THE BBC has now unveiled the impressive cast for their latest drama, Riot Women.
The show was created by BAFTA winning writer Sally Wainwright – who is known for her acclaimed works such as Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack.
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Currently filming in West Yorkshire, Riot Women follows the story of five women who form a punk rock band alongside two backing singers in order to compete in a local talent contest.
In the process of crafting their first song, the girl band discover that they have a lot to say, and find it easier to express their frustrations and desires through music.
The six part series will explore themes of friendship, resilience, and the struggle from women to defy social expectations.
As the leads juggle demanding jobs and complicated family dynamics, the band becomes an escape for them and eventually begins to transform their lives.
However, a secret from the past begins to resurface, threatening to tear the group’s main creatives Kitty and Beth apart.
Leading the talented ensemble cast are Joanna Scanlan (After Love, The Thick of It) as Beth and Rosalie Craig (Moonflower Murders, Serpent Queen) as Kitty.
They are joined by 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.
Sue Johnston, who is beloved for her role in The Royle Family, features as Jess’s Aunt Mary.
Meanwhile, Anne Reid from The Sixth Commandment plays Nancy, the mother of Holly and Yvonne.
The cast is rounded out with notable names including Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Angel Coulby (Merlin), Taj Atwal (Line of Duty), Chandeep Uppal (Holby City), and Richard Fleeshman (The Sandman), among others.
Sally Wainwright expressed her enthusiasm for the project, gushing: “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.”
Her excitement was shared by the BBC Drama’s Director, Lindsay Salt, who praised Wainwright’s “magnificent scripts”, and Robert Schildhouse, President North America and GM BritBox International, who described the series as “unabashed, unapologetic, and unmistakably British”.
