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Bad Girls (TV series) Part 1
« Thread Started on Sept 27, 2006, 3:35pm »

Bad Girls (TV series)

Bad Girls

Format Drama
Run time 60 minutes

Creator(s) Maureen Chadwick,
Ann McManus

Starring A sizable list of regulars
Channel ITV1

Production company Shed Productions

Airdates June 1, 1999 – Present

No. of series 8th series currently airing

No. of episodes 104 (as of 31/08/06)

IMDb profile

Bad Girls is a British television drama series shown on ITV1 and produced by Shed productions, the company which later produced Footballers' Wives. It is set in the fictional women's prison of Larkhall, and features a mixture of serious and light storylines focusing on the prisoners and staff of G Wing.

Series

The first series of Bad Girls was shown on ITV1 in 1999, lasting 10 episodes. There have been eight series in total, ranging from 10 to 16 episodes. A Christmas special was produced in 2005. All series have been shown on ITV1, at 9pm, the day has varied between Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The series is also shown on BBC America in the USA and in Australia on UK.TV.

Series 8 began at 9pm on Thursday 13th July 2006 and the 100th episode was shown on Thursday 3rd August 2006 at 9pm.

Many rumours regarding the axeing of Bad Girls have been heard lately, fuelled by a leaked email from ITV's controller of drama, but bosses insist that no decision has yet been made as to whether an ninth series is commisioned. Either way, any plans should be announced soon. However, the rumours stated a decline in ratings as the cause of the show's axeing; this seems unlikely since the final episode received 4.2 million viewers, a 22% audience share in its timeslot, beating its closest rival Extras on BBC2 to become the most watched show at 9pm accross the channels. These figures are also fairly representative of the rest of the eight series. Also, the final episode of the eighth series left a number of cliffhangers.

A second annual Christmas special will air during the festive period of 2006. These episodes are usually more light hearted than the rest of the series.

Plot description

Series 1

From the beginning, Bad Girls has dealt with controversial subject matter. Early episodes of the first series have included particularly shocking moments, such as a pregnant prisoner miscarrying in her cell, another prisoner being viciously strip-searched by fellow inmates for concealed drugs and another inmate committing suicide. The central story arc of the first three series revolves around the developing romantic relationship between Nikki Wade, a prisoner serving life for murder, and Helen Stewart, the Wing Governor who spent much of series one engaged to her boyfriend. The story featured more than one kiss, and one bed scene, but never became graphic: many viewers regarded the subtlety of the portrayal of the relationship as one of its strongest assets. For this reason, Bad Girls has attracted a significant following within the lesbian community.

Other storylines to feature prominently in series one included the pregnancy of a young drug addict Zandra Plackett, the tragic story of teenage prisoner Rachel Hicks and her bullying by the other inmates, and the illicit relationship between Jim Fenner, the male senior officer and Shell Dockley, the resident bully and drug dealer, serving life for murder.

This series has a different theme tune to the rest of the show. Plus if you see at the bottom of the credits of any Series 1 episode it says Copyright (Jailbirds) MCMXCIX.

Series 2

Nikki and Helen's relationship deepens with Helen resigning from the Wing Governor's post and working as a new liaison officer for prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, encouraging Nikki to continue her education and appeal against her sentence. Shell's background was examined in some detail, with harrowing scenes describing childhood abuse. As for Zandra's tragic story finally comes to a close when she dies from a brain tumor. For light relief, hooch was brewed in a watering can and Yvonne Atkins, the gangster's moll, set up "Babes Behind Bars", a sex-hotline staffed by the prisoners with smuggled in mobile phones, playing such characters as "Whiplash Wanda", "Saucy Sonia" and "Vicky the virgin bride". Series two ended on a double cliffhanger, with Nikki escaping from Larkhall to be with Helen, leaving Helen to agonise over whether to contact the police, and Shell luring Fenner to her cell for sex, where she tries to kill him by stabbing him with a broken bottle.

Series 3

This series picks up from where we left off from the end of Series 2. Jim and Shell are in bed together and Nikki, dressed in her nurse's outfit, is at Helen's house after escaping. Shell stabs Jim with a broken bottle that she had brought back from Sylvia's party.

The third series saw a high turnover of short-term characters and storylines, but also chronicled the spectacular escape of Shell and young Denny Blood to the Costa Del Sol in Spain, Yvonne's top dog status being challenged by Maxi Purvis, the head of the "Peckham Boot Gang", prison officer Di Barker's struggles as a home carer for her invalid mother and an upbeat finale of Helen and Nikki finally committing to their relationship together when Nikki's appeal was successful and she was released from prison.

