Wentworth season 8
| Company type | Television season |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | July 28, 2020 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Drama television series |
| Website | www |
The eighth installment of the Australian drama series Wentworth debuted on Fox Showcase on 28 July 2020. This concluding season, comprising twenty episodes, was divided into two segments: Wentworth: Redemption (the initial ten episodes, released in 2020) and Wentworth: The Final Sentence (the subsequent ten episodes, broadcast starting 24 August 2021). The storyline picks up following the previous season's siege, centering on both inmates and staff as they strive to rebuild their lives. A significant plot development is the return of Joan Ferguson, with an explanation provided for her survival after being buried alive by Will Jackson.
Season 8 introduced four principal new characters: Ann Reynolds (portrayed by Jane Hall), Lou Kelly (Kate Box), Judy Bryant (Vivienne Awosoga), and Reb Keane (Zoe Terakes). Additionally, notable special appearances include Marta Dusseldorp as Sheila Bausch and Tina Bursill as Eve Wilder.
In markets such as Canada and the United Kingdom, the latter half of season eight was promoted as an independent ninth season.
Main
- Leah Purcell as Rita Connors
- Kate Jenkinson as Allie Novak
- Katrina Milosevic as Susan "Boomer" Jenkins
- Robbie J Magasiva as Governor Will Jackson
- Bernard Curry as Jake Stewart
- Rarriwuy Hick as Ruby Mitchell
- Susie Porter as Marie Winter
- Kate Box as Lou Kelly
- Jane Hall as Ann Reynolds
- Zoe Terakes as Reb Keane
- Vivienne Awosoga as Judy Bryant
- Kate Atkinson as Vera Bennett
- Pamela Rabe as Joan Ferguson
Special guest
- Marta Dusseldorp as Sheila Bausch
- Tina Bursill as Eve Wilder
- Gary Sweet as Dale Langdon
Recurring
- David de Lautour as Dr. Greg Miller
- Jacquie Brennan as Deputy Governor Linda Miles
- Peter O'Brien as Tony Cockburn
- Emily Havea as Mon Alson
- Louisa Mignone as Zaina Saad
- Alexandra Schepisi as Cynthia Rattray
- Dion Mills as Joe Hoxon
- Marco Chiappi as Liam Skinner
- Tom Wren as Dominic Slade
- Kevin Harrington as Officer Roberts
- Alex Andreas as Detective Kanellis
- Mereoni Vuki as Detective McKenner
- Cecilia Low as Officer Deng
- Nicholas Farnell as Detective Jones
- Patrick Harvey as Detective Morelli
- Cle Morgan as Carla Sturgess
- Lana Williams as Kath Maxwell
- Greg Fryer as Blair Mitchell
Episodes
Production
The production of Wentworth season eight commenced in October 2019, consisting of twenty episodes under the subtitle "Redemption". The initial ten episodes were broadcast throughout 2020, with the remaining episodes airing in 2021.
Brian Walsh, Foxtel's Executive Director of Television, commended the series as a highlight within Foxtel’s Australian drama offerings, emphasizing the exceptional creative team and talented cast.
Among the new additions to the cast were Kate Box portraying Lou Kelly, a former Wentworth Correctional Facility top dog notorious for her brutal methods; Jane Hall as Ann Reynolds, who assumes the role of prison general manager following the siege; and Zoe Terakes playing Reb Keane, a transgender inmate and Lou’s romantic partner. Later, Vivienne Awosoga joined as Judy Bryant. These characters have roots in Prisoner, linking this series to its predecessor.
In June 2020, Marta Dusseldorp was introduced as Sheila Bausch, a cult follower implicated in mass murder, theft, and arson. Towards the end of 2020, Tina Bursill was cast as Eve Wilder for the concluding segment of season eight in 2021. Bursill had formerly played Sonia Stevens in Prisoner, while her new role was also adapted from that original show.
Accolades
Equity Ensemble Awards
- Nominated: Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series – Wentworth (Season 8, Part 1)
TV Tonight Awards
- Winner: TV Tonight Award for Best Australian Drama Series – Wentworth (Season 8, Part 1)
International broadcast
Season 8 made its debut in Australia on Fox Showcase on 28 July 2020 and premiered on August 5 on 5STAR in the United Kingdom. In New Zealand, it was shown on TVNZ's TVNZ 2 channel as well as via the TVNZ OnDemand streaming platform.
In Germany, Season 8 Part 2 was initially scheduled to launch on Sky Atlantic on 21 July 2021 with double episodes weekly. However, since this announcement preceded Foxtel's official release date of 24 August, Sky Atlantic postponed their premiere to follow the Australian broadcast.
The second half of the season aired concurrently with Australia on 24 August 2021 on 5STAR in the UK.
Home media
| Title | Release | Region | Format | Reference(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVD | Blu-ray | ||||
| Wentworth: Season 8, Part 1: Redemption | 25 November 2020 | File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia − Template:Center | Template:Ya | Template:Ya | [1][2] |
| Wentworth: Season 8, Part 2: The Final Sentence | 2 February 2022 | Template:Ya | Template:Ya | [3][4] | |
| Wentworth Prison: Season Eight, Part One | 23 November 2020 | Template:Country data UK − Template:Center | Template:Ya | Template:Ya | [5][6] |
| Wentworth Prison: Season Eight, Part Two | 22 November 2021 | Template:Ya | Template:Ya | [7][8] | |
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External links
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