Sally Wainwright on Learning the Drums, Facing Menopause Head-On, and Leading the Riot Women Revolution

Sally Wainwright has never been afraid of reinvention. Whether she’s rewriting television with razor-sharp dialogue or building heroines who refuse to be quiet, the acclaimed writer of Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, and Last Tango in Halifax has made a career out of shaking up expectations. But her latest chapter may be her most surprising — and empowering — yet.

In a candid new conversation, Wainwright opens up about learning the drums in her 50s, navigating the emotional and physical turbulence of menopause, and her bold creative leap into Riot Women — a project celebrating strength, resilience, and the art of refusing to disappear.

Why Sally Wainwright Picked Up Drums in Midlife

For most people, learning the drums isn’t the obvious choice after decades in a high-pressure creative career. But for Wainwright, it was a revelation.

“I didn’t want a gentle hobby,” she says. “I wanted something loud, physical, and alive.”

The drums gave her exactly that — a release, a rhythm, and a surprising sense of rebellion. What began as a curious experiment quickly became a source of freedom. Playing wasn’t just about learning beats; it was about reclaiming energy she felt slipping away during menopause.

And that leads to her next revelation…

Menopause Didn’t Slow Her Down — It Fueled Her

Wainwright speaks openly about something many women experience but often feel pressured to keep quiet: the emotional weight of menopause.

“It hits you in ways no one prepares you for,” she shares. “But it also strips things back. You stop apologising. You stop shrinking. You stop worrying about approval.”

Instead of derailing her creativity, menopause sharpened her focus. The struggles — from exhaustion to mood swings — didn’t silence her voice. They strengthened it.

This raw honesty became one of the core inspirations behind her newest project.

Enter: Riot Women — A Fierce Celebration of Womanhood

Riot Women is Wainwright’s newest creative firestorm — a deeply personal exploration of female rage, humour, resilience, and identity. The anthology-style project shines a light on women who refuse to fade into the background, especially as they age.

“It’s not about being angry,” she explains. “It’s about being truthful. Women at midlife and beyond are some of the most powerful, complex people on the planet — and it’s time our stories reflect that.”

Expect messy, hilarious, unfiltered characters. Expect emotional punches. Expect women who feel familiar — mothers, artists, misfits, rebels — finally stepping into the spotlight.

Wainwright isn’t just writing for them… she’s writing with them.

Why This Moment Matters

At a time when conversations around ageing, identity, and gender are shifting, Wainwright’s voice feels more vital than ever. Her journey — learning new skills, facing deeply personal challenges, and transforming them into art — is resonating widely.

Fans are already calling Riot Women:

• “A long-overdue celebration of real women.”

• “Sharp, funny, and fearless.”

• “Sally Wainwright at her most authentic.”

While Wainwright continues to work behind the scenes on her beloved series and new projects, she hints that her personal evolution is far from over.

“I’m still learning,” she smiles. “I hope I never stop.”

With drums in her hands, stories in her heart, and Riot Women on the horizon, Sally Wainwright is proving what her characters have always whispered beneath the surface:

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.