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Wentworth (TV series)

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Wentworth
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedMay 1, 2013; 13 years ago (2013-05-01)
FounderLara Radulovich, David Hannam
Headquarters
Australia
ProductsTelevision drama series

Wentworth is an Australian drama television series that debuted on SoHo on 1 May 2013 and wrapped up with its 100th episode airing on Fox Showcase on 26 October 2021. Created by Lara Radulovich and David Hannam, based on Reg Watson's original idea, the show serves as a modern reinterpretation of the classic series Prisoner (1979–1986). Set in the present day, the narrative initially centers on Bea Smith's (Danielle Cormack) early incarceration and ascent to dominance within the prison, transitioning to a broader ensemble storyline starting from the fifth season.

Production for the first three seasons was carried out on purpose-built sets located in Clayton, Victoria, before relocating to Newport, Victoria, beginning with season four. The series garnered positive reviews from critics; its premiere marked the highest-rated debut for an Australian drama on Foxtel and evolved into one of Foxtel's most enduring domestic dramas. Internationally, it was broadcast in regions such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom, where it is titled Wentworth Prison.

An eighth and concluding season consisting of 20 episodes was commissioned, divided into two segments that aired from July to September 2020 and from August to October 2021.

Premise

Set in contemporary Australia, Wentworth follows Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) during her initial imprisonment after being charged with attempted murder of her husband.[1] Separated from her daughter and held on remand, Bea must navigate the complex social structure of the prison while learning how to endure its harsh conditions.[1]

Main cast

Special guest appearances

  • Marta Dusseldorp featured as Sheila Bausch in season 8
  • Tina Bursill portrayed Eve Wilder in season 8. Bursill had earlier appeared in "Prisoner" playing Sonia Stevens; in Wentworth, this role was taken on by Sigrid Thornton.

