Sally Wainwright's Riot Women is getting a second series
The first series was a huge hit
Last updated 20th Nov 2025
Following a successful first series earlier this year, the BBC have now announced Riot Women will be returning for a second instalment! Just like the first, series two will be written by multi-BAFTA award winning writer Sally Wainwright, who was also responsible for all three series of popular show Happy Valley.
Will there be a second series of Riot Women?
Yes! The news was officially announced on 20th November 2025.
Sally Wainwright said: “Oh, this is where the fun really starts! We’ve all been so deeply moved by the huge, overwhelming, joyous, emotional response to series one, and now we’re able to take the Riot Women extravaganza onto the next level! We hope you’ll all join us on the series two rollercoaster!”
Roanna Benn, executive producer for Drama Republic, said: “We are bowled over by how hugely audiences have loved and resonated with Sally’s brilliant characters and stories and by the rightful praise for the phenomenal actors who have each made their character so much their own. We have so many stories yet to tell for them and we cannot wait to get started.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: “Riot Women has resonated with millions of BBC viewers so I’m over the moon that we get to go again. An enormous thank you goes to Sally, Roanna, the team at Drama Republic and the dream cast and crew. Riot Women has made people laugh, cry, think and connect with others - what more could we ask for... Bring on the next chapter!"
As we await more info, here's everything you need to know about Riot Women...
What is Riot Women?
Riot Women is a six-part drama written by Sally Wainwright, which follows five women who create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest.
The BBC say of the first series: 'As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything. The six-part series is a testament to the power of friendship, music, and the resilience of women who refuse to be silenced by age or expectation.
'As the story (set in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire) progresses, it’s more than music that binds them; a deeply potent, long-buried secret begins to surface – one that unexpectedly entangles Kitty and Beth, the two unlikely creative masterminds behind the band, in a complex triangle - and threatens to tear everything apart.'
Sally says: "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 second series will show what comes next for the Riot Women following the dramatic turn of events in series one’s final episode. Further details will be announced in due course.
Is there a trailer?
The trailer for series one was released on Tuesday 19th August alongside the caption: 'And you thought The Clash were angry... Five women, one last chance 💥🤘 #RiotWomen coming this October to #iPlayer in the UK and @britboxtv in the US'. (sic)
There's no trailer for series two just yet.
When is it on TV?
Riot Women started on Sunday 12th October 2025 for six weeks.
There's no start date for the second series just yet.
What channel is it on?
The drama airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Check out the photos from Riot Women series one below:
Riot Women
Riot Women
Riot Women
Riot Women
Riot Women
Riot Women
Riot Women
Riot Women
Who is in the cast?
The cast for Riot Women was unveiled on Thursday 19th September 2024.
The Riot Women band is made up of Joanna Scanlan as Beth, Rosalie Craig as Kitty, Tamsin Greig as Holly, Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess, and Amelia Bullmore as Yvonne.
Anne Reid plays Nancy, Holly and Yvonne’s mother, with Sue Johnston as Jess’s Aunt Mary. Peter Davison, Claire Skinner and Angel Coulby are also part of the cast.
The series also stars Taj Atwal, Chandeep Uppal, Jonny Green, Ellise Chappell, Macy Jacob Seelochan, Tony Hirst, Shannon Lavelle, Amit Shah, Rick Warden, Ben Batt, Natalia Tena, Melanie La Barrie, Oliver Huntingdon, Richard Fleeshman, Olwen May, Kevin Doyle, and Nicholas Gleaves.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama said: “We can’t wait for viewers to meet the Riot Women when they arrive on the BBC next year. Sally’s scripts are magnificent even by her standards, and it’s no surprise that they’ve attracted such a stellar cast to bring this one-of-a-kind band and their vibrant world to life.”
What is the music?
Riot Women features original songs from the band ARXX.
How many episodes?
Riot Women series one is made up of six episodes, all lasting for 60 minutes.
Where was it filmed?
Filming for the first series took place in West Yorkshire in 2024.
Who wrote it?
Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright is creating, writing and executive producing the new drama, whilst Jessica Taylor is acting as producer, having worked on both Happy Valley and Fool Me Once.
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