Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne and Amelia Bullmore are in the band.
The BBC and BritBox International have announced the cast of Riot Women. The show is the latest drama series from writer Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Renegade Nell).
Made by Drama Republic (One Day), it’s currently filming in West Yorkshire.
Here’s what to expect:
In Riot Women, we dive headfirst into the world of five women who, along with two riotous backing singers, come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest, but in writing their first original song, soon discover that they have a lot to say – and this is their way to say it.
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.
The quintet at the heart of the show are Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne and Amelia Bullmore. The show will feature original songs from the band ARXX.
Cult TV favourites in Riot Women
In the show’s wider cast, we can look out for Peter Davison (Doctor Who) and Angel Coulby (Merlin). Plus, Taj Atwal, Sue Johnston, Anne Reid, Claire Skinner and Natalie Tena.
Riot Women comes from creator, writer and executive producer Sally Wainwright, who is also the series’ lead director. Amanda Brotchie (Gentleman Jack) directs block two, and Jessica Taylor (Happy Valley) produces.
It will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK next year. BritBox International will air the series in the US and Canada.
We’ll keep you posted.