In Riot Women, five women form a makeshift punk-rock band in a bid to enter a local talent contest. As they write their first original song, they realize they have much more to express.
The BBC and BritBox have unveiled the first look at Riot Women, the highly anticipated new drama from multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright, best known for Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, and Gentleman Jack. Set and filmed in the picturesque Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, this six-part series is produced by Drama Republic, a Mediawan Company, and co-commissioned by the BBC and BritBox. Worldwide distribution is managed by Mediawan Rights.
The newly released images showcase the Riot Women band in action, offering fans a glimpse of the show’s vibrant energy. The cast features an impressive ensemble of talent, including Joanna Scanlan (After Love, The Thick of It) as Beth, Rosalie Craig (Moonflower Murders, Serpent Queen) as Kitty, Tamsin Greig (Sexy Beast, The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) as Holly, Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Alma’s Not Normal) as Jess, and Amelia Bullmore (The Buccaneers, Vienna Blood) as Yvonne. The band’s riotous backing singers are portrayed by Taj Atwal (Line of Duty), Chandeep Uppal (Holby City), and Macy Jacob-Seelochan (Shadow and Bone).
In Riot Women, five women form a makeshift punk-rock band in a bid to enter a local talent contest. As they write their first original song, they realize they have much more to express. As they juggle their personal lives—demanding jobs, complicated relationships, and children—they discover that their music is a catalyst for transformation. The series explores themes of friendship, the power of music, and the resilience of women who challenge societal expectations and refuse to be silenced by age.
However, as the band grows closer, a long-buried secret emerges, threatening to unravel everything. The complex relationship between Kitty and Beth, the two driving forces behind the band, becomes entangled in a web of emotional turmoil that could tear the group apart.
Sally Wainwright, creator, writer, and director of Riot Women, expressed her excitement: “I’m having a whole new buzz of excitement about the show as we bring it together in the edit, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!”
The series also stars Anne Reid (The Sixth Commandment), Sue Johnston (The Royle Family), Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), and many more, with original songs featured from the band ARXX.
Riot Women is set to premiere later this year on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, with BritBox airing the series in the US and Canada. Mediawan Rights will handle international distribution, with Entourage Ventures also participating.
