Maxine Conway
Maxine Conway | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Known for | Recurring character in Wentworth |
Maxine Conway (previously known as Max) is a recurring figure in the series Wentworth, played by Socratis Otto. Maxine functions as the personal protector for Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) and stands out as a transgender character within the narrative. She was romantically involved with Gary until she stabbed him.
In Season 4, Episode 4, Maxine receives a diagnosis of breast cancer, and by Season 5, Episode 2, she leaves Wentworth to undergo specialized medical treatment.
Background
As detailed on the official Wentworth website, Maxine is a transgender woman who transitioned from male to female. Despite having undergone gender reassignment surgery and adopting a feminine presentation, her appearance still clearly reflects male characteristics. After her boyfriend rejected her following her surgery, Maxine responded by stabbing him, which resulted in her imprisonment at Wentworth.
Characterisation
Otto described Maxine as "an entirely innocent soul" and emphasized her unwavering loyalty to Bea. His goal was to portray a transgender character that defies common stereotypes without explicitly educating the audience.
He drew parallels between Maxine and fellow inmate Boomer, noting their shared feelings of exclusion and their mutual search for affection. By the third season, Maxine gains confidence and strengthens her alliance with Bea, revealing a bold, witty personality often highlighted through humorous interactions with Boomer.
In an interview with the Herald Sun, Otto underscored Maxine’s embodiment of traditionally feminine qualities such as care, devotion, and self-reliance. He also pointed out that Maxine emerges as a survivor who frequently surpasses other female characters in resilience.
Appearance and Costume
Otto admitted his dislike for the long artificial nails required for Maxine’s role. To achieve the character’s feminine form, he wore specialized transgender undergarments including hip and buttock padding along with "chicken fillets." He noted that his makeup routine was more time-consuming than that of other cast members and mentioned that colleagues envied the variety of looks he portrayed throughout the season. Initially holding misconceptions about transgender individuals, Otto’s research for the role transformed his understanding.
Cancer
In the episode titled "Screw Lover," Maxine is diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive cancer. Otto highlighted that this cancer type affects both genders but remains under-recognized publicly. He described the storyline as a powerful examination of identity confronted by a life-threatening illness, showcasing profound themes of family and friendship beyond gender boundaries. Otto commended the writers for crafting an emotionally rich and demanding arc for Maxine during that season.
Storylines
Maxine enters Wentworth as a new inmate and initially faces transphobic hostility. She quickly establishes herself by defending Bea from an attack orchestrated by the Holts. In "Metamorphosis," Maxine attempts to flee but is apprehended before crossing the prison perimeter; during this incident, she loses her wig when Vera refuses to return it.
In "The Fixer," after providing Jess with urine to falsify a pregnancy test, Ferguson retaliates by cutting off Maxine’s hormone therapy. Subsequently, Maxine infiltrates Franky Doyle's faction. She aids Bea in obtaining a knife in "Into The Night" and witnesses the confrontation between Bea and Franky.
During "Fear Her," Maxine undergoes brief questioning regarding Bea’s escape and later observes critical events including Bea’s recapture and Brayden’s demise. In "The Governor's Pleasure," she leads a riot under Bea's command until Bea regains control.
Throughout the third season, Maxine remains steadfastly loyal to Bea in resisting Ferguson’s authority. In "Failing Upwards," she restrains Boomer during an incident where Bea burns her hand and remarks on never having experienced pizza for breakfast while assisting in delivering pizzas to inmates.
In "Righteous Acts," Maxine assaults Jodie Speteri following an attack on Bea, exposing Ferguson’s manipulations. She reminds Bea in "Freak Show" of their vow to dismantle Ferguson regardless of consequences. In "Blood and Fire," Maxine anxiously watches as Bea and Franky enter the burning prison to save Doreen’s baby Josh.
Reception
Otto expressed in an interview that he was surprised by the international recognition Wentworth received and found it rewarding to portray a transgender character.
A journalist from Metro identified Maxine as among the series’ most beloved figures. The Daily Telegraph commented on Otto’s transformation, describing him as "unrecognisable" in his portrayal of the transgender inmate Maxine Conway. According to Metro, Maxine is "a transgender character who broke significant barriers to emerge as one of the most compelling and endearing personalities."
An author at AfterEllen drew parallels between Maxine and Sophia Burset from Orange Is The New Black, emphasizing that scenes frequently highlighted her difference and marginalization, with the camera often depicting her as harshly as the other prisoners. Gay Times attributed much of season three's dramatic appeal to Maxine’s character.
In a plotline involving an assassination attempt on Bea Smith, Metro referred to Maxine, one of the alleged assailants, noting that "Transgendered Maxine Conway certainly sparked suspicion and raised eyebrows." Elaine Atwell offered criticism of Maxine’s cancer arc, finding the timing of her metastasis during her tenure as Top Dog somewhat implausible, though she acknowledged it served a dramatic purpose.