The BBC's newest drama has sparked a mixed reaction, with some viewers labelling it as "rubbish" while others are hailing it as a "must-watch" for telly enthusiasts.

Riot Women is the broadcaster's latest six-part series, premiering on BBC One on Sunday, 12 October, and all episodes are also accessible on iPlayer.

Penned by renowned writer Sally Wainwright and filmed in the town of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Riot Women tells the tale of five women who form an unlikely punk rock band.

Featuring Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Amelisa Bullmore, Riot Women seemed poised to be an instant hit with TV fans; however, not everyone was charmed by the show.

"#RiotWomen would have switched this off had it not been written by #SallyWainwright and included some great actresses. This did not save it. Sorry, but it was rubbish," one viewer grumbled on X, reports theMirror.

Another remarked: "Wow, #RiotWomen was painful and terrible," while a third simply stated: "#RiotWomen sorry not buying it - a load of Hebden Bridge nonsense."

"I'm finding it very heavy handed and a bit disappointing #RiotWomen," someone else added, with another viewer insisting they "switched off after 15 minutes".

However, other BBC viewers were immediately captivated by Riot Women and took to social media to laud the drama, with many praising writer Sally's work.

One fan said, "Just wanted to have a look, but hooked already, what a fabulously talented cast! Dialogue is so good," and another agreed, "#RiotWomen is a must-watch binge."

One viewer enthused: "Absolutely! Sally knows how to create magic on screen!" while another BBC fan chimed in with: "Absolutely brilliant #RiotWomen. Sally Wainwright does it again."

The drama Riot Women has been met with critical acclaim, earning a four-star rating from The Guardian. The review noted: "Riot Women covers a lot of ground without getting bogged down or leaving the viewer feeling shortchanged."

The i Paper also showered praise on the series, stating: "Wainwright isn't the first to tackle the menopause years, but she's one of the very best to do so."

Riot Women, a six-part series, sees Sally Wainwright wearing multiple hats as creator, writer, and lead director. The show features original music from the band ARXX.

The main cast of Riot Women is supported by vocalists Nisha, Kam, and Miranda, played by Taj Atwal, Chandeep Uppal, and Macy Seelochan, respectively. The star-studded series also includes Anne Reid, Sue Johnston, Peter Davison, Claire Skinner, Angel Coulby, and Jonny Green among others.

Riot Women is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.