Recurring performers

  • Jacqueline Brennan as Linda Miles (seasons 1 through 8)
  • Ra Chapman as Kim Chang (seasons 1 to 5)
  • Martin Sacks in the role of Derek Channing (seasons 1 to 6)
  • Lucia Brancatisano as Officer Peta Webb (seasons 1 to 8)
  • Reef Ireland portraying Brayden Holt (seasons 1 and 2)
  • Benne Harrison as Rosalind "Roz" Jago (seasons 1 to 3)
  • Cassandra Magrath playing Hayley Jovanka (seasons 1 through 3)
  • Richard Sutherland as Alan Doyle (seasons 1 and 4 to 6)
  • Georgia Flood as Debbie Smith (seasons 1 and 2, with a cameo in season 4)
  • Louise Harris portraying Ronnie Katsis (season 1)
  • Rondah Dam as Phillipa "Pip" Turner (season 1)
  • John Bach in the role of Vinnie Holt (season 1)
  • Melitta St Just playing Megan Summers (seasons 1 and 2)
  • Lynette Curran as Rita Bennett (seasons 1 and 2)
  • Jada Alberts portraying Toni Goodes (seasons 1 and 2)
  • Annie Jones as Rachel Sanger (seasons 1 and 2)
  • Scott Parmeter in the role of Chris Bakula (seasons 1 to 3)
  • Jake Ryan as Harry Smith (recurring in seasons 1 and 2; cameo in season 3)
  • Ally Fowler playing Simone "Simmo" Slater (recurring seasons 1 and 2; cameo season 3)
  • Steve Le Marquand as Colin Bates (season 2)
  • Tony Briggs portraying Steve Faulkner (season 2)
  • Katherine Halliday as Sarah Briggs (season 2)
  • Kathryn Beck in the role of Sky Pierson (season 2)
  • Kasia Kaczmarek playing Lindsay Coulter (seasons 2 and 3)
  • Bessie Holland as Stella Radic (seasons 2 through 5)
  • Christen O'Leary portraying Kelly Bryant (seasons 2 and 3)
  • Alex Menglet as Ivan Ferguson (seasons 2 and 3)
  • Edwina Samuels playing Sophie Donaldson (seasons 2 and 3)
  • Maggie Naouri in the role of Rose Atkins (seasons 2 and 3)
  • Georgia Chara as Jess Warner (seasons 2 and 3)
  • Tony Nikolakopoulos portraying Nils Jesper (seasons 2 to 4)
  • Luke McKenzie as Nash Taylor (seasons 2 through 5)
  • Marta Kaczmarek playing Marge Nowak (seasons 2 and later season 5)
  • Miles Paras as Cindy Lou (season 3)
  • Pia Miranda portraying Jodie Spiteri (season 3)
  • Damien Richardson as Michael Mears (season 3)
  • Katerina Kotsonis playing Brenda Murphy (seasons 3 through 6)
  • Libby Tanner as Bridget Westfall (seasons 3 to 6)
  • Sally-Anne Upton portraying Lucy "Juicy Lucy" Gambaro (seasons 3 to 6)
  • Charli Tjoe in the role of Tina Mercado (seasons 3 to 5)
  • Steve Bastoni playing Don Kaplan (seasons 4 and 5)
  • Hunter Page-Lochard as Shayne Butler (seasons 4–5)
  • Sophia Katos portraying Mel Barrett (seasons 4–5)
  • Maddy Jevic as Lee Radcliffe (seasons 4–6)
  • Sarah Hallam playing Jen "Hutch" Hutchins (seasons 5–8)
  • Danielle Alexis portraying Dana Malouf (season 5)
  • Zahra Newman as Iman Farah (season 5)
  • Chloe Ng playing Nurse Shen (seasons 6–8)
  • Emily Havea portraying Mon Alston (seasons 6–8)
  • Shane Connor as Ray Houser (seasons 6–7)
  • Natalia Novikova playing Zara Dragovich (season 6)
  • Artemis Ioannides portraying Vicky Kosta (seasons 6–7)
  • David de Lautour as Dr. Greg Miller (seasons 7–8)
  • Morgana O'Reilly playing Narelle Stang (season 7)
  • Rick Donald portraying Sean Brody (season 7)
  • Anni Finsterer as May Jenkins (season 7)
  • Alexandra Schepisi playing Cynthia Rattray (season 8)
  • Louisa Mignone portraying Zaina Saad (season 8)
  • Jennifer Vuletic as Mandy (season 8)
  • Kevin Harrington playing Officer Roberts (season 8)
  • Tom Wren portraying Dominic Slade (season 8)
  • Brian Vriends as Dr. Mendel (season 8)
  • Peter O'Brien playing Tony Cockburn (season 8)
  • Greg Fryer in the role of Blair Mitchell (season 8)
  • Huw Higginson portraying Gavin Thompson (season 8)

Guest appearances and cameos

  • Anne Charleston portrayed Celeste Donaldson in season 1 (Charleston had multiple roles in the original series, most notably Deidre Kean)
  • Andrew Blackman featured as Oliver Donaldson during season 1
  • Brett Swain appeared as Max Henderson in a single episode
  • Carla Bonner took on the role of Manda Katsis in season 1
  • Gloria Ajenstat played Georgia Henderson in season 1
  • Hany Lee Choi was cast as Su-Yun Lee in season 2
  • Maria Angelico portrayed Katrina "Trina" Jenkins during season 2
  • Liddy Clark appeared as Hazel Fullagher in season 3 (Clark also had two roles in the original Prisoner series)
  • Neil Melville acted as Brendan Maddock in season 3
  • Debra Lawrance took on the character Faith Proctor in season 4
  • Georgina Naidu played Dr. Chappell across three episodes in season 4
  • Geraldine Hakewill featured as Kylee Webb in season 7
  • Jackson Gallagher appeared as Travis Kelly in season 8
  • Gary Sweet was cast as Dale Langdon in season 8
  • Maria Mercedes portrayed Detective Ayoub in three episodes
  • Marta Kaczmarek appeared as Marge Nowak
  • Nicholas Bell played Dr. Foster in one episode
  • Steve Mouzakis featured as Detective Russell Minton for one episode
  • Damien Fotiou took on the role of Detective Puzo in a single episode

Conceptualization

In March 2012, Foxtel commissioned a modern re-envisioning of the classic Australian soap Prisoner, which originally aired in the late 20th century. Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s executive director of television, clarified that Wentworth would not be a straightforward remake but rather a bold, intense drama crafted specifically for subscription television viewers, aiming to push creative boundaries while authentically portraying contemporary prison life.

