Fans of Happy Valley – you are in for a treat.
For it has been announced that the writer behind the hit show, Sally Wainwright, of the Cotswolds, has created another for the BBC.
The new mini-series called Hot Flush will feature five middle-aged women who come together to create a makeshift, punk-rock band in order to enter a talent contest.
But when they begin rehearsals they suddenly discover that they have a lot more to say than they ever imagined.
The six-part drama, which is yet to receive a date for release, follows the women as they deal with demanding jobs, dependent parents, grown-up children, unreliable husbands and the menopause.
Sally Wainwright, 60, lives in the Cotswolds but says she prefers Yorkshire. She is a prestigious playwright
And two of the women – Kitty and Beth – share a long-buried secret that threatens to tear everything apart.
Sally said: ‘I’ve been wanting to write a series like this for a long time. It’s a celebration of women of a certain age, and all the life-stuff they suddenly find themselves negotiating/dealing with.
‘The show is also my own personal homage to Rock Follies of ’77, and the feisty Little Ladies who woke me up to what I wanted to do with my life when I was 13.’
On social media, under the hashtag #SallyWainwright, fans reacted to the news with excitement.
One wrote: ‘Sally Wainwright giving us menopausal punk Rock Follies. Yes please!’
Another wrote: ‘Can’t wait. Love Sally.’
One added that they were very excited, but then wanted Sally to return to write a their series of Gentleman Jack.
While another urged the casting directors to cast former Coronation Street and Scott and Bailey actress Amelia Bullmore, 59.
Another posted: ‘Cinematic universe strikes again. I can’t wait to see how many actors from Scott and Bailey, Gentleman Jack and Happy Valley show up.’
Actress Sarah Lancashire starring as Catherine Cawood in the hit series of Happy Valley set in Yorkshire
Roanna Benn, executive producer of the show said: ‘I am truly over the moon to be working with the amazing Sally on her new show for the BBC.
‘In Hot Flush, Sally has found a unique way to explore and celebrate female friendships that is bold, vital and true.
‘In inimitable Sally-style, Hot Flush introduces us to brilliant and unforgettable characters; it is so funny, and simultaneously so full of drama, it will have you laughing and sitting on the edge of your seat.’
The six-part drama from Doctor Foster producers Drama Republic.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: ‘We’re so excited to have the magnificent Sally Wainwright back writing on the BBC, with the brilliant Drama Republic team producing.
‘Hot Flush is a sharply observed, vibrant and vital story of five very different women at the same stage in their lives, joined together by their love of music.
Social media users went wild over the news online, with many saying they couldn’t wait for the programme to air
‘But that’s just the start and – as you’d expect from Sally – there are twists and turns aplenty to keep viewers enthralled.’
The BBC has not yet released the date for when Hot Flush will air.
Sally grew up in Yorkshire, but now lives in the Cotswolds.
She got into writing at a young age, securing an agent after she took an original play to Edinburgh in her early twenties.
Most recently, she has written and directed the acclaimed hit Happy Valley – the hugely successful crime drama staring Sarah Lancashire.
Set in Calder Valley, west Yorkshire, the first series aired in 2014 – with the third and final series airing this year.
It won the 2015 BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series, and won another BAFTA for Best Drama for the second series.
