Cast of Riot Women – Full Guide to Actors and Characters

Sally Wainwright’s new drama Riot Women brings together an ensemble of highly regarded British actors to tell the story of five middle-aged women who form a punk rock band. The series, scheduled for a 2025 release, follows these women as they navigate personal frustrations, family obligations, and long-buried emotions through the raw energy of music. With a cast led by Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Tamsin Greig, the show has quickly become one of the most anticipated British dramas of the year.

Wainwright, known for her ability to craft complex female protagonists in series such as Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack, centres this story on friendship and rebellion. The five women at the heart of the series form a band, enter a local talent contest, and in the process discover a vehicle for self-expression, anger, grief, and renewal. Early coverage indicates that the actors learned to play the instruments they use on screen, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the performances.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the confirmed cast, the characters they portray, and everything known so far about the series.

Who Are the Main Cast Members of Riot Women?

The core ensemble of Riot Women centres on five women whose lives are transformed by the band they form. Four lead actors have been widely reported across reference sites and entertainment coverage, with additional cast members filling out the supporting roles.

Key insights about the cast

• Riot Women follows five middle-aged women forming a band, a premise that aligns with Sally Wainwright’s character-driven dramas.
• The main cast comprises four highly respected British actors: Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Tamsin Greig.
• No official broadcast date or streaming platform has been listed in the top search results as of the latest sources.
• Supporting characters (Tom, Chloe, Miranda) are mentioned in search queries but no official casting has been confirmed publicly.
• The series is one of the most anticipated 2025 dramas due to Wainwright’s track record (Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley).

Key facts at a glance

Joanna Scanlan as Beth Thornton

Joanna Scanlan plays Beth Thornton, an English teacher who has spent years putting everyone else first. According to character descriptions from reference sources, Beth becomes one of the central women in the band and is described as someone ready to finally take centre stage. Scanlan leads the ensemble as one of the show’s emotional anchors.

Rosalie Craig as Kitty Eckersley

Rosalie Craig portrays Kitty Eckersley, a character introduced as being in a difficult place at the start of the series. Kitty first appears when she is being arrested by Holly. Her storyline becomes more hopeful after she reconnects with Beth and joins the band. Several synopses suggest Kitty has a significant personal connection to Beth that becomes important later in the season.

Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess Burchill

Lorraine Ashbourne plays Jess Burchill, the woman who drives the band forward after reclaiming her husband’s drum kit when he leaves her. She is one of the key fronting women of the band. Ashbourne is also highlighted in coverage for roles viewers may know her from, including Bridgerton.

Tamsin Greig as Holly Gaskell

Tamsin Greig takes on the role of Holly Gaskell, a former police officer who ends a 30-year career after arresting Kitty. She joins the band with a guitar obtained from a man she arrested. Outside the band, Holly is also dealing with caregiving responsibilities for her mother, who has dementia. Holly’s family tensions form part of the broader emotional storyline.

Who Are the Supporting Cast and Named Characters?

Beyond the five main band members, several additional actors have been listed in cast databases and encyclopedia-style references. Some of these roles are recurring, while others appear to be guest or minor parts.

Tom – character or actor details

Jonny Green is listed in cast references as playing Tom Thornton. The specific relationship between Tom and Beth Thornton has not been detailed in available synopses, though the shared surname suggests a family connection. No further character description has been published for Tom at this stage.

Chloe – character or actor details

Shannon Lavelle is reported in cast databases as playing Chloe. No character description or plot details for Chloe have appeared in the synopses reviewed. The role is likely a minor or recurring part within the series.

Miranda – character or actor details

Macy Seelochan is listed as playing Miranda in reference sources. As with Chloe, no plot or character details for Miranda have been confirmed in publicly available materials. These roles may be part of the broader community or workplace settings within the show.

Additional supporting cast reported in reference sources

• Ben Batt as Rudy
• Natalia Tena as Inez
• Nicholas Gleaves as Tony Gaskell
• Peter Davison as Graham
• Claire Skinner as Tricia
• Sue Johnston as Aunt Mary
• Anne Reid as Nancy Gaskell
• Ben Hunter as Barnaby
• Tony Hirst as Jerry
• Kevin Doyle as Michael
• Oliver Huntingdon as Carl Gaskell
• Mark Bazeley as Gavin Peachey
• Angel Coulby as Jenny Lennocks
• Richard Fleeshman as JoJo
• Jonathan Pryce as Keith Eckersley

Is There a Season 2 of Riot Women?

As of the latest available coverage, no official announcement regarding a second season of Riot Women has been made. The series is currently in its first season, scheduled for a 2025 premiere, and renewal decisions typically follow after a season airs and ratings data becomes available.

