Celebrating Menopause Through Music: Sally Wainwright’s Riot Women
Renowned British TV showrunner Sally Wainwright recently graced the Series Mania TV festival in Lille with an enticing preview of her new dramedy, Riot Women. According to Wainwright, menopause embodies the essence of punk rock, which serves as a poignant backdrop for the series centered around a group of middle-aged women forming an impromptu punk band.
A Personal Journey Transformed into Art
During her masterclass, Wainwright revealed that the concept for Riot Women began to take shape approximately a decade ago. “I began sharing the notion of 50-something women starting a punk band with colleagues,”she remarked alongside her producing partner, Roanna Benn, from Drama Republic. “This story is deeply personal, reflecting my own experiences with menopause. However, my vision was to present it in an engaging and dynamic manner.”
A Unique Blend of Humor and Tension
Wainwright emphasized the show’s dual nature, explaining, “It’s genuinely humorous and utterly captivating from start to finish.”Benn echoed her sentiments, highlighting the series’ ability to blend wit with emotionally charged narratives.
A Talented Ensemble Cast
Riot Women features an impressive cast, including Joanna Scanlan (known for After Love and The Thick of It), Rosalie Craig (Serpent Queen), Tamsin Greig (Sexy Beast), Lorraine Ashbourne (Alma’s Not Normal), and Amelia Bullmore (The Buccaneers, Vienna Blood). This ensemble represents the nine members of the punk band formed by these spirited menopausal women.
Empowerment Through Music
In an innovative twist, the actors not only portray their characters but also learned to play their own instruments and co-wrote the lyrics for their songs, including tracks like “Seeing Red,”which discusses the realities of menopause, and “Shitting Pineapples,”a humorous take on childbirth. Wainwright noted, “These songs encapsulate the raw energy and experiences of our characters.”
Challenges in the Industry
Securing broadcaster interest for a series about women over 50, particularly one lacking a crime narrative, posed significant challenges. Benn expressed her frustrations, saying, “There are no dead bodies in this show. It’s disheartening that, in today’s landscape, this premise isn’t what network executives are actively seeking.”
Wainwright added, “It’s unfortunate that there is a lack of shows highlighting women in their 50s, as they have vibrant stories to share and are truly engaging.”
Production Details and Future Prospects
The six-part series was filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire—an area previously featured in Wainwright’s acclaimed work, Happy Valley. Riot Women is produced by Drama Republic for both the BBC and BritBox, with Mediawan Rights handling its worldwide distribution.
With Wainwright’s unique storytelling and the ambitious portrayal of aging and womanhood, Riot Women promises to resonate with audiences, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future narratives focused on midlife experiences.