They say menopause makes you invisible. I decided to make some noise instead.
For many women, menopause doesn’t just bring physical changes — it creates a peculiar blend of exhaustion and invisibility. You’re still showing up for everyone else, carrying endless responsibilities, but somehow the world stops noticing you. Sally Wainwright, the creator of Happy Valley, felt this keenly during her own experience and refused to accept the tired, outdated stereotypes surrounding women in midlife. Instead, she channelled that frustration into a bold new BBC drama that flips the script entirely.
In Riot Women, Wainwright brings together five women in the thick of midlife challenges — caring for ageing parents, managing work stress, handling family drama — and gives them an unexpected outlet: forming a rock band. They use music to rage against life’s injustices, competing in a local talent contest while juggling everything from difficult spouses to careers on the brink. It’s funny, rebellious, and deeply relatable.
Joanna Scanlan stars as Beth, a woman who perfectly embodies the struggle of holding everything together while feeling invisible. In the trailer, she speaks straight to the heart of "Second Act" women everywhere: "Don’t you ever feel like you’re living in an alternate universe where, once you hit a certain age, you vanish from sight? Just when you think you’ve got life figured out, you’re hit with a midlife crisis husband, demanding parents, and a child who still winds you up." Talking to younger musicians, Beth explains the band’s purpose: "We’re Riot Women — we sing about middle age, menopause, and being overlooked. And you thought The Clash were angry!"
Wainwright stresses that while menopause is central to the show, Riot Women is really about the broader reality of life at this stage. You’re pulled every which way — elderly parents leaning hard on you, marriages shifting or ending, adult children still needing support, and intense work demands — all while grappling with the emotional changes of menopause. Her goal wasn’t to dwell on the hardships, but to write something uplifting about reclaiming your life and identity.
And playing in a band gave the actresses a fresh thrill. Scanlan and her co-stars — Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, Amelia Bullmore, and Rosalie Craig — all learned their instruments from scratch for authenticity. "The high you get from playing together and making it work is incredible," says Scanlan. "All that rock-god magic? It’s real, and honestly, something to envy."
Beth’s story begins in a low place: overwhelmed by her son’s demands, her elderly mother’s needs, and her job’s pressures, she’s losing her sense of self — something Wainwright knows all too well. The idea for Riot Women was sparked over a decade ago from her own turbulent menopause, which contrasted sharply with her mother’s claim that she "laughed" through it. "Looking back," Wainwright reflects, "I don’t think she was laughing. She just didn’t talk about how hard it was. It wasn’t openly discussed then, but now, thankfully, it is."
Part of the drama’s mission is to dismantle worn-out myths. Menopause isn’t just hot flushes and irritability — it can happen younger than people expect (one character, Kitty, is in her early 40s), and treatments like HRT can be helpful for far longer than commonly assumed. "We deserve more knowledge about menopause and what HRT can do," says Wainwright.
The show isn’t only about the women themselves — it examines how menopause affects families, relationships, and careers. With warmth, comedy, and heart, Riot Women celebrates women entering the so-called "second act" of life while challenging society’s tendency to minimize them.
Riot Women airs on BBC1, Sundays at 9pm.
In partnership with women’s health experts Move The Gap, HELLO! is also running a four-week free expert series focusing on four pillars of menopause health: heart health, mobility, muscle & bone strength, and cognitive well-being. Led by experts including Shakira Akabusi, Kate Rowe-Ham, Jenny Stout, and Monika Akabusi, the series offers practical advice to help women navigate this complicated chapter. You can sign up for the exclusive series online.
And here’s the question to you: Do you think society is finally dismantling its stereotypes of menopause, or are these women still fighting an uphill battle for visibility? Share your thoughts — and your own experiences — in the comments.
