Acclaimed British screenwriter Sally Wainwright has firmly closed the door on a return to her seminal crime drama Happy Valley, while revealing her newest BBC hit, Riot Women, inhabits a strikingly similar world.
From Calder Valley to Chords: The Birth of Riot Women
Speaking in December 2025, the Bafta-winning creator behind series like Last Tango in Halifax and Gentleman Jack reflected on the instant success of her latest project. Riot Women follows five middle-aged women who form a punk rock band to channel their menopausal rage, starring Rosalie Craig, Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig, Amelia Bullmore, and laooraine Ashbourne.
Wainwright, 62, stated the series found an immediate home at the BBC because audiences instantly connected with its premise. She believes the show plugs a gap by focusing on a demographic often overlooked. "The older people get, the more interesting they become," she simply noted.
The show, already renewed for a second season, tackles heavy themes head-on, from sexual assault and suicidal ideation to workplace violence. Wainwright explained her core writing objective is balancing high drama with authenticity to avoid audience disbelief, a challenge underscored when real-life news stories mirrored the show's darker plots.
Happy Valley's Definitive End and a Shared Universe
When asked about reviving the beloved Happy Valley, which starred Sarah Lancashire, Wainwright was unequivocal. "Sarah and I were really clear that we wanted to sign off after three series because we wanted to end on a high. We didn't want it to drift off into a poorer version of itself," she said.
However, she revealed a spiritual connection to that world. "In a way, for me, Riot Women feels still very much in that world, in Hebden Bridge. It's got similar values, and I think it's got a similar feeling," Wainwright shared, pointing to a "thriller-ish element" within the new series, particularly in Kitty's ongoing storyline.
Industry Shifts and a Fight for Authentic Stories
The writer also addressed the abrupt cancellation of her HBO series Gentleman Jack, attributing it to corporate takeover and shifting priorities at Warner Bros. Despite a passionate fanbase, she confirmed "too much time has now passed" for a revival.
Wainwright, who began her career on soaps like Coronation Street, has witnessed seismic changes in television. While celebrating progress in female representation, she voiced concern about backsliding and a market flooded with what she dismisses as the TV equivalent of "airport thriller novels."
She stressed the need for writers to keep pitching "authentic and more complex and subtle and nuanced" stories, especially those centred on powerful women. With three new projects in development, two focusing on complex female leads, Sally Wainwright's mission to redefine women's narratives on screen is far from over.
Riot Women is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
