Blast From The Past

Prisoner
Cell Block H

Often outlandish drama series. Prisoner is a much derided but nevertheless still very popular show (re-runs still being seen in many countries) that told stories of the all female inmates of Wentworth Detention Centre. The show had its roots in the similar UK drama series Within These Walls but this was a much tougher cookie altogether with the women dealing with lesbianism, murder, drugs and the like. Key characters included tough inmate Bea Smith who ruled the roost at Wentworth (Queen Bea as she was known), prison officers Joan 'The Freak' Ferguson and Vera 'Vinegar Tits' Bennett. Other inmates included the elderly Lizzie Birdsworth, lesbian Franky Doyle. Towards the end of the shows run many of the original cast had departed with new prisoners coming and going at a steady rate. Outside of Australia the show is known as Prisoner: Cell Block H because of the Patrick McGoohan prisoner series.

Boxed set with select episodes available from Amazon.com . Also available to rent from Netflix.