Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by Kari
Have you ever watched Wentworth? It was first recommended to me years ago while I was at the dentist. We were talking about Orange Is The New Black and my hygenist mentioned that she felt Wentworth was even better than that show. I quickly binged watched it, and since then, it’s been one of those shows that I watch over and over again. Every time I watch it, I’m reminded of why I love it so much.
The premise of Wentworth is simple: a female prison drama set in Australia. It first follows the story of Bea Smith, an inmate who is sent to Wentworth Correctional Center after trying to kill her husband. She quickly finds herself at the center of numerous conflicts between the inmates and the story sets off with the inmates and staff dealing with issues inside and out of the prison.
9 Reasons I Love Wentworth So Much
1. The Governor – Joan Ferguson
I like all the characters, but If you haven’t seen Wentworth yet, then you’re missing out on one of the best television villains ever – Governor Joan Ferguson.
She is ruthless and calculating, but also really human in her struggles with her inner demons. The first season of Wentworth is good, but when Joan Ferguson comes in during the second season, the show goes up about 10 notches.
She has many great scenes, but one of the best scenes with her is when she saves Doreen’s baby from a crazy inmate. It’s a great moment that shows you both the powerful and human side of Joan Ferguson.
2. Every Character Is Well Thought Out
The writers of Wentworth did a really great job at creating interesting and incredibly deep characters. While Joan Ferguson is my favorite, there are so many other equally fascinating characters like Bea Smith, Franky Doyle, Kaz Proctor, and more.
Each character has his or her own story to tell and they all come together in interesting and unexpected ways.
Every season new characters come in and they add depth to an already interesting and full-of-depth show.
3. The Guards Are Usually Professional Despite What’s Going On
One of the things that I love about Wentworth is how professional the guards are despite all the craziness going on in the prison. They’re constantly dealing with inmates who don’t want to follow rules, and their own problems on top of it, and yet they continue to do their job as best they can. There are some moments where they lose it – and there are some somewhat corrupt guards and guards who make serious mistakes with the prisoners – but for the most part, they are there to keep the prison under control.
4. The Plot Twists Keep You On The Edge Of Your Seat
The writers of Wentworth loved to throw in unexpected plot twists that keep you on your toes and make you want more. Every episode is filled with intrigue and suspense, so you never know what’s going to happen next. It makes for an incredibly entertaining viewing experience.
5. The Strong Female Leads
The show is full of strong female leads who are not afraid to put their own twist on the prison system. Bea Smith, Joan Ferguson, and Franky Doyle are all great examples of this. They all fight their own battles and inspire us to be brave even in tough situations to fight our own battles.
6. Vera Bennett
One of the things I love most about Wentworth is how Vera Bennett, who eventually becomes governor of the prison, uses her position to benefit the inmates and make their lives easier.
Her character is full of depth. She’s compassionate, driven, and enjoys her job at Wentworth.
She doesn’t always agree with the other guards but she stands firm in her convictions and fights for what she believes is right. It’s really inspiring to watch her stand up for justice and equality. And her devotion to her job is inspiring.
7. The Fact That They Don’t Make Prison Look Fun
While there are some moments in Wentworth where the women are having fun, the majority of the show is based on the struggles that the women have in prison. It’s apparent that most of the women would rather be on the outside.
The few women we see released throughout the series are always incredibly grateful for the chance to start life anew. This shows us that prison isn’t a place anyone wants to be, which I think is more realistic than some shows that make prison look like a party or sleepover.
8. The Amount Of Story They Fit Into Every Episode
At 45 minutes long, each episode of Wentworth packs a lot of story into one show. There’s always something exciting going on and you never know what’s going to happen next. You’ll keep coming back for more week after week, wondering what twists and turns the women will have to face in order to survive the prison system.
9. Rita Conners
Even though there were a lot of great characters throughout the seasons in Wentworth, I would say when Rita Conners comes in during the sixth season as a prisoner, she stands out to me.
It’s her strength of character that helps her to succeed in prison. She stands up for the underdog and fights against an oppressive system. And she’s strong – both mentally and physically. Her story is very interesting and her character has a lot of depth.
I could go on and on about the things I love in Wentworth. Jacs, Liz, Boomer, Maxine, Lou, Marie, Allie, are just a few of the characters that I didn’t mention but are what make the show what it is. If you haven’t watched Wentworth yet, I highly recommend it.
