BBC reveal details of new drama by Happy Valley writer
It's called Riot Women
Last updated 19th Sep 2024
BBC bosses have announced a brand new drama called Riot Women, written by multi-BAFTA award winning writer Sally Wainwright, who was also responsible for all three series of popular show Happy Valley.
Further information has been announced by the drama, which will land in 2025, including the full cast list as filming takes place in South Yorkshire.
Sally Wainwright, creator, writer, and executive producer, says of the drama: “I think I am more excited about this than anything else I have ever written. Ever. Oh my God. We have five of the most fabulous actresses on the planet playing the Riot Women. It's scarily exciting.”
What is Riot Women?
Riot Women is a brand new 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 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.'
Riot Women was previously announced under the working title of Hot Flush.
When is it on TV?
No exact start date has been given just yet, but bosses have confirmed it will air in 2025.
What channel is it on?
The drama will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Who is in the cast?
The cast for Riot Women was unveiled on Thursday 19th September.
The Riot Women band will be 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 will play Nancy, Holly and Yvonne’s mother, with Sue Johnston as Jess’s Aunt Mary. Peter Davison, Claire Skinner and Angel Coulby have also joined the cast.
The series will also star 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.”
How many episodes?
Riot Women will be made up of six episodes, all lasting for 60 minutes.
Where is it filmed?
Filming is currently taking place in West Yorkshire.
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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