australian television information archive

No Place Like Home

Episode 1.01
Aus: Wed, May 01, 2013 (SoHo, 8:30)
Canada: September 13, 2015 (APTN)
Ratings: 244,000 viewers
Screenplay by Peter McTighe
Story by Lara Radulovich
Directed by Kevin Carlin

Wentworth is a dynamic, often confronting, drama series that begins with Bea’s (Danielle Cormack) early days in prison. Set in the present day, it is a modern adaptation of Prisoner that contemporises legendary characters and their stories for today’s audience. This ten-part series takes the viewer ‘inside’ to an uncompromising environment that explores the politics of women in a world without men, and how such a threatening experience both challenges and often changes those confined and working behind the razor wire.

The audience is introduced to Bea all over again and meets her allies and enemies in the form of iconic inmates: Doreen Anderson (Shareena Clanton), Liz Birdsworth (Celia Ireland), and Franky Doyle (Nicole da Silva). And there are new faces such as Jacs Holt (Kris McQuade), the ruthless matriarch of a crime family that now reigns over Wentworth.

Other favourite characters also return: Meg Jackson (Catherine McClements) carries a shameful secret; Vera Bennett (Kate Atkinson), the well-meaning officer who discovers everyone has a price; Erica Davidson (Leeanna Walsman), the crusading lawyer; and Matthew Fletcher (Aaron Jeffrey) who believes in retribution rather than rehabilitation. And a new face — Meg’s husband Will Jackson (Robbie Magasiva), whose past still haunts him.

Each episode explores an individual character’s back story to show what makes them tick and the circumstances that led them to prison. We discover that the difference between an inmate and a prison officer is sometimes simply geography, because they’re all prisoners in surprisingly different ways. Like the original Prisoner, Wentworth is at its heart, a series about survival, a character drama featuring women living in a pressure cooker environment. Despite the rivalries and power struggles, this family of misfits and rebels is forced to forge unlikely friendships and alliances if they want to survive their time inside.

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In episode one, Bea Smith begins her life as a remand prisoner in Wentworth after being charged with attempted murder of her husband. She is immediately caught up in a battle between Governor Meg Jackson and rising top dog, Franky Doyle.

Siding with Franky unleashes Meg's retribution as she releases the reigning top dog, Jacs Holt, back into the compound to pull Franky back into line. But a confrontation between the two vying crews results in a bloody riot and a fatal stabbing. And it is Bea who is left with blood on her hands.

Starring:

• Danielle Cormack as Bea Smith
• Nicole Da Silva as Franky Doyle
• Kris McQuade as Jacs Holt
• Leeanna Walsman as Erica Davidson
• Kate Atkinson as Vera Bennett
• Celia Ireland as Liz Birdsworth
• Shareena Clanton as Doreen Anderson
• Aaron Jeffery as Matthew Fletcher
• Robbie Magasiva as Will Jackson
• Catherine McClements as Meg Jackson

With:

• Georgia Flood as Debbie Smith
• Katrina Milosevic as Sue "Boomer" Jenkins
• Jada Alberts as Toni Goodes
• Louise Harris as Ronnie Katsis
• Jake Ryan as Harry Smith
• Ra Chapman as Kim Chang
• Scott Parmeter as Chris Bukula
• Hugh Sexton as Craig Norton
• Tanika Fry as Kaiya
• Dinesh Mathew as Prison Doctor
• Clayton Bitaks as Police Officer
• David Cormick as Paramedic
• Sharna Collier Stewart as Sharni Wallace