As of this series, every episode now has a title sequence lasting of only 20-30 seconds. Episodes 1 and 5 have previously parts. Although this may only occur on the DVD.

Series 4

From series four onwards, the storylines got darker and more fast-paced, but began to become more over-the-top, such as Jim Fenner being sexually harassed by the new gay Governing Governor, Neil Grayling. However, some more serious storylines included domestic violence within the relationship of Di Barker and Barry Pearce and teenage junkie Buki Lester's battle for the right to see her disabled son, Lennox. The fourth series ended with the prison library being obliterated as part of an escape plan by the devious Snowball Merriman, resulting in a fire that left Governor Grayling and several inmates trapped and fighting for their lives.

As of this series, every episode of every series has a Previously and Next Time at the beginning and end.

Series 5

The fifth series of Bad Girls took viewers to a dark, disturbing place, with numerous deaths, but some balance was provided by the brief return of Shell Dockley to G-Wing and the arrival of the Costa Cons - Bev Tull and Phyl Oswyn. The ongoing feud between warder Jim Fenner with his enemies - Wing Governor Karen Betts and top dog Yvonne Atkins - also reached its height by the end of series five, with evil appearing to triumph over good, as Fenner ruthlessly disposes of both Karen by framing her for a hit and run, and then Yvonne in a shocking end-of-series finale in which he leaves her to die in Larkhall's old hanging cell. Series five in many ways marks the end of an era for Bad Girls with several long-term prisoners and one prison officer making their last appearances in this series. They are (in alphabetical order);

Yvonne Atkins (Death), Karen Betts (Fired), Denny Blood (Released), Shell Dockley (Shipped out), Barbara (Babs) Hunt (Released) Snowball Merriman (Suicide) and Buki Lester (Released)

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Re: Bad Girls (TV series) Part 2
« Reply #1 on Sept 27, 2006, 3:38pm »

Series 6

Series six continued the Fenner storyline, with the evil officer experiencing a mental breakdown after recent events and getting his come-uppance at the hands of Karen Betts and Neil Grayling, who join forces to finally defeat Fenner for good. Some dynamic additions to the cast were also made - in the form of sassy Wing Governor Frances Myers and amoral prisoner Natalie Buxton - to take the series in a new direction. The sixth series also features a crossover with Shed Productions' other hit series, Footballers' Wives, with the glamorous Tanya Turner imprisoned at Larkhall for three episodes. Karen Betts re-appears for a few episodes in this series. Also, Meera Syal from The Kumars at No. 42 and Goodness Gracious Me guest stars in this series. This series also saw the relationship between Selena Geeson and Kris Yates.

Series 7

Fenner is now in prison, but due to the devotedness of new wife Di, the lucky prison officer was allowed to see daylight again, and to be working back at G-Wing. But it's not long before everyone at Larkhall wants Fenner dead, and he is brutally stabbed in the bowels of the prison with a sharpened ice dagger. The increasingly mentally unstable Julie Johnston later reveals that she committed the crime to exact vengeance against him for all his past crimes, though it is Fenner's widow (Di Barker) who is arrested, charged and remanded in custody for the offence. Meanwhile, Natalie Buxton has taken over as G-Wing's new top dog and rules the women with a rod of iron, only to be challenged by newcomer Pat Kerrigan. More humorous storylines included officer Sylvia Hollamby's inheritance from her late aunt and her subsequent marriage to grasping Dr. Malcolm Nicholson, out to get his hands on her new fortune, and the Costa Cons escaping from Larkhall and returning to their old stamping ground in Spain. With the departure of Fenner, Sylvia Hollamby remains the only officer to have been in the show since the start of the first series, while the two Julies are the only original prisoners still on G-wing.

Series 8

Season 8 Summary: The eight series of the highly successful and popular women's prison drama continues in spectacular fashion. Amongst the darker storylines of this series are the arrival on G-Wing of the wife of a suspected terrorist and, most notably, the hatred between Natalie Buxton and Pat Kerrigan stepping up a level. To balance these sombre stories, light comedy is, as ever, present, and humorous hapennings from this series include Phyl discovering that the new doctor is working undercover to film a women in prison documentary, and the arrival of an inmate who regularly snaps and unknowingly takes on the identity of her manipulative boyfriend.
This series in particular has seen several new characters arrive on G-Wing to feature in just one or two episodes, before their storyline is concluded with a release from Larkhall to either another prison or the outside world. Wing Governor Neil Grayling is killed off at the start of the series to make way for Lou Stoke, his stylish replacement played by a superb Amanda Donohoe. It wouldn't be Bad Girls if there weren't affairs taking place all through Larkhall, and in this series Lou and new doctor Rowan (Colin Salmon) share an instant attraction, and Janine Nebesky falls for new prison officer Donny Kimber (Sid Owen). As ever, the combination of light and dark stories, loveable and hated characters and meomorable moments makes the show something of a masterpiece - and this series is quite possibly the best yet. A decision will be taken on whether to produce a ninth series when this one has concluded.

