As fans of Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack will know, Sally Wainwright is one of the finest writers in the UK. With her signature eye for a detailed, winding tale that manages to be both emotionally affecting and hilarious, Wainwright is no stranger to critical acclaim, with her latest series, which will make its U.S. BritBox debut on January 14, 2026, already receiving praise from critics and audiences alike following its UK arrival. As the series edges closer to its U.S. arrival, we have teamed up with BritBox to bring you a slice of the head-banging musical action as part of Collider’s Exclusive Preview event.
Our exclusive sneak peek below teases a hint of the brilliant blend of politically-edged humor and drama at the heart of Riot Women, as well as sharing a pivotal moment in the creation of the band as Joanna Scanlan‘s (Getting On) Beth Thornton learns of the idea. Starring Scanlan, Rosalie Craig (The Pod Generation), Tamsin Greig (Belgravia), Lorraine Ashbourne (After the Flood), and Amelia Bullmore (Twenty Twelve), and also featuring a stellar ensemble including the likes of Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax), Sue Johnston (Downton Abbey), Peter Davison (All Creatures Great and Small), Claire Skinner (The Trial), and more, Riot Women tells the energetic tale of a group of middle-aged, menopausal women as they break boundaries and stereotypes to form a punk rock band. A synopsis for the series reads:
“Set in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Riot Women centers around five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band to enter a local talent contest. But when it comes to writing their first song, the women soon discover they have a lot more to say than they first thought. As they juggle life’s struggles, demanding jobs, grown-up children, ageing parents, ex-husbands and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in all of their lives, and the ripple effect is seemingly never-ending. With each episode, a long-buried secret begins to surface, entangling the women in an unlikely and complex web that threatens to tear everything, including the band, a party.”
Will ‘Riot Women’ Return For a Second Season?
Before the series has even begun its run on BritBox, word is coming out that the BBC wants to greenlight it for a second installment, such has been the universally positive response from both audiences and critics. According to reports, it is only a matter of time before the official announcement is made, although the BBC has yet to officially comment. In a previous interview, star Craig said, “Oh, it definitely doesn’t feel final. And I know that there’s a great will to have another season. I’m certainly not done with Kitty, so I’d like to have another go at that.”
Riot Women is streaming on BritBox on January 14, 2026. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for all the updates from Collider’s Exclusive Preview featuring the hottest movies and TV shows arriving this winter.
