If you watch one thing this week, make it Riot Women – it’ll even fill that Happy Valley hole

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It’s hard to start a new drama by Sally Wainwright without comparing it to her hugely successful series, Happy Valley. Wainwright herself admits to Digital Spy that the show’s popularity is something she considers when beginning new projects.

The show’s creator said she often wonders if she’ll ever create something as good as *Happy Valley*, especially as she returns to the BBC with her new drama, *Riot Women*. However, she believes *Riot Women* shares many of the same strengths and qualities as her previous hit series.

We agree. While *Riot Women* features crime and police, it’s not a typical crime drama – it’s a different kind of show. Unlike *Happy Valley*, which centered on Catherine Cawood, this series focuses on a diverse group of women, each with their own unique story. However, *Riot Women* still captures much of what made *Happy Valley* so popular.

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The new show shares a similar feel with *Happy Valley* – it’s a very dark story, but also aims to be entertaining and funny, which is what I always strived for with *Happy Valley*. I’m hoping it will be just as good, but we’ll see how audiences respond to it.

If you’re missing *Happy Valley* and looking for a new show to watch, let us introduce you to *Riot Women*. This drama follows five women who challenge expectations and form a punk rock band – and it might just be the perfect fit, in ways you wouldn’t anticipate. Here’s what makes it so good.

There’s a darkness to the story

The first scene of the episode is very bleak, showing Beth (played by Joanna Scanlan) considering suicide. It’s difficult to watch, but writer Sally Wainwright isn’t using this for shock value or as a manipulative tactic. We’ll explore why a bit later.

The opening scene of *Riot Women* immediately establishes that this series won’t avoid tough or uncomfortable topics. Notably, it consistently focuses on the experiences and viewpoints of its female characters – a perspective still not commonly seen on mainstream television. The story is told through their eyes, and their experiences are always at the heart of every scene.

Strong female characters are still the beating heart

James Norton certainly played a compelling villain as Tommy Lee Royce, but at its heart, *Happy Valley* was always about Sarah Lancashire’s character, Sergeant Catherine Cawood, and the complicated bond she shared with her sister, Clare (Siobhan Finneran).

The themes in ‘Riot Women’ are relatable, dealing with the experiences many people face as they approach their late 50s, according to Wainwright. While the show does address menopause – a topic often underrepresented with honesty in media – it explores much broader issues as well.

Many women around this age express feeling overlooked and taken for granted, as they juggle numerous responsibilities. It often feels like they’re on their own and no one is there to support them anymore, Wainwright explained.

Wainwright explained she wanted to explore these topics in a way that was both engaging and fun, and she hopes her book, *Riot Women*, avoids being depressing or dull.

And we’d say she has absolutely succeeded, which leads us nicely onto…

Riot Women will give you emotional whiplash

Riot Women doesn’t aim to preach or offer a serious message. Right after a grim opening, the film takes a surprisingly upbeat turn when a character receives a phone call and is asked a simple question: “Do you want to be in a rock band?” This question completely changes the movie’s direction.

Wainwright shared that he enjoys blending serious moments with the humor found in everyday life. He believes most people are naturally funny and often choose to express that humor, and he loves creating characters who can make audiences laugh.

I’m always focused on keeping the audience engaged and captivated,” she explained. “It’s not about grabbing their attention right at the beginning, but rather a continuous effort throughout. Comedy is a really effective way to do that.”

Riot Women is available now on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-10-13 18:21