Tamsin Greig Reveals Unexpected Challenges Faced While Filming New BBC Drama Riot Women
Riot Women, the new BBC drama, has recently premiered, providing a fresh take on supportive friendships among women facing menopause. This series captures the spontaneity and rebellious spirit of five women who form a punk band, bringing humor and depth to their mid-life journeys.
Unexpected Challenges for Tamsin Greig
Renowned actress Tamsin Greig plays Holly, a divorced police officer approaching retirement. She faced the challenge of mastering a Yorkshire accent and learning bass guitar for her role. Despite Holly being scripted as a novice bassist, Tamsin disclosed how she inadvertently altered Holly’s musical ineptitude, adding a personal touch to her character.
Recording Complexities
One distinct challenge came during song recording. Actors were required to record their parts and then mime during filming. Greig found mimicking the inaccuracies of playing offbeat quite complex, highlighting the difficulties involved in performing a musical role with precision.
Punk Band Lineup
- Holly (Tamsin Greig) – Bass
- Beth (Joanna Scanlan) – Keyboards
- Jess (Lorraine Ashbourne) – Drums
- Yvonne (Amelia Bullmore) – Guitar
- Kitty (Rosalie Craig) – Vocals
Rosalie Craig, with her musical theatre background, stood out in the band, her exceptional vocal talent often captivating those around her.
Tamsin Greig’s Career Path
Starting in lighthearted British sitcoms like Black Books and Friday Night Dinner, Tamsin Greig has proved adaptable to diverse roles. Despite initial hesitations over her singing abilities, she ultimately embraced musical projects, expanding her acting range.
Collaboration with Sally Wainwright
Sally Wainwright, the creator of Riot Women, met Tamsin Greig back in her early career days. The pair reconnected through this project, with Wainwright’s email eliciting immediate excitement from Greig. Their collaboration has resulted in a unique BBC series, available now on BBC iPlayer.