In Episode 1: New deputy governor Lou Stoke (Amanda Donohoe) arrives at Larkhall but Joy Masterson is stone-faced as ever when discovering that Stoke is rather worse for wear after a boozy night. Emira Al Jahani, wife of a suspected terrorist, arrives on the wing and Donny Kimber, a new 'screw' is assigned the task of being her personal officer. Natalia Buxton bullies Al Jahani into concocting crystal meth but the Julies see her doing so and assume that it is the poison ricin she is making, as a recent outbreak of a then-unknown poisonous substance on the wing had led to the deaths of both Ashlee, Natalie's partner in crime who is assigned a small speaking part, and wing governor Neil Grayling.
The prison officers panic at hearing Grayling is dead and all escape the building, leaving the prisoners to run free - only there is armed police waiting outside. New prison doctor Rowan (Colin Salmon) diagnoses the deaths as down to Legionnaires’ disease. On running outside with the other prisoners, Phyl decides to make a run for it, only to be shot in the back during a slow-motion sequence that dramatically concludes the episode.

In Episode 2: Phyl is in the prison hospital and in a bid not to have to return to G-Wing, she acts as though she is traumatised and paranoid. Dr Rowan sees right through the act but has no choice other than to let Phyl be transferred to a luxurious spa, as she discovers a dictophone in his office containing details of a secret undercover-in-prison TV series entitled 'Women Inside' - the real reason as to Dr Rowan's mysterious transfer down the medical ladder to Larkhall.
Janine Nebesky hears from her father that her mother has died - and he is blaming Janine. When her dad has calmed down, he tells Lou that Janine can come to the funeral if she is allowed, so Lou arranges an accompanied visit to the church where it is to be held. However, Natalie over hears the arrangements and decides to the make the most of a prisoners' visit out into the real world; she bullies Janine into smuggling drugs back into Larkhall on her return, by wearing a pair of oversized shoes which she will swap for a pair stuffed full of drugs with an anonymous stranger at the funeral. All goes to plan, only the shoes are too big, and after having made a touching speech about her mother, and her father having forgiven her, she trips in the shoes and the powders and pills are discovered, to Janine's horror.

Sharp as a blade, Pat Kerrigan, Janine's arch-rival and the true top dog, realises what Natalie was up to and that Janine was innocent all along. She chooses not to inform Lou - instead she quite literally gives Natalie a taste of her own medicine, forcing a handful of pills down her throat - and making her swallow every last one, as the episode draws to its close.

In Episode 3: Feeling rough after having swallowed all of the drugs, although remarkably still alive, Natalie is plotting her revenge on Pat. New inmate Angela Robbins arrives in Larkhall and Natalie wastes no time in informing Angela that Pat is a d**e. Later, upstairs and out of sight, Angela loses her sweet-old-lady image and starts a fight with Pat, seemingly for no reason. Nobody suspects Angela could be capable of starting a fight and so Pat is put on report, and Natalie is briefly content with the revenge she has managed to stir up for Kerrigan. Angela later attacks Bev Tull, her roommate, when Bev makes the most of having an ex-cleaner roommate and asks Angela to do her ironing.
Having lost her temper twice Angela has still not been discovered. However, when walking with Lou to the doctor's office, she attacks her too, before licking her face, and Lou realises Angela is not all she seems - she is determined for Angela to be transferred to another prison. Dr Rowan is unphased though, and sets about getting to the root of the problem. He too encounters Angela's nasty temper and uses hypnosis to get to the bottom of the situation. Dr Rowan eventually diagnoses Angela as a sufferer of Dissociative Identity Disorder, as during her mood swings, she takes the identity of, and believes that she is, her abusive boyfriend Andy. After making the diagnosis, Rowan concedes that Angela should be transferred to anoter prison.

Meanwhile, Donny, who is acting undercover for the police as Amira's personal officer sets up a private chat for her with the Imam. Unknown to her, however, microphones are concealed beneath the desk at which she is sat and the game is given away when one begins to malfunction and squeal uncontrollably. Al Jahani is furious that she was tricked, but does agree to take the police to the location of her boyfriend's hiding place, a cafe. Once there, she manages to talk a confession out of her boyfriend who gives himself up to the police. Later, Emira is told she is free to leave Larkhall, and does so after warning Janine that Donny is not to be trusted.

