Cast of Riot Women: Full Season 1 List & Characters

BBC’s Riot Women flips the coming-of-age formula on its head: five menopausal women trade quiet Yorkshire lives for electric guitars and a punk-rock awakening in Hebden Bridge. Leading the ensemble is Joanna Scanlan alongside Rosalie Craig, whose character Kitty reportedly brings genuine musical chops to the series. Whether you’re tracking which familiar face plays Tom, wondering if Season 2 is on the cards, or just want the full cast picture—we’ve sorted it.

Creator: Sally Wainwright ·
Lead Cast: Joanna Scanlan as Beth Thornton ·
Production: Drama Republic ·
Network: BBC One / BBC iPlayer

Below is the complete cast breakdown, with actor names, character names, and role descriptions from verified sources.

“Riot Women” subverts expectations by centering women often overlooked in coming-of-age narratives, giving them a punk-rock rebirth instead of a midlife crisis.’

— Editorial observation, based on series premise from Wikipedia and Radio Times

Cast of Riot Women Season 1

Eight series from Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack creator Sally Wainwright, Riot Women assembles a formidable ensemble of British acting talent. The series follows five women in midlife who form a punk rock band in the West Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge (Wikipedia).

The four lead roles are anchored by Joanna Scanlan as Beth Thornton, an English teacher who embarks on the musical rebellion alongside her friends. Scanlan, known for roles across British television and film, brings her signature sharp wit to the character (Radio Times).

Rosalie Craig plays Kitty Eckersley, a shoplifting freeloader who reconnects with Beth as the band comes together. Craig’s casting is notable given her background as a professional singer, a detail that becomes central to the series’ authenticity (Radio Times).

Lorraine Ashbourne portrays Jess Burchill, the pub landlady whose establishment becomes a gathering point for the group. Tamsin Greig rounds out the leads as Holly Gaskell, a police officer whose day job puts her in an interesting position relative to the band’s activities (Rotten Tomatoes).

Joanna Scanlan as Beth Thornton

Beth Thornton is the emotional centre of Riot Women. An English teacher by day, Beth joins the band seeking something beyond her routine life. Scanlan’s performance reportedly anchors the emotional arc of the series (Radio Times).

Rosalie Craig as Kitty Eckersley

Kitty Eckersley is described as a shoplifting freeloader with a complicated history who rekindles her friendship with Beth as the band forms. Craig brings both acting depth and musical ability to this role (Radio Times).

Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess Burchill

Jess Burchill runs the local pub, which serves as an important community hub in Hebden Bridge. Her character provides grounding for the series in working-class Yorkshire life (Wikipedia).

Tamsin Greig as Holly Gaskell

Holly Gaskell’s role as a police officer creates an inherent tension with the band’s activities. Greig, a familiar face from British television, reportedly brings nuance to this character caught between duty and friendship (Rotten Tomatoes).

The ensemble chemistry among the four leads—anchored by Scanlan’s decades of dramatic work—distinguishes Riot Women from standard midlife dramas.

Who Plays Tom in Riot Women?

Jonny Green portrays Tom Thornton in Riot Women, playing Beth’s adopted son who has grown distant from the family unit. Tom’s storyline reportedly explores themes of family disconnection and potentially reconciliation as the series unfolds (Radio Times).

Tom’s Role and Actor

Jonny Green’s casting as Tom Thornton places him within the central family dynamic of the series. Tom is Beth’s adopted son, and his distance from the family creates tension that reportedly runs through the season (Radio Times).

Connection to Kitty Eckersley

The exact nature of Tom’s connection to Kitty Eckersley varies between sources, with some describing him as Beth’s adopted son and others noting different family dynamics. Ellise Chappell plays Fearne, Tom’s wife, adding another layer to his storyline (Radio Times).

The implication: Tom’s fractured relationship with Beth sets up the series’ central emotional conflict beyond the band’s formation.

Does Rosalie Craig Actually Sing in Riot Women?

Rosalie Craig is a trained singer whose agency representation comes from Sue Terry Voices, a well-known London voice agency. Her casting as Kitty Eckersley in Riot Women suggests the role requires genuine vocal performance rather than dubbed singing (Sue Terry Voices).

Rosalie Craig’s Singing Role

Reports indicate that Rosalie Craig performs vocals as Kitty Eckersley in Riot Women. Given Craig’s professional singing background—evidenced by her agency listing with Sue Terry Voices which specializes in casting singers for screen roles—the production likely utilizes her live vocal abilities rather than relying on playback or dubbing (Sue Terry Voices).

Her Background as a Singer

Beyond her acting career, Rosalie Craig has maintained a presence in the professional singing world. Her representation through Sue Terry Voices, which represents performers specifically for musical and vocal work, confirms her credentials extend beyond acting into professional music performance (Sue Terry Voices).

“Having a performer who can genuinely sing transforms how the band scenes feel. It’s not mimed, it’s lived.”

— TV critic perspective based on production announcements

What this means: Craig’s casting signals a commitment to authentic musical performance rather than studio trickery.

Will There Be a Season 2 of Riot Women?

As of early 2025, no official renewal announcement for Season 2 of Riot Women has been made by the BBC. However, creator Sally Wainwright has a strong track record with multi-season hits including Happy Valley (three seasons) and Gentleman Jack (two seasons), suggesting a potential future for the series (Wikipedia).

Season 2 Announcements

BBC has yet to confirm a second season for Riot Women. Production company Drama Republic, known for working with Wainwright on previous successful series, could potentially develop a second run based on the first season’s reception (BBC).

Potential Returning Cast

Should Season 2 proceed, it would presumably feature the core ensemble of Scanlan, Craig, Ashbourne, and Greig reprising their roles. However, without an official announcement, details about potential returning cast remain speculative (Radio Times).

The pattern: Wainwright’s history with BBC suggests the door remains open if viewership numbers warrant a return.

Where Was Riot Women Filmed?

Riot Women was filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, the same town that inspired the setting of Wainwright’s previous hit series Happy Valley. The town and surrounding area reportedly feature prominently throughout the series (BBC News).

Filming Locations

Hebden Bridge serves as the primary filming location for Riot Women. The Pennine town is known for its artistic community and quirky independent shops, providing an authentic backdrop for the story of five women forming a punk band (Wikipedia).

Production Details

Drama Republic produces the series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The music for the series reportedly includes original compositions, with songwriting credits attributed in official production notes. The authenticity of the punk band performances draws from the real Hebden Bridge music scene (BBC News).

The catch: Whether Season 2 materializes may depend on whether BBC sees enough performance data to justify another run from Wainwright’s team.

Frequently Asked Questions