The series was developed by Lara Radulovich and David Hannam, drawing from Reg Watson's original idea, with FremantleMedia producing and Jo Porter serving as drama director. Pete McTighe penned the initial episodes. The concept drew inspiration from an "Underbelly-style remake" approach to Prisoner, with television critic Michael Idato acting as series consultant and Kerry Tucker providing expertise to ensure realism.

Producer Jo Porter emphasized the show’s exploration of "the politics of women in a predominantly male environment," delving into how incarceration tests and transforms them. Set against a modern backdrop, Wentworth chronicles Bea Smith’s early experiences within the prison system, combining characters from the original series with newly created ones tailored for this adaptation.

Foxtel announced that legacy characters would be reinterpreted for contemporary audiences. Although initial plans did not include appearances by original cast members, Anne Charleston made a guest appearance, while Alex Menglet and Gloria Ajenstat returned for guest roles. The production team also contemplated integrating the iconic Prisoner theme song, "On The Inside," into the new series.

Eight-season tenure

On 5 June 2013, Wentworth secured renewal for its second season, with filming commencing later that year and broadcast scheduled for 2014. Porter highlighted the strength of the writing team and the wealth of narrative possibilities. By January 2014, a third season was greenlit ahead of the second season’s premiere. Likewise, a twelve-episode fourth season was announced before the third debuted on 27 February 2015; it premiered on 10 May 2016. On 19 July 2016, Cormack confirmed commissioning of a fifth season, which began airing on 4 April 2017.

Showcase renewed the show for its sixth season on 9 May 2017; it premiered on 19 June 2018. The seventh season was ordered in April 2018 prior to the sixth’s premiere, with production starting immediately and a premiere date set for 28 May 2019. On 5 December 2018, an expanded twenty-episode eighth season was confirmed, with production starting late October 2019. The first half of season eight aired on 28 July 2020, followed by its second half in 2021.

In October 2019, it was announced that the series would conclude after the second part of its eighth season in 2021, marking it as Foxtel’s longest-running hour-long drama with a total of one hundred episodes.

Casting

On 4 October 2012, it was announced that Celia Ireland, Kate Atkinson, and newcomer Shareena Clanton had been added to the Wentworth cast. Danielle Cormack took on the role of Beatrice "Queen Bea" Smith and expressed excitement about revitalizing the classic drama. Corrections officers were portrayed by Robbie Magasiva and Aaron Jeffery, while Nicole da Silva, Kris McQuade, Catherine McClements, and Leeanna Walsman also joined the cast.[7]

Following the first season, the notorious Prisoner character Joan "The Freak" Ferguson—a ruthless prison officer—was introduced in season two. Producer Porter emphasized the wealth of material available from the original series. On 21 September 2013, Pamela Rabe was officially cast in this role. It is notable that McQuade, McClements, and Walsman did not return for the second season, whereas Katrina Milosevic (Susan "Boomer" Jenkins) was elevated to the main cast.[8]

The third season expanded the ensemble with actresses Pia Miranda, Libby Tanner, and Tammy MacIntosh, who played inmate Jodie Spiteri, psychologist Bridget Westfall, and vigilante Karen "Kaz" Proctor respectively. In season four, Australian television legend Sigrid Thornton appeared as Sonia Stevens, a character inspired by a Prisoner role originally portrayed by Tina Bursill. Bursill herself returned later in season eight as Eve Wilder.[9]

In November 2015, new additions included Kate Jenkinson as inmate Allie Novak and Bernard Curry as correctional officer Jake Stewart. By April 2018, Indigenous actress Leah Purcell joined as Rita Connors, alongside Susie Porter playing criminal matriarch Marie Winter and Rarriwuy Hick portraying boxer Ruby Mitchell. Additionally, Shane Connor appeared in a recurring capacity.[10]

Season seven welcomed Morgana O'Reilly, Rick Donald, and David de Lautour to the cast. In June 2020, it was revealed that Marta Dusseldorp would join season eight as Sheila Bausch, a cult leader accused of multiple murders.[11]

In October 2019, three new cast members were introduced for season eight: Kate Box as Lou Kelly, Zoe Terakes as Reb Keane, and Jane Hall as Ann Reynolds.[12]

Filming

Foxtel confirmed that Wentworth would not be filmed at the original ATV-10 studios located in Nunawading, Victoria, where Prisoner had been produced. Instead, production took place on a custom-built set in Clayton, Victoria, involving a crew and cast of approximately 300 people. The inaugural ten-episode season was shot over four months beginning 10 October 2012 and premiered on Foxtel's SoHo channel on 1 May 2013.