In Episode 4: Scheming Natalie is making the most of the fact that she has a considerable supply of drugs, and so manages to get a depressed Janini hooked. Darlene notices and tips off Janine's personal officer Donny in an attempt to flirt. Lou puts Janine's name down for a drugs rehabilitation course but Nebesky is unsure about it - she simply feels she has nothing to live for since abandonment by her family, and her mother's death. Her passion for Donny is ever-present though, and so she attends the sessions on his request.
Stella Gough is another new inmate at Larkhall; she immediately impresses Joy by expressing an interest in joining the army upon her release. Though Joy does not realise, Stella has done her research and knows that Joy is her mother, hence the reason for her request of a transfer to Larkhall. The following day, Stella and Joy, as well as Darlene and Tina embark on an early-morning army training session in the gym. Tina and Darlene quickly fall behind but Joy is again impressed by Stella's abilities and lets her attempt the high climbing ropes - but to her horror, Stella falls whilst trying to impress Joy and ends up in the hospital unit.

Having had an evening of romance with Lou in the previous episode, Dr Rowan is all-smiles, but Lou doesn't seem interested in either a commitment or another date, much to the doctor's disappointment. But the real reason for Lou's lack of commitment is that she is worried about a mystery girl called Vicky. A contact of Lou's meets her for lunch in the high street and she tells Lou that Vicky is at a lap dancing club. Later that evening, Lou goes to the club and discovers Vicky is prostituting herself in the members area upstairs. The sisters embark on a catfight and Rowan, who has followed Lou to the club, witnesses it all. Now he knows why Lou has been making regular visits to the club.

In Episode 5: Stella has revealed to Joy that she is her daughter; Joy does not give the happy reaction that Stella wants, though, and leaves Stella crying and distraught in the hospital bed. Out of rage, Joy arranges for Stella to be transferred to another prison, though Lou overrules her decision on the grounds that Gough has done nothing wrong. Joy is amazed and angered by the fact that Lou has overruled her, but Lou is unphased and sets about finding out why Joy is so determined for Stella to be moved, and why Stella is so desperate for a chat with Masterson. Eventually Stella admits to Lou that she is Joy's daughter and was given up for adoption years ago. Now Lou understands why Stella is determined not to leave Larkhall, and confronts Joy about the situation, only to find her boozing on the job. Lou promises to keep quiet about it so long as Joy will get the police to drop the charges against Janine.
Natalie saw a friend and her little girl in the visiting session. However, prison officer Mandy had failed to search the little girl stringently before the visit, and so nobody has any idea that she is being used to smuggle in drugs for Natalie, whose friend takes the little girl to the toilet. There, she puts her hand up the girl's skirt and takes out a packet of pills. When back in the visiting room, she slyly hands Natalie the drugs. Pat is watching carefully, though, and suspects Natalie is up to something when she sees that the little girl has a patch of blood on her dress. Determind to make Buxton pay, Pat and the Julies set up a plan - un beknown to a suspicious Natalie, its a trick which she falls right into; when Natalie beats up Julie S she is told that Pat plans to escape from the prison in a binbag, an idea Natalie makes clear will be happening for HER, not Pat. Buxton isn't sharp enough to realise it was all a trick; the Julies will tip off the prison about Natalie's attempted escape and she will receive extra time on her sentence for attempted escape.

Later, in a room alone with Stella, Joy admits that she lied on the adoption file and wasn't raped - instead she didn't want to give up a promising career in the army and so gave up her daughter instead. Stella is furious and later pulls a knife on Joy - it's only thanks to Mandy's intervention that Joy isn't killed. Stella is later shipped out of Larkhall and, as she leaves, tells Lou that she isn't upset about Joy not being there to see her off. Lou knows otherwise though. Later that night, Lou takes Rowan back to her apartment for a pizza, but there is an unexpected knock on the door. Vicky stumbles in, foaming at the mouth from a drug overdose. As the episode finishes, Rowan tends to Vicky as Lou cries in despair.

In Episode 6: At the start of the episode we learn, during a conversation between Lou and Vicky, that Lou persuaded her sister to have an abortion as she did not want to commit to looking after the baby. Vicky then reveals to a stunned Lou that because of this, she cannot have children. The two make up, but then when Rowan is giving Vicky a lift later she tries to kiss him.
Julie Saunders' son is visiting the prison for the wedding blessing but his fiance Fidelity is having trouble with her parents; they are refusing to attend because of David's mother being an inmate at Larkhall. After waiting as long as possible, the service eventually has to take place without Fidelity's parents present. However, Julie J later over heards David's fiance telling her friend that there's no way Julie S will be a part of the baby's life when she is released from prison. Later when Fidelity accuses Julie S of stealing her limelight by announcing to her son that she has had treatment for cancer, Julie J chooses the moment to tell everybody what she heard Fidelity saying to her friend.

