Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig to Lead Sally Wainwright’s New Punk-Rock Drama ‘Riot Women’
Joanna Scanlan and Tamsin Greig have been confirmed to star in Sally Wainwright’s new BBC drama “Riot Women.”
“Riot Women” is the new drama from “Happy Valley” creator Wainwright, about a group of middle-aged women who decide to enter a talent contest by forming a punk-rock band. After writing their first song, however, they realize they have plenty to say and now, the means to say it.
More from Variety
Scanlan, who is currently appearing in “Slow Horses” and “A Very Royal Scandal,” will play Beth while Greig, who’s known for “Black Books” and “Sexy Beast,” plays Holly. Joining them will be Rosalie Craig (“Moonflower Murders”) as Kitty, Lorraine Ashbourne (“Sherwood”) as Jess and Amelia Bullmore (“The Buccaneers”) as Yvonne.
The six-part series, produced by Drama Republic for the BBC and BritBox, was originally announced under the working title “Hot Flush.” It will feature original songs from the band ARXX. The show is currently filming on location in West Yorkshire.
“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,” reads the synopsis. “As the story 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.”
Rounding oout the cast are Anne Reid (“The Sixth Commandment”), Sue Johnston (“The Royle Family”), Peter Davison (“Doctor Who”), Claire Skinner (“Outnumbered”), Angel Coulby (“Merlin”), Taj Atwal (“Line of Duty”), Chandeep Uppal (“Holby City”), Jonny Green (“White Lines”), Ellise Chappell (“Yesterday”), Macy Jacob Seelochan (“Shadow and Bone”), Tony Hirst (“Hollyoaks”), Shannon Lavelle (“Hamlin”), Amit Shah (“Happy Valley”), Rick Warden (“Red Eye”), Ben Batt (“Domina”), Natalia Tena (“Harry Potter”), Melanie La Barrie (“& Juliet”), Oliver Huntingdon (“Sherwood”), Richard Fleeshman (“The Sandman”), Olwen May (“A Very British Scandal”), Kevin Doyle (“Downton Abbey”) and Nicholas Gleaves (“Bodyguard”).
“I think I am more excited about this than anything else I have ever written. Ever. Oh my God,” said Wainwright. “We have five of the most fabulous actresses on the planet playing the Riot Women. It’s scarily exciting.”
Wainwright creates, writes and exec produces the show as well as directing. Amanda Brotchie (“Gentleman Jack”) will direct block two. Jessica Taylor produces. Roanna Benn exec produces for Drama Republic, with Tanya Qureshi for the BBC, Robert Schildhouse and Jess O’Riordan for BritBox International.
The series is due to drop in the U.K. on BBC iPlayer and BBC One while in the U.S. and Canada it will be available on BritBox International. Mediawan Rights are repping international rights with Entourage Ventures.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
