Enjoyed Riot Women? 5 more brilliant Sally Wainwright dramas you can stream right now

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Sally Wainwright‘s latest BBC drama, Riot Women, begins tonight. The show centers around a group of women who decide to start a punk band later in life and find they have plenty to express.

Set in Hebden, Yorkshire, the series centers around five women navigating busy careers, family responsibilities, challenging relationships with parents and partners, and disappointing dates. Through their band, they each experience personal growth and positive change.

The series features a stellar cast including Lorraine Ashbourne (known from *Sherwood*), Joanna Scanlan (*The Thick of It*), Tamsin Greig (*Friday Night Dinner*), Rosalie Craig (*1899*), and Amelia Bullmore (*The Jetty*). Anne Reid (*Last Tango in Halifax*) and Sue Johnston (*The Royle Family*) also appear.

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Wainwright has expressed incredible enthusiasm for this project, calling it the most exciting thing he’s ever written. He’s particularly thrilled to be working with what he describes as five of the most talented actresses in the world, who will portray the ‘Riot Women.’

This writer has a fantastic track record, with many highly-rated shows under their belt. Here are 5 of their best – you can stream them now!

Last Tango in Halifax

Wainwright is famous for shows like *Last Tango in Halifax*, which tells the story of Celia and Alan, played by Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi. They were in love as teenagers but never got together, and reconnect later in life, finding their feelings haven’t faded.

The show also follows the lives of the daughters of the central couple (played by Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker). These women are very different from each other, and their parents’ relationship has a significant impact on their own experiences.

The show aired for five seasons, from 2012 to 2020, and consistently received positive reviews. In fact, *The Guardian* praised its portrayal of family life, stating that “nobody does it better than Sally Wainwright.”

Available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Happy Valley

Sally Wainwright’s most famous creation is likely the police drama *Happy Valley*. The series stars Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood, following both her work and personal struggles.

The first season centers on Cawood confronting Tommy Lee Royce, the man who assaulted and murdered her daughter, after his release from prison. Later seasons explore the repercussions of these events over the following years.

I was so sad to see the show end after three seasons in 2023 – it had been seven years since the last one! But honestly, it finished strong. Even Digital Spy said that the main character, Cawood, is exactly the kind of honest, good-hearted police officer you’d really want to have on your side.

Available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Renegade Nell

Wainwright brought this fantasy drama to Disney+, and it received high praise, earning an 87% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Empire described it as an exciting, adventurous story with a fairytale feel and a meaningful message.

Unlike her previous work, the new series *Renegade Nell* tells the story of Nell Jackson (Louisa Harland), a famous highwaywoman wrongly accused of murder. She then encounters a magical fairy (Nick Mohammed) who helps her understand that she’s meant for something much greater.

The show boasts a strong cast, including Adrian Lester from *The Sandman*, Joely Richardson known for *Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale*, and Iz Hesketh from *Hollyoaks*.

Available to stream on Disney+ and ITVX.

Scott & Bailey

Debuting in 2011, the police drama *Scott & Bailey* became a popular success for its writer, and featured talented actresses including Amelia Bullmore (known for *Riot Women*), Suranne Jones (*Hostage*), and Lesley Sharp (*The Full Monty*).

This series follows the detectives of the Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, showcasing both their professional and personal lives. The cast includes Nicholas Gleaves, known from *Riot Women*, Danny Miller from *Emmerdale*, and Pippa Haywood, who starred in *Bodyguard*.

As a big fan, it was sad when *Scott & Bailey* finished in 2016, but I totally understood Lesley Jones’s point. She said it was better to end the show while people still loved the characters, before things started to feel stale. It felt like a smart decision, leaving us wanting more rather than overstaying its welcome.

Available to stream on ITVX.

Gentleman Jack

This BBC drama, which ran for two seasons, reunites Jones and Wainwright to tell the true story of Anne Lister, a 19th-century landowner. The series is based on Lister’s diaries and focuses on her relationship with Ann Walker, played by Sophie Rundle.

The show received widespread critical acclaim during its original broadcast, maintaining a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Pajiba described it as a remarkably complex and insightful exploration of its characters.

I was stoked to see the cast list for this new show! It’s got Joe Armstrong from *Happy Valley*, Rosie Cavaliero who I loved in *Friday Night Dinner*, Gemma Whelan who was awesome in *Game of Thrones*, and even Gemma Jones from *The Crown*! Seriously, a great lineup of actors.

Available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-10-13 00:20