David is horrified and during the row which follows, Natalie Buxton, who with Pat is serving drinks to the guests, seizes her chance to sneak out to the bins as part of her escape plan, using the excuse that she needs to take the rubbish out. Pat isn't going to let Buxton escape and quickly follows her, only to find when she gets to the bins that Natalie is nowhere to be seen. Buxton, knowing that she would be followed, has hidden and suddenly lurches on Pat and a fight erupts. Natalie has Pat on the floor and is going to do her some serious damage, so Pat does the only thing she can to escape her clutches; with her free hand she reaches a loose brick and smacks it over Natalie's head. She slumps to the floor and the episode ends with a view of Pat smiling in her cell, as the camera fast-zooms to the bin shelter, where Natalie's bruised corps in resting against the wall.

In Episode 7: The inamtes gather around the TV to watch the news, which is claiming Buxton has escaped and is nowhere to be seen. The inmates are all glad that she is no longer around to bully them, even if she does deserve to spend her life in Larkhall. Pat volunteers to help in the kitchens and takes her chance to move Natalie's body temporarily into the freezer. She has to tell the Julies the truth, however, when they stumble accross the corpse later that day. Pat and the Julies move Natalie's body to the laundry room and store it in an empty tumble dryer, before hastily sticking an 'Out of Service' notice on the door - a risky temporary measure.
Upon hearing that she has received a strict judge for her hearing, Tina dresses in a miniscule dress and applies a huge dose of make-up to try and be sent back down. The judge, however, tells Tina she is free to go, much to her sadness. Hollamby accompanies Tina to the hostel where she has been given a room, and bids her goodbye, but Tina is fairly distraught, as she knows nobody on the outside and the hostel is full of tough, violent women. Later, Hollamby is woken up in bed by the sound of an intruder; at the window she sees Tina sleeping in her yard and has no choice but to give her a room for the night. In the mornings Tina attempts to sweeten Sylvia by making her breakfast in bed, but Hollamby refuses to let her stay, instead encouraging Tina to find a social activity, giving her line dancing classes as an example.

Tina takes the advice too literally and Hollamby is non too pleased when the former inmate shows up at her line dancing class. She furiously accompanies O'Kane to the bank to pay for a train ticket to Aberdeen, so she can stay with her granny. However, Tina shocks everyone when she pulls out a fake gun she has stolen from the line dancing class, and announces a stick up. Everybody present falls to the floor but the pressure is all too much for one man, who suffers a heart attack at the scene. The police are called and arrive to arrest Tina, who is whailing with tears at the realisation of killing an innocent man.

Back in Larkhall, Phyl and Bev decide not to risk smuggling in the alcoholic fruit anymore, and instead they blackmail Rowan for more drugs. However, he tells Lou all about his secret documentary, and she takes pity on him, and refuses to accept his resignation. Instead, she makes it clear to the Costas that the blackmail wont work as she already knows about, and is fine with, Rowan's documentary. Later in his office, she finds his dictophone and plays it back. She is intrigued when his commentary on Phyl is cut short by a phone call; it is Rowan's wife on the phone, and it is clear to Lou that the two are very much still in love.

In Episode 8: It is the day of Tina's return to Larkhall after inducing a man's heart attack. Although she had wanted so desperately come back, the circumstances have now changed and she is sickened by her actions. In her cell, she bangs her head violently against the wall until she bleeds. She is then taken to the ward for mental assessment. Tina later hears that the wife of the man who she killed at the bank would like to speak to her. She is terrified but reluctantly agrees to let the lady visit her. The widowed Mrs Fisk surprises Tina with her confession that she fed her husband a hugely fatty diet so as to try and give him a heart attack, in return for all the years of bullying she had received from him - O'Kane's actions at the bank merely accelerated what was bound to happen sometime soon anyway. Tina's conscience is eased and she returns to G-Wing a happy woman.
Lou makes it clear to Rowan that she is not impressed by the phone conversation she witnessed on his dictophone. The doctor's clever response, however, is to tell a gullable Lou that his wife suffers depression and that he must play along to her delusions, even if that means pretending he is still in love with her. He is sure his lies are believed until, at home that evening, he returns to find Vicky drinking tea in the lounge with his wife Hannah. Hannah leaves the room for a nap, and Vicky tells Rowan she knows all about him; that he and his wife have undergone IVF treatment and that she is now pregnant. Rowan doesn't want Lou to find out, as if she does that'll be the end of his secret documentary as well as any plans to return to his high-flying job in a plush private surgery, and knows that his only option is to give Vicky the drugs she is hooked on.

