Ruqayyah Snyder
The Australian prison drama series 'Wentworth' has been compared to the popular American series 'Orange Is the New Black' for its portrayal of life in a women's prison. Both series explore the dynamics of prison cliques and the relationships between prisoners and staff, with Wentworth praised for its gritty and dark tone, intense storytelling, and exploration of human nature. While Orange Is the New Black combines comedy with drama, Wentworth delves deeper into the brutal and violent aspects of prison life, resonating with viewers seeking a more serious and gripping prison drama.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Australian Prison Show | Wentworth |
| Based on | The 1970s show Prisoner |
| Genre | Drama, Comedy |
| Tone | Darker, Grittier, Violent |
| Themes | Brutality, Racial Discrimination, LGBTQ+ representation |
| Plot | Backstories of prisoners and staff, their relationships and struggles |
| Cast | Danielle Cormack, Nicole da Silva, Kris McQuade, Pamela Rabe |
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What You'll Learn
Australian show Wentworth is darker and grittier than OITNB
The Australian TV show *Wentworth* and the American series *Orange Is the New Black* (OITNB) are both prison shows with female leads and similar characters and plot points. However, *Wentworth* is often described as darker and grittier than *OITNB*.
While *OITNB* combines comedy with drama, offering light-hearted entertainment with some tear-jerker moments, *Wentworth* is a more brutal, visceral, and raw depiction of prison life. The show has a subdued presentation, a blueish hue, and a smaller cast, making it easier for viewers to get attached to the characters. The Australian show is also considered more realistic when it comes to drug use, corruption, and violence in prison.
Both shows explore similar issues, including racial discrimination, funding cuts, and the struggles of prisoners and staff and their relationships. However, *Wentworth* is set apart by its exploration of the "innocent until proven guilty" pre-trial confinement in Australia, where people awaiting trial are kept with convicted persons.
While *OITNB* has been praised for its humorous and glamorous approach, with some viewers enjoying it as a trip to an all-woman's summer camp, *Wentworth* takes a different path. Its dark and depressing tone, along with its focus on death, fighting, and nail-biting drama, makes it a more intense and gripping watch for those seeking a grittier prison drama.
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Wentworth is a remake of the 1970s show Prisoner
Wentworth is an Australian television drama series that is considered a contemporary reimagining or remake of the 1970s show Prisoner. Prisoner, a wildly successful Australian soap opera, ran from 1979 to 1986 on Network Ten and had 692 episodes.
Wentworth was first broadcast on SoHo on 1 May 2013 and concluded on 26 October 2021 with its 100th episode. The series explores the life of Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) when she first enters prison after being charged with the attempted murder of her abusive husband. Bea is separated from her daughter and sent to Wentworth Prison on remand, where she has to learn how to survive in prison. The series initially focuses on Bea's early days in prison and her subsequent rise to the top of the prison's hierarchy.
The show's creators have stated that Wentworth is not a remake of Prisoner, but rather a dynamic and confronting drama series developed for subscription television audiences. However, it is considered a remake by viewers and critics due to the similarities between the two series. The original characters from Prisoner were given a contemporary interpretation in Wentworth, with some cameos and guest roles from the original cast.
While there are similarities between the two series, there are also notable differences. For example, in Prisoner, Bea is heterosexual and is top dog for at least ten years, while in Wentworth, she is bisexual and holds the top dog position for a much shorter period. Additionally, Wentworth is known for its grittier, darker, and more naturalistic portrayals of women's prison life, with a faster pace and more action than Prisoner.
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Wentworth explores gang beatings, mutilations, rape and murder
Wentworth, an Australian television drama series, explores gang beatings, mutilations, rape, and murder. It is a contemporary reimagining of the 1980s series Prisoner, which was also set in Wentworth Correctional Center. The show follows Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack), a hairdresser in her forties convicted of attempting to murder her abusive husband. Bea is forced to navigate the prison's hierarchy, dealing with power struggles, violent outbursts, and shifting relationships.
The show is known for its gritty violence and dark themes, with each episode potentially featuring gang beatings, mutilations, rape, or murder. The characters reside in a moral grey area, and the show does not shy away from portraying the reality of prison life and the criminals within it. The stakes are incredibly high, with anyone potentially being the next to go, as seen in the first season with three shocking deaths.
