'Riot Women' Is Full of Angry Women, Shitbag Men and Casual Gayness

'Riot Women' Brings Together Anger, Music, and Queer Themes

Sally Wainwright's latest series centers on a group of menopausal women who form a rock band, exploring familiar themes from her body of work. In an era of on-demand content, a new Wainwright show still feels like a must-watch event.

Wainwright’s Signature Style and Themes

Known for her acclaimed shows like Gentleman Jack, which follows the fast-walking lesbian diarist Anne Lister, Wainwright has become one of Britain's top showrunners. Her other hits, including the warm yet gritty Last Tango in Halifax and the intense crime drama Happy Valley, showcase her talent as writer, director, and producer.

She consistently focuses on women’s experiences, mixing sharp Yorkshire wit with a storytelling range that spans from light family moments to dark human struggles. Large female casts often mean queer women naturally appear in her work.

The New Show: Riot Women

Riot Women follows menopausal women in Hebden Bridge—known unofficially as Britain's lesbian capital—as they start a rock band. This premise promised a new, vibrant queer perspective infused with Wainwright’s hallmark blend of humor and grit.

"I’m not sure Appointment TV still exists in the choose-your-own adventure world of modern entertainment but, for me, a new Sally Wainwright show is as close as it gets."
"Readers of this website will likely be most familiar with Wainwright’s work from Gentleman Jack, her much-beloved hagiography of fast-walking lesbian diarist Anne Lister."

Summary

Sally Wainwright’s Riot Women promises a sharp and heartfelt exploration of menopausal women, music, and queer identity, blending wit and raw emotion through a uniquely British lens.

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Autostraddle Autostraddle — 2025-11-05

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