Meanwhile, Lou has employed Vicky as a teacher of music at Larkhall. Her first lesson is very successful amongst the inmates, and a 'Prison Idol' competition is held in the classroom. Bev and Phyl sing a hilarious rendition of 'Sex Bomb' whilst Tina's fun version of 'I Will Survive' wins the majority vote. However, Vicky is in no mood for joining in with the laughter when Lou refuses to hear the suspicions she is voicing about Rowan's intentions. Pat knows Natalie's corpse will soon be discovered in the laundry room, and discovers a hidden manhole in a corner of the room. With the Julies' help she shoves Natalie's rotting body down the hole and into the sewer's below, whilst uttering the immortal words 'Rest in nuts, pregnant dog'.

The final episode of Series 8 aired on Thursday 14th of September 2006. It will then return at Christmas. After the final episode, ITV are to decide whether to commission Bad Girls for another series.
It has been heavily suggested within the media, that ITV will not commission a new series, bringing Bad Girls to an end.

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Re: Bad Girls (TV series) Part 3
« Reply #2 on Sept 27, 2006, 3:41pm »

Characters

Officers

Rowan Dunlop is played by Colin Salmon (Wing Doctor - on leave -Series 8-)

Rowan is a kind-hearted man who transferred to a position at Larkhall as the prison doctor with the intention of recoring an undercover-in-prison scandal-type TV series. Instead, though, he falls for Lou and stays at Larkhall in hope of a relationship with her. He is still married with a child on the way, and Lou's sister threatens to (and eventually) tell her this. He was last seen in the hospital after Lou beated him up when he gave her sister drugs that almost killed her.

Mandy Goodhue is played by Angela Bruce (Prison Officer - Series 8-)

She is black and a lesbian, although forms an unlikely friendship with Sylvia, despite Hollamby being both racist and homophobic. Mandy is both kind and good at her job. Natalie Buxton goes missing on her shift, and for a while it seemed like she might lose her job.

Sylvia Hollamby is played by Helen Fraser (Acting Governer of G-Wing (as of series 8 episode 9) - Series 1-)
The only officer still to be at HMP Larkhall since the beginning of the show and the wife, later the widow, of an undertaker. Hollamby is disliked by the prisoners and she is given the nickname Bodybag. Sylvia has had a number of problems owing to working at the prison, firstly she was pushed down a flight of stairs (which was a plot involving the two Julies and other prisoners). Then her wedding anniversary present was stolen by Crystal Gordon and given to a charity shop. And most horrific of all, when Shell and Denny escaped they paid a visit to Sylvia's home; after tormenting both the prison officer and her husband, Bobby, Shell locked Bobby in a coffin and set alight to it while handcuffing Sylvia to the garage door. Luckily the police arrived to save her and Bobby. But Sylvia has had personal troubles as well, when Bobby's business failed and they were left in debt. Bobby applied for a PO's job at the prison but was unsuccessful and finally the arrival of Shell (his tormentor) who was recently recaptured in Amsterdam led to Bobby committing suicide in the prison car park and leaving Sylvia alone. Eventually Sylvia inherited her Aunt's house and her money, which led to gold-digging prison doctor Dr Nicholson becoming husband No.2; but unbeknownst to the doctor, according to a clause in her aunt's will, Sylvia would not inherit were she to marry. When Sylvia told Dr Nicholson that now they were married she had lost the money, Dr Nicholson tried to kill her. It so happened that they were at this time on honeymoon in Spain. Two Larkhall Prison inmates, Phyl Oswyn and Bev Tull, nicknamed the "Costa Cons" had escaped Larkhall and were in the hotel room next to Sylvia's. When Phyl heard Sylvia scream the Costa Cons broke into Sylvia's room and Phyl shot Dr Nicholson dead (calling him a "loathsome little man"). Sylvia was very grateful to the Costa Cons for saving her life. But if Sylvia hadn't suffered enough, her son Bobby Darren turns out to be gay and in a relationship with (Prison and later demoted to G-Wing Governor) Neil Grayling. At the end of season 8 she becoms acting wing governer after lou Stokes resignation.

Donny Kimber is played by Sid Owen (Prison Officer - Series 8-)

A new prison officer on G-Wing, he also acted as a police liaison officer providing information on the case of Emira Al Jahani. He is also having a secret relationship of sorts with Janine Nebesky, although worries about being discovered as this is strictly against the rules. On a day out with Janine, he gets her pregnant and is found out in the last episode by Joy.

Joy Masterton is played by Ellie Haddington (Grade 1 Governor - Series 7-)
Took over from Neil Grayling after he was demoted to wing governor. Joy is a no-nonsense former army sergeant who rarely smiles and is determined for the inmates to pay for their crime, rather than help them change into better people. Her daughter Stella arrives at Larkhall, bringing back memories of when Joy gave her up for adoption. She becomes a heavy drinker after this, and this continues for most of the rest of the series.

