Riot Women on BBC One: Sally Wainwright's BBC drama showcases UK's most bankable cast
The leading ladies even learnt their own musical instruments for the parts
Riot Women does exactly what it says on the cover – the BBC One show introduces a cast of famous faces playing a bunch of middle-aged woman shouting to be heard.
It’s the latest series from multi-BAFTA award-winning Happy Valley creator, Sally Wainwright. The highly-anticipated drama follows five middle-aged women who form a punk band. But, it isn’t just music that brings them together… This emotional drama also sees friendship and a deeply-rooted secret at its core.
With huge shows like Last Tango in Halifax, Gentleman Jack and Happy Valley under her belt, there have been high expectations for this new offering from Sally – and not just because of its epic cast.
The series focuses on five menopausal women who are struggling to cope with demanding jobs, difficult children and dependent parents. While forming the band starts off as a joke so they can enter a talent contest, it quickly becomes a vital outlet, giving the women a voice for the first time in decades.
With strong women at the heart of this series, you won’t be surprised to discover that some of the best leading female actresses in the industry star in this poignant and surprisingly funny drama. Let’s meet the Riot Women cast…
Joanna Scanlan stars as Beth in the Riot Women cast
West Kirby-born actress Joanna, 63, leads the cast as Beth. Beth is a lonely mum of one, who becomes the unlikely mastermind behind the band.
However, behind the smiley, warm exterior, Beth is secretly struggling and the band quickly becomes her saviour.
Soon, a series of unlikely events sees Beth befriend Kitty who becomes the singer of the band. While the pair are like chalk and cheese, they form a tight-knit friendship. But, little do they know there is a shocking secret that binds them that could threaten everything.
Joanna is best known for her role as Ma Larkin in ITV’s The Larkins, or Terri Coverley in political satire In the Thick of It. In 2023, Joanna played Pat Tooh in Boat Story, written by Jack and Harry Williams.
She’s also starred in Getting On, Slow Horses season 4, and A Very Royal Scandal. Her multiple film roles have included After Love, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and Wicked Little Letters.
Rosalie Craig as Kitty
Kitty has dragged herself through life after an abusive childhood and has the battle scars to prove it.
While the challenges she faced at an early age might have made her a survivor, Kitty is struggling to turn her life around. That is until she meets Beth. However, a long-buried secret is unearthed which threatens to throw her off the wagon and straight into jail.
Rosalie is best known for her roles in musical theatre. However, on TV she’s played Jeanne d’Albert in The Serpent Queen. She also starred as Lisa and Melissa in Moonflower Murders.
In 2022, she played Virginia Wilson in the Netflix series 1899.
Tamsin Greig plays Holly
Kent-born Tamsin, 59, plays retiring police officer Holly who has been with the Yorkshire police for 30 years.
However, after dedicating her career to the force, she is struggling to remember who she is without her uniform on.
As well as juggling teenage sons and a mother who’s living with dementia, Holly is trying to get her love life back on track. Soon a dalliance with dating apps has hilarious consequences.
Tamsin is a familiar face on our TV screens. She played Jackie in Friday Night Dinner, and Beverley in Episodes alongside Stephen Mangan and Matt LeBlanc.
You will also recognise her as Cecilia in Sexy Beast, and Helen Gwinear in The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. She made her name playing comedic characters in brilliant cult comedies, including Black Books, and Green Wing.
More recently, she played Debbie Aldridge in The Archers, and Natasha in the C4 thriller Suspect.
Lorraine Ashbourne plays Jess
Jess is a mum, grandma and landlady of the local pub all rolled into one. She is a multi-tasking woman at her very best. But being swamped with work and family means she is physically and emotionally shattered.
Despite this, Jess has a spark in her and forming a band is her idea. Soon she finds having her friends around her is the tonic she needs… All she has to do now is learn to play the drums!
Manchester-born Lorraine Ashbourne, 64, plays Jess. She is no stranger to our screens, having starred as Daphne Sparrow in crime drama, Sherwood. She also played Joan in BBC comedy Alma’s Not Normal and as Molly in ITV thriller, After the Flood.
She’s been on our screens for more then four decades and has appeared in TV series such as Bridgerton, After the Flood, I Hate Suzie, The Crown, and Unforgotten.
Amelia Bullmore plays Yvonne
Londoner Amelia Bullmore, 61, plays Holly’s sister Yvonne in the Riot Women cast. Yvonne works as a midwife at the local hospital.
Despite their differences, Holly and Yvonne get on – most of the time – and end up joining the band together. Super-organised and forthright, Yvonne wastes no time making her mark on the band – and it helps that she can play the guitar.
