Mike Smith
Here’s everything you need to know about Riot Women (2025), the new BBC series created by Sally Wainwright and starring Joanna Scanlan.
How to watch Riot Women in the US on BBC iPlayer
To watch Riot Women in the US on BBC iPlayer, follow these steps:
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a UK-based server.
- Open the BBC iPlayer website, then login or sign up for a new account. A UK postal code is required for registration. You can use a UK postcode generator if needed.
- You are all set to watch BBC’s Riot Women series!
Riot Women (2025 TV Series) Synopsis
Set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, Riot Women follows five women — a teacher, a police officer, a pub landlady, a midwife, and a shoplifting freeloader — whose chaotic lives collide when they impulsively form a punk-rock band to enter a local talent contest.
As they rehearse in basements and pubs, these women rediscover their long-lost voices, passions, and frustrations. Writing their first song opens a floodgate of emotion and rebellion, as they find the courage to speak out about the societal and personal struggles they’ve buried for years.
Their journey is funny, defiant, and heartbreaking — exploring friendship, menopause, and midlife reinvention — with the music becoming a symbol of self-expression and liberation. In true Sally Wainwright style, Riot Women blends humour, raw emotion, and Yorkshire grit into one unforgettable story.
Where to watch Riot Women in the US?
In the US, BritBox holds the exclusive streaming rights to Riot Women, with the series premiering on the platform in early 2026. All six episodes will be available to stream exclusively on BritBox.
Riot Women Season 1 Episodes
Here are the episodes:
Episode 1 – Premiere date: October 12, 2025
Frazzled by demanding jobs, chaotic families and endless spinning plates, five women’s worlds collide when they form a punk-rock band to enter a local talent contest.
Episode 2 – Premiere date: October 12, 2025
Chaotic Kitty Eckersley bursts into rehearsals. The women begin to gel, only for Kitty to realise a heartbreaking connection she has to Beth.
Episode 3 – Premiere date: October 12, 2025
Struggling to process her shocking discovery, Kitty acts out, leading to an explosive family lunch at Beth’s house.
Episode 4 – Premiere date: October 12, 2025
Six weeks on, it’s talent-contest night. As the Riot Women prepare to perform, tensions rise and Kitty throws a nose-busting punch.
Episode 5 – Premiere date: October 12, 2025
Kitty spends a night in custody, Beth and Tom share a devastating talk, and the band threatens to break apart.
Episode 6 – Premiere date: October 12, 2025
Season finale. The Riot Women record their first track in a professional studio — but Holly faces an eye-popping revelation that changes everything.
Riot Women Cast
- Joanna Scanlan as Beth, a teacher rediscovering her voice through music.
- Rosalie Craig as Kitty, a chaotic freeloader whose wild energy hides deep pain.
- Tamsin Greig as Holly, a perfectionist police officer trying to control everything except her own emotions.
- Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess, the strong-willed pub landlady holding everyone together.
- Amelia Bullmore as Yvonne, a midwife questioning her life choices amid the chaos.
Supporting cast includes Anne Reid, Sue Johnston, Peter Davison, Claire Skinner, Angel Coulby, Jonny Green, Ellise Chappell, Taj Atwal, Amit Shah, Ben Batt, Natalia Tena, and Kevin Doyle.
The series also features riotous backing singers Nisha (Taj Atwal), Kam (Chandeep Uppal), and Miranda (Macy Seelochan), bringing comic energy to the band.
Music is provided by the real-life Brighton duo ARXX, who composed original punk tracks exclusively for the show.
Is Riot Women Suitable for All Ages?
Riot Women is rated 12+ for language, adult themes, and occasional mature content. While the series celebrates empowerment and friendship, some scenes explore issues like menopause, relationships, and grief, making it most suitable for teen and adult audiences.
FAQs
1. Who created Riot Women?
Riot Women is created, written, and directed by Sally Wainwright, known for Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, and Last Tango in Halifax. She also serves as executive producer alongside Roanna Benn (Drama Republic) and Tanya Qureshi (BBC).
2. Where was Riot Women filmed?
Filming took place in Hebden Bridge, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, the same region where Sally Wainwright filmed Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack.
3. Will there be a Season 2 of Riot Women?
The BBC has not yet confirmed a renewal.
4. What is the meaning behind the title “Riot Women”?
The title reflects both the punk rebellion at the heart of the story and the emotional uprising of women rediscovering their power, identity, and solidarity in midlife.
Riot Women Trailer
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