Lou Stoke is played by Amanda Donohoe ( Former Deputy Govenor & Former G-Wing Governor - Series 8-)

Lou has a different approach to that of Joy, preffering to help the inmates understand their crime and become better people. She was originally appointed as deputy governor, but took on the full time job as governor when Neil Grayling was found dead from Legionaries disease. She spend several months looking for her sister, and helped her give up drugs - or so Lou thought: she was given a suspension at the end of Episode 9 after beating the doctor when he gave her drugs and almost caused her to die. Sylvia Hollamby was to take her place.

Inmates

Emira Al Jahani (Laura Dos Santos: Series 8) Wife of supposed a terrorist bomber, Hassan Al Jahani.
Natalie Buxton (Dannielle Brent: Series 6-8) Convicted of trafficking women and children from Eastern Europe into prostitution in the UK. She liked to think of herself as "Top Dog" - or the top woman on G Wing. In Series 7, the suspicions that she is a "nonce" (prison slang for sexual offender ("not of normal criminal ethic"), specifically Buxton sold young girls for sex) are confirmed. Her main enemy on the Wing was Pat Kerrigan. It is Pat Kerrigan who ultimately ends up killing Buxton by smashing a rock over her head in a vicious final showdown between the two Top Dogs on G-Wing.
Darlene Cake (Antonia Okonma: Series 6-8) Convicted of GBH. She sets herself alight in the final of this series but she doesn't die.
Stella Gough (Helen Modern: Series 8) Joy's thieving secret daughter who she gave up for adoption. Inmates and officers alike thought she fancied Masterson until the truth about their relationship emerged. Stella attacked Joy after hearing she was given up so her mother could continue her career in the army, and subsequently she was shipped out of Larkhall - without a goodbye from Joy.
Julie Johnston (Kika Mirylees: Series 1-) Julie J along with Julie S makes up the two Julies. They have been in every episode in the series so far. When Julie J was convicted, her husband took her three children to America and put a court order saying that Julie wasn't to see them. In Series 2 she saw her daughter and her eldest son when Lauren Atkins took them into see their mother because they had come back from America to go to the grandfather's funeral. But Sylvia Hollamby stopped their visit because she knew about the court order. Consquently the two Julies plotted revenge on Hollamby and they pushed her down a flight of prison stairs. In Series 3 Julie S got out on electronic tag but not Julie J. Julie J found it hard inside without Julie S and stole a knife from the kitchens and nearly committed suicide. Luckily Julie S arrived "broke into" the prison just in time and Julie J put the knife back. When the two Julies were released they were arrested straight away on because they were accused of stealing clients wallets in Virginia O'Kane's brothols under the name the two Trudies. When Virginia died the charges were dropped but the two Julies didn't know and when Julie's daughter arrived in Larkhall for shoplifting she found out her boyfriend was her pimp. So the two Julies tricked him into coming in to visit and they poured boiling hot water on him. They were convicted for 8 years
Pat Kerrigan (Liz May Brice: Series 7-)
Convicted for murdering her abusive ex-boyfriend. Had a brief relationship with fellow inmate Sheena before she was released. Spent most of her time at war with Natalie Buxton, and eventually plotted an escape in the hopes of tricking Natalie into a final fight, and ended up killing her with a blow to the head. Pat spent the next few days/weeks trying to dispose of the body.

