RIOT WOMEN CAST: WHERE DO YOU RECOGNISE THE ACTORS FROM?
Riot Women is the new drama filled with music, humour and the resilience of women, that we just can't get enough of. Available to catchup on BBC iPlayer, the six-part series tells the story of five women who come together to form a punk-rock band and perform at their local talent show.
The five women fronting the band are played by a powerhouse of cast members that includes Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig and Lorraine Ashbourne.
Curious to know more about the cast? Here's all the details you need to know about the characters and actors who play them.
The main cast of Riot Women:
- Joanna Scanlan as Beth Thornton
- Rosalie Craig as Kitty Eckersley
- Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess Burchill
- Tamsin Greig as Holly Gaskell
- Amelia Bullmore as Yvonne Vaux
- Taj Atwal as Nisha Lal
- Chandeep Uppal as Kam Lal
The Riot Women cast
Joanna Scanlan as Beth Thornton
Who is Beth Thornton?: Beth is an English teacher, who has quite frankly had enough of putting everyone else before herself and so jumps at the chance to take centre stage and star in the rock band.
How many episodes is Beth in?: 6/6
What else has Joanna Scanlan been in?: Joanna has been on our screens since 1997, when she starred in an adaptation of Jane Eyre. She's since gone onto star in projects such as Vanity Fair, Notes on A Scandal, Stardust, The Thick of It, No Offence and most recently Slow Horses and A Very Royal Scandal.
Rosalie Craig as Kitty Eckersley
Who is Kitty Eckersley?: Kitty is a woman who is not in a good place when the series starts and we first meet her when she's getting arrested by Holly. However, after reconnecting with Beth and starring in the band, things might just be starting to turn around for Kitty.
How many episodes is Kitty in?: 6/6
What else has Rosalie Craig been in?: You'll most likely have seen Rosalie Craig on stage, as she is predominantly a theatre actress. On screen she's recently starred in Anatomy of a Scandal, 1899, and The Hack on ITV where she played Rebekah Brooks.
Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess Burchill
Who is Jess Burchill?: Jess is the one who spearheads the band after she reclaimed her husband's drum kit after he left her.
How many episodes is Jess in?: 6/6
What else has Lorraine Ashbourne been in?: You'll most likely recently recognise Lorraine from her role as the Featherington's housekeeper Mrs Varley in Bridgerton. She's also known for her roles in Sherwood, The Crown, Unforgotten, and Playing The Field.
Tamsin Greig as Holly Gaskell
Who is Holly Gaskell?: When we meet Holly, she's put a dramatic end to her 30 year career in the police force, after arresting Kitty. She joins the band with a guitar she got from a man she arrested. Outside of the band she's also looking after her mum, who has dementia.
How many episodes is Holly in?: 6/6
What else has Tamsin Greig been in?: Tamsin has been a permanent fixture on our screens since the mid 90s. She's known for her roles in Green Wing, Episodes, Friday Night Dinner, Black Books and has starred in The Archers, Belgravia, Emma and Blind Men.
Amelia Bullmore as Yvonne Vaux
Who is Yvonne Vaux?: Yvonne is Holly's older sister, who works as a midwife, but clashes with her sister over the care of their mother.
How many episodes is Yvonne in?: 6/6
What else has Amelia Bullmore been in?: Most recently you'll recognise Amelia from her role on The Buccaneers as The Dowager Duchess of Tintagel. She's also known for starring in The Larkins, The Jetty, Gentleman Jack, Scott & Bailey, and Ashes to Ashes.
Taj Atwal as Nisha Lal
Who is Nisha Lal?: Nisha was Holly's partner in the police force before Holly leaves and joins the band alongside her sister in the band as a backing singer.
How many episodes is Nisha in?: 6/6
What else has Taj Atwal been in?: Taj most recently appeared on our screens alongside Aimee Lou Wood in Daddy Issues. You'll also know her from her roles in Line of Duty, Hullraisers, and Cold Call.
Chandeep Uppal as Kam Lal
Who is Kam Lal?: Kam is Nisha's sister who also joins the band as a backing vocalist.
How many episodes is Kam in?: 5/6
What else has Chandeep Uppal been in?: Over the years Chandeep has had roles in Holby City, Doctors and Echo Beach.
Who else stars in Riot Women?
- Johnny Green as Tom
- Macy Seelochan as Miranda
- Sue Johnston as Auntie Mary
- Ben Batt as Rudy
- Chandeep Uppal as Kam
- Ellise Chappell as Fearne
- Shannon Lavelle as Chloe
- Mark Bazely as Gavin
- Brodie Nkome as Rocco
- Klae Speight as Junior
- Natalia Tena as Inez
- Anne Reid as Nancy
- Tony Hirst as Jerry
- Ledi Losada as Manuela
- Oliver Huntingdon as Carl
- Emily Stott as Grace
- Kevin Doyle as Michael
- Olwen May as Margaret
Who wrote Riot Women?
Sally Wainwright wrote Riot Women and also helped direct the show alongside Amanda Brotchie. When news of the show's release initially dropped, Sally told the BBC, "I'm having a whole new buzz of excitement about the show as we bring it together in the edit, and I can't wait to share it with everyone!"
Who composed the music for Riot Women?
As a show about a punk rock band, music is pivotal to the plot and storytelling of each episode. Original songs from the band ARXX (formed of Hanni Pidduck and Clara Townsend from Brighton) are featured throughout the series and explore themes of friendship, feminism, and age.
Riot Women is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer now
2025-10-13T11:01:41Z