Soap fans will know Amelia as Steph Barnes in Coronation Street, a role she played from 1990 to 1995. She’s also famous for playing Joyce Hazledine in Suburban Shootout, Caroline Price in Ashes to Ashes, DCI Gill Murray in Scott & Bailey, and Eliza Priestley in Gentleman Jack.
You might also know her from shows like BBC crime drama, The Jetty, Apple TV Plus’s historical drama, The Buccaneers, and Vienna Blood.
Anne Reid plays Nancy in the cast of Riot Women
The legendary Geordie actress Anne Reid, 90, plays Holly and Yvonne’s mother, Nancy. Nancy lives alone and is slowly slipping into a life with dementia. Although Holly is on hand to look after her, Nancy is often confused.
There is no end to Anne’s talent and her first major acting role was as the character of Valerie Tatlock in Coronation Street in the 60s.
Since then she has enjoyed a long and varied career. She’s appeared in everything from Prisoner’s Wives to The Last Tango in Halifax.
Most recently, her role as retired headmistress Ann Moore-Martin in The Sixth Commandment won her a nomination for Best Actress at the 2024 BAFTA TV Awards.
Brookside legend Sue Johnston plays Auntie Mary
The brilliant Sue Johnston, 81 , plays Mary in the cast of Riot Women. Mary is Jess’ aunt and the matriarch of the family. She also owns the pub that her family runs.
While everyone else is running around her, Mary sits back and takes it all in, offering her hilarious one liners when needed.
Another legendary British star, Lancashire-born Sue is best known for playing Barbara in The Royle Family.
She starred as Sheila Grant in Brookside, and as Miss Denker in Downton Abbey on ITV1.
TV fans will also know her for playing Grace Foley in BBC crime drama, Waking the Dead. Most recently, she appeared in Channel 4’s comedy horror, Generation Z.
Taj Atwal plays Nisha
Taj Atwal joins the Riot Women cast as Nisha, a young police officer who works with Holly.
Nisha’s dedicated to her career, however, she is subjected to abuse at work which leaves her doubting her future in the force.
Nisha is also part of the band as a self-proclaimed “rubbish” backing singer along with her sister, Kam, played by Chandeep Uppal.
Taj starred as Tatleen Sahota in the BBC hit police series Line of Duty, which we’re hoping will be coming back for a series 7. She also played series regular, Rana, in Channel 4 comedy series Hullraisers.
The actress has also appeared in Stella, In the Club, and The Syndicate.
Tom is portrayed by Jonny Green in the Riot Women cast
Jonny plays Beth’s son, Tom, in the BBC One drama. Tom is oblivious to his mum’s struggles with life and rarely returns her calls.
Having just got married to Fearne, Tom is more interested in spending time with his wife and mates than his mum. But that all comes back to haunt him when he visits Beth for Sunday lunch and gets the shock of his life.
You will have seen Jonny as Martin Pascoe in It’s a Sin in 2021. He also played David in White Lines in 2020. Most recently he played Alan in Doctor Who.
Coronation Street’s Richard Fleeshman stars as Jojo
Jojo is a young love interest for Holly after they meet on a dating app. The pair hit it off despite their age gap, but soon an awkward moment in the bedroom cools their romance. They are later reunited with hilarious consequences and much to the delight of the other women in the band.
You will recognise Richard from Coronation Street where he played Craig Harris for four years.
He has also been in The Sandman, Deep Heat, Death in Paradise, and Call The Midwife.
Full Riot Women cast list:
Joanna Scanlan plays Beth
Rosalie Craig is Kitty
Tamsin Greig stars as Holly
Lorraine Ashbourne plays Jess
Amelia Bullmore portrays Yvonne
Anne Reid is Holly and Yvonne’s mum, Nancy
Sue Johnston stars as Jess’ Aunt Mary
Jonny Green is Tom
Peter Davison plays Graham
Claire Skinner is Tricia
Angel Coulby plays Jenny
Taj Atwal portrays Nisha
Chandeep Uppal is Kam
Ellise Chappell plays Tom’s wife, Ferne
Tony Hirst is Jess’ partner, Jerry
The rest of the Riot Women cast are:
Shannon Lavelle portrays Jess’ daughter, Chloe
Mark Bazeley plays Kitty’s ex-boyfriend Gavin
Amit Shah is Sanjay
Rick Warden portrays Nick
Ben Batt plays corrupt police officer, Rudy
Natalia Tena plays Inez
Melanie La Barrie portrays Veronica
Oliver Huntingdon is Carl
Richard Fleeshman plays Jojo
Olwen May is Beth’s neighbour, Margaret
Kevin Doyle plays Beth’s other neighbour, Michael
Nicholas Gleaves plays Holly’s ex, Tony
Thomas Flynn is Kitty’s friend, Spongebob
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at any time.