The show also explores the lives of the guards and governors, who are just as compelling as the prisoners. Their lives inside and outside of Wentworth are fascinating, with stories such as a grieving widower spiraling into addiction and a female guard dealing with an abusive mother. The guards are more than just behavioral enforcers, and their relationships with the inmates add complexity to the show.
Wentworth has been praised for its exceptional performances and boundary-pushing female characters. It has gained international recognition, including in the US, and has received positive reviews for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and its exploration of the dangers of prison. The show provides a realistic and gripping portrayal of prison life, distinguishing itself from other prison shows like Orange Is the New Black, which has been criticized for making prison life seem bearable and its characters less realistic.
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Wentworth has exceptional performances and boundary-pushing characters
The Australian prison drama Wentworth has been praised for its exceptional performances and boundary-pushing characters. The show is a remake of the 1970s soap opera Prisoner (called Prisoner: Cell Block H in the UK and US), which was also set in Wentworth Correctional Center.
Wentworth's characters have been described as "grittier, darker and more naturalistic portrayals of women's prison life" than those of Orange Is the New Black. The show has been praised for its diverse range of female characters, including Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack), a housewife-turned-top dog, and Jacs (Kris McQuade), the reigning gangster queen of Wentworth Prison. Nicole da Silva also stands out as a butch reality TV star-turned-inmate.
The show has been called "the best show on television" by some viewers, who have praised its acting as "top-notch". The performances of the cast have been described as exceptional, with one review noting that the boundary-pushing female characters "wouldn't come to life without them".
Wentworth has also been commended for its portrayal of sapphic relationships and trans identities, with one reviewer noting that it is a show for those interested in "lesbians in prison". The show has been compared to Orange Is the New Black in this regard, as both shows strike a balance between humour and serious topics, such as LGBTQIA stereotypes, sexual harassment, and eating disorders. However, Wentworth is considered to be darker and more violent than its American counterpart, with one reviewer noting that the characters of Orange Is the New Black "wouldn't last a day" in Wentworth.
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Wentworth is available to stream on Netflix in the US
The Australian prison drama Wentworth is a remake of the popular show Prisoner: Cell Block H. It is set in Wentworth Correctional Center and follows the story of Bea Smith (played by Danielle Cormack), who is locked up while awaiting trial for the alleged attempted murder of her husband. The show explores the backstories of the prisoners and staff and their relationships and struggles in prison.
While Wentworth was previously available on Netflix in the US, it seems that it has since been removed. As of 2025, users on Reddit were discussing the show's removal from the platform and how they could watch it. Some suggested using a VPN to access the show on Netflix, as it is still available to stream in certain countries, including Australia and Canada.
To watch Wentworth on Netflix using a VPN, you would first need to download a VPN app, such as Super Unlimited Proxy, which is available for free on the App Store or Google Play. After opening the VPN app, you would need to select a server located in a country where Wentworth is available on Netflix. Once connected, you can then open the Netflix app and search for Wentworth, which should now be available to stream.
In addition to using a VPN to watch Wentworth on Netflix, some users have suggested alternative streaming platforms. These include YouTube, Google Play, Roku, and Flixtor. Some users have also mentioned purchasing DVDs of the show or streaming it on pirated websites, although these methods may involve blurring or editing of certain scenes.
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Frequently asked questions
Wentworth is an Australian prison drama show that is similar to Orange Is the New Black.
Wentworth focuses on a group of women living in Australia's most famous correctional facility. The series begins with Bea Smith, who is sentenced for the attempted murder of her abusive husband.
While both shows explore the relationships and struggles of prisoners and staff, Wentworth is considered to be darker and grittier than Orange Is the New Black. It focuses more on the violent and brutal aspects of prison life.
Other prison shows that are similar to Orange Is the New Black include Bad Girls, Prisoner, and GLOW. These shows explore similar themes of female incarceration, relationships between inmates and staff, and LGBTQIA+ representation.
Wentworth is available to stream on Netflix in the United States and on Channel 5's streaming platform, My5.
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