Production for season two commenced on 23 September 2013 and concluded on 13 February 2014; it debuted on 20 May 2014. The third season began filming in March and wrapped by late July 2014. That same month saw the sale of the filming location and dismantling of the set, necessitating a search for new premises. Season three aired starting 7 April 2015. Filming for season four began in late 2015, with season five shot in Melbourne from August 2016 onward. On 9 May 2017, Showcase renewed the program for a sixth season which started production shortly thereafter.

On 18 March 2020, production on the latter half of the eighth and final season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial ten episodes remained scheduled for release from July 2020. Filming for the concluding portion resumed later and was completed by 4 September 2020.

Theme song

The initial theme for Wentworth was crafted by rock artist Richard Pleasance, serving as the instrumental opening tune during the first season. In season two, the show introduced a revamped version featuring lyrics entitled "You Don't Know Me," performed by Pleasantville with vocals by Pleasance's spouse, Michelle. Throughout the series, an orchestral instrumental piece, different from the opening theme, was used as the closing music. For the eighth season, both the opening and ending themes were refreshed as instrumentals, removing any vocal elements.

Direction

Across its eight seasons, Wentworth featured various directors, with Kevin Carlin helming 32 episodes. Other significant contributors included Steve Jodrell, Dee McLachlan, and Beck Cole.

Broadcast

Wentworth has been distributed to over 90 territories worldwide. On 2 April 2013, TVNZ secured broadcasting rights for New Zealand. Shortly thereafter, in April 2013, UK’s Channel 5 obtained rights and rebranded the series as Wentworth Prison. Kate Keenan, Channel 5’s acquisitions head, emphasized its strong resonance with crime drama enthusiasts. The UK premiere took place on Channel 5 on 28 August 2013.

Later seasons in the UK aired initially on Channel 5 before shifting to its sister channel 5Star due to diminishing viewership. Season five debuted on 5Star on 23 May 2017; season six followed on 23 June 2018 in a Saturday evening slot; season seven premiered on 8 June 2019; and season eight launched on 5 August 2020 during a Wednesday night timeslot. The final portion of season eight was broadcast simultaneously with Australia on 24 August 2021 via 5STAR.

In Ireland, Wentworth was shown on TV3 starting June 2014, with the second season premiering in January 2015. In Canada, seasons one and two were aired on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network towards the end of 2015.

Despite its robust global fanbase, Foxtel contemplated ending the series after season four due to piracy issues affecting financial returns necessary for future production.

Within Australia, ABC 1 began airing Wentworth from its first season in April 2018, with reruns accessible through ABC Iview.

Streaming

In December 2014, Wentworth made its debut on Netflix in the United States, launching seasons one and two simultaneously. Subsequent seasons continued to be added through October 2021, with season eight split into two parts. The series is listed among the “50 Best TV Shows on Netflix” according to Netflix Life. Additionally, seasons one through three are available via Amazon Prime Video in the US.

In the United Kingdom, all nine seasons stream on Amazon Prime Video and are also accessible through Google Play and YouTube. Australian viewers can catch up via Foxtel Now, while New Zealand audiences access episodes through TVNZ OnDemand. The UK’s My5 platform offers limited-time streaming following broadcast and retains unlimited streaming rights through 2023. As of 2021, all eight seasons are offered on Amazon Prime Video within the UK market.

Home media

In Australia, Wentworth is distributed on DVD and Blu-ray formats. The initial season was released by Shock Records, with later seasons handled by Roadshow Entertainment. In the UK—where it was originally titled "Wentworth Prison"—the first three seasons were released by Fremantle Home Entertainment, after which Network took over all distribution rights. UK releases remained DVD-only until season seven received a Blu-ray edition in 2019, followed by season eight in 2020. Multiple-season collections are available on both DVD and Blu-ray in Australia but only as DVDs in the UK. Since 2018, multi-season box sets have ceased release in the UK.

