Eight years, nine seasons and a cult following later, prison drama Wentworth came to a dramatic end in October.
After its premiere in 2013, the show that is set behind the bars of Wentworth Correctional Centre has become one of the most renowned original Australian dramas of all time. It’s been screened in 173 territories around the world, igniting millions of die-hard fans.
The much-loved Foxtel series showcased the brutal pressure-cooker environment inside a women’s prison, where the inmates are forced to forge unlikely friendships and allegiances if they want to survive their time behind bars.
To celebrate Wentworth‘s time on air, we’ve compiled nine fascinating, little-known facts from behind the bars.
After eight years, nine seasons and a cult following later, prison drama Wentworth came to a dramatic end in October.
(Foxtel)
Catherine McClements’ character Meg had already been killed off months before the first media conference to launch the series, but Catherine came back to meet journalists and (along with the rest of the cast and crew) kept quiet so the surprise of her death would hit hard.
Bea’s prisoner number, 329460, is the same as the one assigned to the original Bea in Prisoner.
Nicole da Silva’s fake tattoos took more than two hours to put on each time.
Producers used two steam-press irons because the machines are so old that if one broke down, there was almost no chance of getting it working again.
(Foxtel)Doreen was one of the few prisoners to have a happy ending and stay out of jail – mainly because Shareena Clanton who played her, turned down offers to come back. She felt it was really important to have the character’s journey end positively and with hope.
The Wentworth producers bought not one but two steam-press irons before production began because the machines are so old and rare that if one broke down, there was almost no chance of getting it working again without using parts from the second.
The Wentworth building in the Melbourne suburb of Newport is a former TAFE.
The four original cast members who made it through from episode one to the end of the series in 2021 were presented with a plaque that read “100 Club”.
Jacquie Brennan, who plays guard Linda Miles, was originally only hired for eight days, with Miles intended to be just a minor character.
It was Nicole da Silva who nicknamed Miles “Smiles”.
Jacquie Brennan, who plays guard Linda Miles, was originally only hired for eight days, with Miles intended to be just a minor character.
(Foxtel)