TV & Showbiz

First look images released of new BBC drama series from Happy Valley creator filmed in Yorkshire

Another one to pop on the watchlist.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th January 2025

A new BBC series telling the story of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band is set to air later this year.

Riot Women, the brand-new drama from the multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright – best known for being the creator of Happy Valley – is a six-part series set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

First look pictures of the new show have now been released.

Starring Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Amelia Bullmore as band members, alongside a talented supporting cast consisting of Taj Atwal, Chandeep Uppal, and Macy-Jacob Seelochan as the band’s riotous backing singers, the newly-released pictures show the women in action.

First look images have been released of a new BBC drama series filmed in Yorkshire / Credit: BBC

According to a synopsis on the BBC website, Riot Women dives headfirst into the world of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest.

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But, in writing their first original song, they soon discover that they have a lot more to say than planned – and this is their way to say it.

As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates, and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.

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Creators and producers say the show is a testament to the power of friendship, music, and the resilience of women who “refuse to be silenced by age or expectation”.

Speaking ahead of the show airing later this year, Riot Women creator, Sally Wainwright, commented: “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.”

Read more:

Riot Women will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK later this year. 

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

The new Match of the Day presenter lineup has been confirmed

Danny Jones Danny Jones New Match of the Day presenters BBC

The brand-new presenter lineup has been confirmed for Match of the Day (MotD) following the departures of Gary Lineker and Ian Wright.

Lineker had been the lead anchor on the BBC’s flagship football programme for 25 years, spanning generations of fans after taking over the equally iconic Des Lynam back in 1999.

The 64-year-old ex-pro and England star is still in post at present but will be stepping down after the conclusion of the current Premier League season.

Following months of speculation around who would be taking over in the main chair across from regular pundits like Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, the corporation has now confirmed its new core team.

Who are the new Match of the Day presenters?

Kelly Cates makes the switch from Sky Sports

After reports began appearing earlier this month, popular presenter Kelly Cates is making the big switch to become one of three main hosts, though she does already host BBC Radio 5 Live’s Tuesday night sports coverage.

The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and a familiar face on Sky Sports weekly matchday on-screen talent since 2016 after first appearing as part of Sky Sports News back in 1998, she’s a recognisable face to anyone who regularly watches football. A great appointment.

‘Chappers’ continues in post

In at number two – a number he’s become more than familiar with during his time as part of the existing Match of the Day team – Mark Chapman isn’t going anywhere and will now be sharing an equal third of the presenting duties as co-host.

Chapman joined MotD back in 2013 following the departure of Colin Murray and has gone on to present various other BBC Sport productions, including their NFL coverage. ‘Chappers’ isn’t going anywhere and rightly so.

Gabby Logan remains a BBC Sport stalwart

Third and finally, Football Focus mainstay, multi-discipline sports presenter and BBC veteran, Gabby Logan, is taking her rightful place on the Match of the Day panel. About time if you ask us.

Also the son of a famous footballer – Leeds legend and Wales international Terry Yorath – and a retired athlete herself, having competed as a rhythmic gymnast, she’s been a household name on British telly for as long as most of us can remember.

Read more:

As for Lineker, you can expect an emotional send-off when he does call it this May.

The former Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs player will still be serving as a key part of the BBC’s FA Cup presenting team as well as future Euros and World Cups.

We’ll always have the memories, eh, Gary?

The new Match of the Day presenters have some big shorts to fill.

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Featured Images — BBC

TV & Showbiz

All the major Manchester locations used in Netflix’s Missing You

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson All the major Manchester locations used in Netflix's Missing You

Netflix and Harlan Coben thrillers have become bosom pals in recent years, and they love nothing more than to use Manchester as a filming location for all that action.

The popular streaming platform was back in town last year filming Missing You, a series that has immediately shot to the top-watched list since its release.

The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted more than a few familiar sights, with filming for Missing You taking place all over Manchester city centre and beyond.

You might also have spotted a few places that look familiar but not quite right, thanks to a bit of CGI rearranging the city.

Believe it or not, this is the ninth time that Netflix has adapted one of Harlan Coben’s books, and this is the third time they’ve filmed in Manchester.

Set to release on 1 January 2025, Missing You stars Rosalind Eleazar in the lead role as Kat Donovan, a detective specialising in Missing Persons.

Starring alongside other big British names like Ashley Walters, Richard Armitage, Sir Lenny Henry; Steve Pemberton, Jessica Plummer and James Nesbitt, the series is once again produced by Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios).

As the thrilling series goes on, you’ll see scenes like a meeting in Manchester Art Gallery, a tense conversation at Ancoats Marina, and even more tension (the whole thing is honestly quite tense) beneath the Pomona Island tram stop.

There are also a few scenes that take place on a band stand in a park, with Deansgate Square in the background. What the hell park is this, you ask? It’s actually Sefton Park in Liverpool, with our skyline edited in.

Trafford Town hall also doubles up as a police station in Missing You, again with the Manchester skyline added into the background.

Our heroic main character’s apartment is slap bang in the heart of Castlefield, and even the opening scene shows the familiar sight of a bustling Edge Street.

How many locations did you spot in Missing You?

Manchester Art Gallery in Missing You. Credit: Netflix
Manchester Art Gallery in Missing You. Credit: Netflix

Ancoats Marina

Missing You used Ancoats Marina as one of its filming locations
Missing You used Ancoats Marina as one of its filming locations. Credit: Netflix

Pomona Island

Pomona Island
Pomona Island. Credit: Netflix

Edge Street

Edge Street in the Northern Quarter in Missing You
Edge Street in the Northern Quarter in Missing You. Credit: Netflix

Castle Armoury, Bury

Castle Armoury, Bury
Castle Armoury, Bury

Trafford Town Hall

Trafford Town Hall in Missing You on Netflix
Trafford Town Hall in Missing You on Netflix

Mason’s Restaurant in Manchester Hall

Mason's. Credit: Netflix
Mason’s. Credit: Netflix

Castlefield

Castlefield in Missing You, Netflix.
Castlefield in Missing You, Netflix.

Featured image: Netflix

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