafraid to use her looks to reach the top. Romance novelist Lizzie Vickers (played by Katherine Parkinson) feels neglected by her vain, self-centered television host husband, James Vickers (played by Oliver Chris). With a rival appearing to promote the movie's franchise, the ebb and flow of fame, the blossoming and burning of true love, the building and breaking of marriages... the battle for the Cotswolds crown begins in the bedroom and in the boardroom.