In the United States, seasons one through three have been issued on DVD by Acorn Media, with no announcements regarding future releases.

Individual
Season Release date Features
Region 1 (U.S.) Region 2/B (UK) Region 2/B (DE) Region 4/B (AU)
1 15 November 2016 4 November 2013 24 February 2017 18 November 2013

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2 7 March 2017 24 November 2014 28 April 2017 22 October 2014

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3 6 June 2017 12 October 2015 30 June 2017 14 October 2015

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4 Template:N/A 7 November 2016 25 March 2018 5 October 2016

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5 Template:N/A 9 October 2017 Template:N/A 4 October 2017

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6 Template:N/A 15 October 2018 Template:N/A 3 October 2018

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7 Template:N/A 11 November 2019 Template:N/A 2 October 2019

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8 − Part 1 Template:N/A 23 November 2020 Template:N/A 25 November 2020

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8 − Part 2 Template:N/A 22 November 2021 Template:N/A 2 February 2022

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Key
  = DVD only
  = Available on both DVD & Blu-ray

Reception

Throughout its broadcast, the series has consistently garnered widespread critical praise. Following the pilot's release in February 2013, Ben Pobjie of The Age hailed Wentworth as "a triumph," commending its scriptwriting, ensemble cast, and the suspenseful, evocative direction. He characterized it as "a potent, almost cinematic drama" with a unique voice while retaining subtle "echoes" from the original Prisoner show. Holly Byrnes from the Herald Sun described the series as an "exceptional reinterpretation" that boldly diverges in plotlines reminiscent of acclaimed US dramas such as Breaking Bad, also lauding the performances, particularly that of Cormack.

Upon its introduction to North American audiences, reviewers often likened it to the US prison dramedy Orange Is the New Black, though Liz Raftery of TV Guide underscored its more unflinching depiction of incarceration, labeling it "edge-of-your-seat television" and spotlighting Sue 'Boomer' Jenkins as an especially compelling character. Margaret Lyons from New York referred to it as a "relentlessly dark drama" featuring intricately woven narratives that yield significant resolutions, calling it a "smart and proficient" production.

Gerard O'Donovan of The Daily Telegraph applauded the presence of "exceptionally strong, multifaceted female characters," noting the show's dedication to its violent, melodramatic origins over mainstream appeal. He also emphasized its uncommon normalization of lesbian relationships and portrayed a setting where women predominantly wield power, albeit not always positively. In contrast, Matt Baylis from the Daily Express critiqued the series for lacking innovation and including superfluous scenes, favoring the original series and considering Wentworth its antithesis.

The debut episode drew 244,000 viewers, marking it as Foxtel's highest-rated premiere for an Australian drama series. In the United Kingdom, the show premiered to an audience of 1.67 million viewers, securing a 10.3% share during its 10 pm timeslot.

Accolades

Since premiering in 2013, Wentworth has received substantial acclaim, accumulating 24 Logie Award nominations and securing seven wins. Prominent awardees include Danielle Cormack, Celia Ireland, and Pamela Rabe. The series earned Most Outstanding Drama Series honors in 2015, 2018, and 2019, along with Most Popular Drama Program in 2018.

Additionally, the show has been recognized by the AACTA Awards, ASTRA Awards, Australian Directors Guild Awards, and Australian Writers Guild Awards, with further nominations from both the Australian Screen Editors and Equity Awards.

Adaptations

Multiple season sets
24 November 2014 22 October 2014
12 October 2015 (No release) 14 October 2015
bgcolor="#DED" |11 December 2020 bgcolor="#DEF" |5 October 2016
(No release)|(No release)
(No release)|Available as of February 2022 |
Country Local title Network Seasons Episodes Original release
File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Celblok H SBS6 4 46 3 March 2014 – 27 March 2017
File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany Block B – Unter Arrest RTL 1 10 12 March – 30 April 2015
File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Gent-West VIER/Telenet 2 22 7 February 2018 – 19 April 2019
File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Avlu Star TV 3 54 29 March 2018 – 30 May 2019

See also

  • Bad Girls, a UK drama series featuring a comparable storyline

External links

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  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Dusseldorp
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Season8Cast
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