Rivals: Official teaser trailer
Bella Maclean is one of the breakout stars of new Dame Jilly Cooper series Rivals which has been released on Disney+.
The eight-part drama focuses on the intense rivalry between two ambitious and charismatic men, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), filled with sex, romantic entanglements, and shocking antics.
Actress Bella Maclean plays Declan and Maud's eldest daughter Taggie. Despite only being 20, Taggie is often the most responsible one in the O'Hara household, and has dreams of starting her own catering business and finding her perfect romantic match.
Taggie enjoyed a deep relationship with Rupert Campbell-Black and viewers were left gripped by the will they/won't they dynamic.
It's the latest big role for Bella who has enjoyed a breakout role in a Netflix drama and is now building a promising acting career. This is who Bella Maclean is, her early life and career and inisde her life.
Early life and career of Bella Maclean
Bella Maclean grew up in New York where her parents worked.
Her family moved to East Sussex when Bella was 10 and later won a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Before her final year, Maclean had a big role in the musical Spring Awakening at the Almeida.
The Covid-19 pandemic put the musical on hold but the cast and production put on the show in-between lockdowns. She graduated from Guildhall in 2020.
Bella appeared in two short films in and around her studies, namely La La Means I Love You in 2018 and Dragged Up in 2021.
What is Bella Maclean's biggest role so far?
Bella Maclean's most recognisable role is Jem in the final season of Netflix's Sex Education. Jem worked at her father's farm, giving horse riding classes to kids and enjoys a growing friendship and relationship with Adam.
Prior to Sex Education, Bella starred in Silent Witness as Sara Mendes in series 26. She was the sister of Fiona (Hannah Rae) who becomes a key suspect in the probe into the death of businessman and former influencer Jay Prain (Lewis Griffiths).
Bella Maclean's part in Rivals is set to be another breakthrough role for the British-American actress, who is a rising star in British TV.
Earlier this year, Bella made her debut at the Royal National Theatre in 2024 appearing in London Tide as Bella Wilfer.
Bella Maclean's life outside of TV
Bella Maclean currently lives in West London after moving to the capital for acting work. She revealed to the London Standard she was in fact 26 not 23, despite articles claiming she was younger than previously stated.
This also confused her cast mates and she recalled: "I don’t know where anyone got that from, even people in the cast keep saying that after reading it online. I’m 26."
Bella largely keeps a quiet life with minimal updates on social media.
