Omari Gates
Wentworth is an Australian television drama series that first premiered on May 1, 2013. The series is based on the popular 1979 series Prisoner, which was also set in an Australian women's prison. Wentworth has received critical acclaim for its gritty and dark portrayal of prison life, with strong performances and engaging storylines. The show has a strong international fan base, and its debut episode was the most-watched drama premiere in the history of its network, Foxtel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | 1 May 2013 |
| Finale date | 26 October 2021 |
| Number of seasons | 8 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Modern-day Australia |
| Plot | Bea Smith's life when she was charged with the attempted murder of her husband and entered prison |
| Network | SoHo, Fox Showcase, ABC 1, Netflix |
| Popularity | The debut episode in 2013 was the most-watched drama premiere in the history of its network, Foxtel. |
| Critical reception | Positive |
| Comparison with other shows | Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Deadwood, Sons of Anarchy |
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What You'll Learn
Wentworth's critical acclaim
The Australian television drama series Wentworth has received critical acclaim throughout its run. The pilot episode, screened for the media in February 2013, was called "a triumph" by Ben Pobjie from The Age. Pobjie praised the writing and the cast, saying that the show incorporated "well-written characters [that] collide with dead-on casting and tense, atmospheric direction". He added that Wentworth is "a powerful, almost cinematic drama" with its own identity, echoing the original Prisoner series. Holly Byrnes, writing for the Herald Sun, described the show as a "brilliant retelling" that takes "shocking plot detours contemporary TV viewers would expect from award-winning US dramas like Breaking Bad or Sons of Anarchy".
Wentworth has been praised for its intense and gritty depiction of life in a women's prison, with critics drawing favourable comparisons to Orange Is the New Black. Margaret Lyons from New York magazine called it a “ruthlessly dark drama”, a view shared by other critics who noted that the show has more depth and character than Orange Is the New Black. The show's careful plotting, exploration of human nature, morality, and the repercussions of actions have been well-received, as have its complex characters, powerful performances, and engaging storylines. Central themes include power, survival, and the profound impact of incarceration. The Australian setting and accents provide a unique touch, although some viewers initially found them challenging.
The show has also been commended for its consistent quality and ability to captivate audiences over multiple seasons. The first episode attracted 244,000 viewers, making it the most-watched Australian drama series premiere in Foxtel history. The series was picked up by several countries, including New Zealand and the UK, where it is titled Wentworth Prison. Despite its popularity, in 2016, Foxtel considered cancelling the show due to audiences viewing new episodes via pirate websites.
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Popularity in Australia
Wentworth is an Australian television drama series that was first broadcast on SoHo on 1 May 2013 and concluded on 26 October 2021. The series is set in modern-day Australia and explores the life of Bea Smith, a hairdresser convicted of attempting to murder her abusive husband. The show follows her rise in the prison hierarchy and the complex dynamics within the correctional facility.
Wentworth has enjoyed significant popularity in Australia, with the debut episode in 2013 becoming the most-watched drama premiere in the history of its network, Foxtel. The show has received critical acclaim for its intense and gritty portrayal of life in a women's prison, with many praising its complex characters, powerful performances, and engaging storylines. The Australian setting and accents provided a unique touch that resonated with local audiences.
The show's popularity in Australia can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Wentworth is a remake of the wildly successful 1970s Australian soap opera "Prisoner" (known as "Prisoner: Cell Block H" in the UK and US), which holds a special place in the country's cultural history. By reimagining this classic series with a contemporary twist, Wentworth tapped into a sense of nostalgia while also offering something new and exciting.
Another factor contributing to its popularity in Australia is its exploration of uniquely Australian themes and contexts. The show delves into the country's correctional system and the impact of incarceration on individuals and communities. It also showcases Australian talent, both in front of and behind the camera, which has been a source of cultural pride for many Australians.
Wentworth has also sparked discussions and shed light on various social issues prevalent in Australia. The show addresses power dynamics, survival instincts, and the profound impact of incarceration on individuals' lives. It explores human nature, morality, and the repercussions of actions within the prison system. These themes have resonated with Australian audiences and contributed to the show's popularity.
In addition to its critical acclaim and cultural impact, Wentworth has also faced some challenges in maintaining its popularity in Australia. In 2016, it was reported that Foxtel considered cancelling the show due to declining ratings and the issue of audiences viewing new episodes via pirate websites. However, the show continued to air, and efforts were made to combat piracy and engage loyal viewers.
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Comparisons to Orange is the New Black
The Australian television drama series Wentworth is often compared to Orange Is the New Black (OITNB). Both shows are set in women's prisons and have been praised for their portrayal of life behind bars. However, there are several differences between the two.
