Wentworth

I was a huge fan of the first season of Wentworth Prison when it was shown on Channel 5 in the UK last year. I thought the series proved to be a great 'standalone' drama with high quality production values, excellent writing and acting. The series at the same time also paid subtle and gracious homage to Prisoner, a special and ground breaking show. Well the second season doesn't disappoint, building on the quality of the first season, and it is mostly down to the clever introduction into the Wentworth mix of one character - Joan Ferguson. Pamela Rabe is simply brilliant as Joan Ferguson - taking on the mantle of one of the most iconic of TV characters and breathing a new 21st century life into her is no easy job, but Rabe achieves it, obviously relishing the opportunity to play such an unusual female character. Rabe's on screen presence, controlled physical stillness and a real glint in the eye hides an obvious wealth of feelings, which comes out in small doses throughout the season, in carefully played scenes where unexpected kindness and sincerity adds real depth to an already complicated individual. The 'new' Joan Ferguson has obvious OCD and abhors physical contact. Her compulsion to control every part of her environment (including her office) her staff and prisoners is wonderfully realised by Rabe, with a series of subtle physical ticks, cold stares and calculating mental games with everyone around her. Great use is made of prison security cameras which become Joan's 'All seeing eye'. Clever adaption of surgical gloves is used as a visual tease (and a wink) in the early episodes of what is to come from Joan later on. The writing, production and cast are universally excellent once again, with particular mention to Nicole da Silva and Danielle Cormack who play Frankie and Bea. As in the first season, the use of slow motion image capture and end sequence music is particularly effective. I for one can't wait for season three.

Every season has been great and it just continues to get better. There are so many holes and unbelievable storylines and I couldn't care less. Sure it's more like a really strict high school than a prison but it's always entertaining. Characters come and go but there's always something new and juicy - highly recommended.

I absolutely loved Wentworth. I don't think I've ever been more surprised by how much I've liked a show quite like this one. Every episode of every season is good. It's addicting. I binged the entire series as quickly as I could and I would dare to bet you would to if you haven't seen it yet. It takes a look at the lives of the women inmates and the staff at Wentworth prison. This show is intense, violent, gritty, intelligent, all of those. It's a pretty if cast and there's not a weak link among them. They all do a fantastic job. I can not recommend this show enough. Give it a chance and I promise you won't be disappointed.

A tense, thrilling and grasping TV series. Very much underrated. I love prison based shows so i was a huge fan of this. It got straight to the point and doesn't disappoint. I cannot wait till its back. I also watch Orange is the new black but this concept is different because its more serious. You cannot compare the two even though both is based around womens prison unit. You do not have to like a certain genre to watch this or be super intelligent, you can simply enjoy it. I'm really upset hardly anyone I know doesn't watch it which is why i had to write this review as to why everyone should! Again like any other show there are characters you love and hate which is awesome I get so attached to them. It is not a typical storyline in an everyday prison is what i loved.

Initial skepticism of trying to remake a classic serial drama like Prisoner was quickly dispelled in the first few minutes of episode 1. This is a completely new take on a long running series from the 1980s with the necessary level of added grit needed in 2013. Whilst employing many of the well known character names; the "new" version has created juicy variations to the originals. Those familiar with the original series should not allow themselves to by put off in the early stages by casting of different types to play the original characters. Ep 1 was edgy, well paced and the acting overall was very good. If Wentworth can maintain the same intensity over its remaining 9 episodes of season 1, it will be a treat to watch. As well as seeing how the initial variation to different main characters develop, perhaps growing into their more familiar traits from the original series as the new series progresses. Clearly this re-make is attempting to tell the background story as to how the likes of Bea Smith, Vera Bennett, Meg Jackson and Frankie Doyle came to be like they were in the original Prisoner series.