Riot Women season 1 release date and episode count

The series is scheduled for a 2025 release, though an exact premiere date has not been confirmed in any of the top search results. The number of episodes also remains unannounced. Typical BBC drama series run between six and eight episodes per season, but this has not been officially stated for Riot Women.

Riot Women season 2 renewal status

No second season has been ordered. Renewal decisions for Sally Wainwright’s previous series have varied; Happy Valley ran for three seasons, while Gentleman Jack was cancelled after two. The fate of Riot Women beyond season 1 will likely depend on viewership and critical response.

Broadcaster and streaming availability

The broadcaster or streaming platform for Riot Women has not been officially confirmed in the available reference sources. Given Sally Wainwright’s history with the BBC, many observers expect the series to air on BBC One and be made available on BBC iPlayer, but this has not been formally announced.

Who Created Riot Women?

Riot Women was created and written by Sally Wainwright, one of the most acclaimed British television writers and producers of the past two decades. Wainwright is known for her distinctive voice and her focus on strong, complex female protagonists.

Sally Wainwright: Creator and writer

Sally Wainwright created, wrote, and executive produced Riot Women. Her involvement was confirmed across multiple reference sources including Wikipedia, IMDB, and entertainment magazines. Wainwright’s series typically blend humour, emotional depth, and social commentary, and early descriptions suggest Riot Women follows that tradition.

Riot Women’s premise and genre

The series is a drama centred on five women with chaotic personal lives who form a punk rock band. The show’s opening setup sees them enter a local talent contest, and the band becomes a vehicle for friendship, self-expression, anger, grief, and renewal. While classified broadly as a drama, early coverage suggests the tone includes humour and warmth alongside more serious themes.

Sally Wainwright’s previous acclaimed series

Wainwright is best known for creating Happy Valley, a crime drama that ran for three seasons and earned widespread critical praise, and Gentleman Jack, a historical drama based on the diaries of Anne Lister. She also created Scott & Bailey, Last Tango in Halifax, and To Walk Invisible. Her work frequently explores family dynamics, female resilience, and the social fabric of Northern England. For readers interested in her broader body of work, a useful resource is the Sally Wainwright BBC profile.

When Was Riot Women Announced and What Is the Release Timeline?

The official development timeline for Riot Women has not been published in detail across the available sources. However, based on the 2025 release date mentioned in multiple articles, a general sequence can be inferred.

1. 2024 – Series announced and ordered. The exact announcement date has not been confirmed in the top search results.
2. 2025 – Filming and release of Season 1. Production details remain limited, though promotional materials including a YouTube feature with Sally Wainwright and the cast have been released.
3. Late 2025 (speculative) – Possible renewal decision. No official timeline for a second-season decision has been provided.

The Riot Women Wikipedia page and the full cast listing on IMDB are two sources that may be updated as more information becomes available.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Riot Women?

For readers trying to separate established facts from unconfirmed details, the following comparison may be helpful.

Readers are advised to check official sources such as the BBC or Sally Wainwright’s verified channels for confirmed updates on release dates and casting.

What Makes Riot Women Stand Out in Sally Wainwright’s Career?

Riot Women fits into Sally Wainwright’s recurring theme of strong, complex female protagonists, as seen in Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack. The casting of Joanna Scanlan and Tamsin Greig – both known for comedy and drama – suggests a blend of humour and emotional depth. The series also taps into the current trend of mid-life female empowerment narratives and British rock music heritage.

No major controversy or legal issues surround the series as of 2025. The production has been previewed through a YouTube feature with Wainwright and the cast, where they discussed music, friendship, and the emotional core of the series. For those interested in similar ensemble comedies and dramas, the Derry Girls Season 2 – Cast, Episodes and Where to Stream guide offers another perspective on ensemble-driven British television.

Where Can I Find Reliable Information About the Cast?

Several sources have published cast lists and character descriptions for Riot Women, each with varying levels of depth. The TV Choice Magazine cast article includes actor bios and previous roles, while the Cosmopolitan cast recognition piece focuses on where viewers may recognise the actors from. The IMDB title page provides a summary of top-billed cast members and is likely to be updated as new information becomes available.

For readers interested in a broader view of ensemble casts, the Cast of Night at the Museum – Full Actors and Characters Guide offers a comparable deep-dive format.

Who Stars in Riot Women and What Should Viewers Know?

Riot Women stars Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Tamsin Greig as the core members of a punk band formed by five middle-aged women navigating personal struggles. The series is created by Sally Wainwright and is scheduled for a 2025 release, though the exact premiere date, episode count, and broadcaster have not yet been confirmed. Supporting cast members such as Amelia Bullmore, Taj Atwal, and Chandeep Uppal fill out the ensemble, while several additional actors play recurring and minor roles. Viewers looking for updates should monitor official BBC announcements and the Wikipedia page for the series.

Frequently Asked Questions