Wentworth is known for its gritty and realistic portrayal of prison life, with some viewers finding the Australian accents and setting a unique touch. The show has been described as ""ruthlessly dark", "tragic", and "gripping", with well-developed characters and powerful performances. On the other hand, OITNB has been called "entertaining", ""funny", and "uplifting", with a more light-hearted and comedic tone.
In terms of character development, Wentworth focuses on a handful of central characters, while OITNB spreads the spotlight among several inmates, focusing on a different pre-prisoner character each episode. Both shows feature complex characters with their flaws and strengths, but Wentworth's characters have been described as having more depth.
Both shows also have similar plot points, including behind-bars pregnancies, murders, and riots. However, Wentworth has been praised for its consistent tone and clever writing, while OITNB has struggled with its identity as a black comedy-drama.
Overall, while both shows have their strengths and fan bases, some viewers prefer Wentworth for its grittier and more realistic portrayal of prison life, while others enjoy OITNB for its lighter and more comedic moments.
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Broadcasting and availability
The Australian television drama series Wentworth was first broadcast on SoHo on 1 May 2013. The show concluded on Fox Showcase with its 100th episode on 26 October 2021. The series serves as a contemporary reimagining of Prisoner, which ran on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986.
In Australia, Foxtel Now provides a catch-up service for Wentworth. The series is also available for catch-up viewing via TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand and My5 in the United Kingdom for a limited time following the initial broadcast. As of 2021, all eight seasons are available to stream in the UK on Amazon Prime Video and My5, which holds the unlimited streaming rights until 2023.
In the United States, Wentworth premiered on Netflix in December 2014, with seasons one and two added to its streaming service. Subsequent seasons were also released on Netflix in the US, with season 8 part 2 released in October 2021. In Canada, the first two seasons were broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network in late 2015.
In the United Kingdom, Wentworth Prison was shown on Channel 5. The first season premiered on 28 August 2013, with the second season beginning on 3 September 2014. The third season, which commenced broadcast on 22 July 2015, concluded with a two-hour finale on 30 September 2015. Due to declining ratings, the series was moved from Channel 5 to its sister channel 5Star for season 5, which premiered on 23 May 2017. The sixth season premiered on 5Star on 23 June 2018, with the seventh season airing in the same timeslot on 8 June 2019.
In the Republic of Ireland, Wentworth premiered on TV3 in June 2014, with the second season airing in January 2015.
In Australia and the United Kingdom, multiple season sets of Wentworth are available on DVD and Blu-ray. In the United States, the first three seasons have been released on DVD via Acorn Media.
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Character arcs and plot developments
The Australian television drama series Wentworth is a reboot of the 1980s Australian cult classic, Prisoner: Cell Block H. It shares and twists many of the latter's characters and storylines, focusing on Bea Smith's early days in prison and her subsequent rise to the top of the prison's hierarchy.
The show is acclaimed for its intense and gritty depiction of life in a women's prison, and its exploration of human nature, morality, and the repercussions of actions. It has also received praise for its complex characters, powerful performances, and engaging storylines.
One of the central characters in Wentworth is Bea Smith, played by Danielle Cormack. Bea is a new prisoner at Wentworth prison, and the show follows her as she navigates the challenges of prison life and deals with her crumbling family outside. Over the course of the series, Bea's character develops from a vulnerable new inmate to a powerful figure within the prison hierarchy. She also has a romantic arc with Allie, which ends with Bea's death in the fourth season.
Another important character is Franky Doyle, who is described as a "Broken Bird". Franky's character arc involves her facing threats from other inmates, including Iman, who pretends to be a defenseless victim but is actually a stalker seeking revenge.
The show also features a dynamic between Erica, Franky, and Liz. Erica's pent-up feelings for Franky cause problems in her relationship with her fiancé, Liz, who lashes out when another inmate, Doreen, is offered a job.
While the show has received mostly positive reviews, certain character arcs and plot developments have drawn criticism. Some viewers have found the Australian setting and accents challenging, and there have been accusations of perpetuating stereotypes with the portrayal of certain characters. Despite this, Wentworth is lauded for its depth, emotional resonance, and strong ensemble cast.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Wentworth is a popular show in Australia. The debut episode in 2013 was the most-watched drama premiere in the history of its network, Foxtel.
Wentworth is an Australian television drama series set in modern-day Australia. It explores the life of Bea Smith, a hairdresser convicted of attempting to murder her abusive husband, as she navigates the prison hierarchy.
The show is known for its intense and gritty depiction of life in a women's prison, with powerful performances and engaging storylines. It also features complex characters and explores themes such as power, survival, and the impact of incarceration.
There are 8 seasons of Wentworth. The first season premiered on May 1, 2013, and the final episode aired on October 26, 2021.
Wentworth is available to watch on Netflix in the United States and Australia. It is also broadcast on various television networks, such as Channel 5 in the UK and ABC 1 in Australia.