Janine Nebeski (Nicola Stapleton: Series 7-) Convicted for credit card fraud, she entered Larkhall with fellow scammer Arun Parmer. The two used to be friends but fell out when Nebesky got a longer sentence than Parmer for pleading not guilty, a lie too far for her friend. Arun later turned out to be a transsexual and Janine joined in with Natalie bullying her for her shameful secret. Series 7 saw Janine being portrayed as a materialistic pregnant dog but in Series 8 her vulnerable side is shown, and she falls in love with 'screw' Donny Kimber.
Tina O'Kane (Victoria Bush: Series 3-) Her real name is Tina Purvis. She was a member of the Peckham Boot Gang. She was originally convicted for shoplifting. She became good friends with Virginia O'Kane and her sister Maxine didn't like it. Maxine Purvis and her sidekick Al murdered Virginia and framed Yvonne for it. When everyone found out it was Maxy, Tina hated her and when she eventually decided to make up with her sister, it was too late: Maxy committed suicide with the assistance of Al. Tina changed her name to Julie O'Kane and became the third Julie. But she later changed it to Tina O'Kane. She had a short relationship with Ben Richards but he wasn't as serious as she was. She was released from prison but disliked her freedom so she set alight some clothes in a shop and was sent back to Larkhall.
Phyl Oswyn (Stephanie Beacham: Series 5-) One of the Costa Cons. Since they were sent to Larkhall, they have attempted to get alcohol any way possible (especially gin). In Series 7 they escaped and went to Spain where Phyl ended up shooting Dr Nicholson and saving Sylvia Hollamby. Phyl and Bev found diamonds which were owned by the Russian mafia in their hotel room. Bev was caught first in the hotel. Phyl tried to sell some of the diamonds and got caught by the police.
Angela Robbins (Annette Badland: Series 8) New Inmate convicted of arson, who had a split personality called Andy. Eventually shipped out to a mental home.
Julie Saunders (Victoria Althingy: Series 1-) Most of Julie S 's storylines are the same as Julie J's. But in Series 5 Julie S was diagnosed with breast cancer. Julie battled with cancer until she was given the all clear in Series 6. Julie has one son - David.
Bev Tull (Amanda Barrie: Series 5-) Most of Bev's storylines are the same as Phyl's. Bev is the artist on G Wing and she used her art box to bring in the ingredients for a gin and tonic. Most recently Bev caught Legionnaire's Disease and Phyl tried to get her some help when all the prisoners escape into the prison carpark. Will Bev survive ...? She Does!
Ashlee Wilcox (Sandra De Souza: Series 8) - Ashlee is introduced, and killed off, in Series 8 Episode 1. In fact, the first shot we see of her is her corpse; Ashlee lies dead in the four-bed dorm as Donny and Janine struggle to escape from the locked cell. Much of the rest of the episode is a flashback, during which we get a few scenes of Ashlee alive (a drug user not averse to doing Natalie's dirty work for her) before she turns up dead and we learn that her death is apparently a result of a Legionnaire's Disease outbreak sweeping the prison.

Former characters

Officers

Di Barker/Fenner (Tracey Wilkinson: Series 2-7 ) - Di Barker was introduced during the second series of the show, and for the majority of that series established herself as a well mannered, good hearted officer whom the inmates appreciated. Towards the end of the series she grew close to fellow officer, Dominic, and quickly fell for him. However by the time series 3 came around, Dominic had resigned from his job and left the country. From then on, the kindly Di Barker we all loved began a downward spiral which would one day put her in the same league as legendary "bastard" Jim Fenner. Throughout series 3 we began to learn more about Di, and her secret life. During this series it was revealed Di was abusing her dependent elderly mother who lived with her, and after Jim Fenner found her mother he used this incident to blackmail Di into finding evidence to get Helen Stewart sacked. Di has been obsessed with men since she arrived and made a shrine to them: first it was Dominic, then Josh, Mark, Barry, Grayling, Colin and finally Fenner. After a unhappy and loveless marriage to gay governor Neil Grayling, Di dated Fenner and took advantage of his nightmares of Yvonne Atkins. Di married Fenner but Fenner was arrested after the wedding. In series 7 Fenner got Di to plant evidence so he could be freed. Fenner treated Di very badly by having an affair with Natalie Buxton, having a vasectomy when Di wanted a child. Di later convinced prisoner Sheena Williams that her baby would be safe in their care until she came out. Di ended up giving the baby back when Fenner didn't want it. After Fenner's death Di was suspected of his murder because she hated him by this time. Di couldn't afford the bail and was sent to Larkhall (by own request) until her trial. Di was seen struggling with prison life in the Bad Girl Christmas Special. She was not seen or mentioned in series 8. According to the series 8 press pack, Di was transferred to another prison after being wrongly sentenced for Jim's murder.
Karen Betts (Claire King: Series 2-6) G-Wing Governor and Officer, Karen Betts had a relationship with both Jim Fenner and Mark Waddle. She was framed for a hit and run accident by Jim Fenner in series 5, after being raped by him in series 4.
Ken Blakeson (Eugene Walker: Series 1-5) Ken popped up occasionally in the show for several years, in particularly series' 3 and 5. However, he hasn't been seen since the fifth series and it's unlikely he'll reappear.
Jim Fenner (Jack Ellis: Series 1-7) Evil prison officer had an affair with Shell in the early series but tried to frame Karen Betts for a hit and run and murdered Yvonne Atkins in the hanging cell. Finally killed by Julie J with a weapon made from ice but his wife Di was accused of his murder after she was found to have his blood on her uniform.
Selena Geeson (Charlotte Lucas: Series 5-6) Selena became an officer so she could secretly spend time with her inmate-girlfriend Kris Yates, who admitted a murder actually made by her much younger sister, who Kris was determined not to involve in the case, despite Selena's persuasions.
Neil Grayling (James Gaddas: Series 4-8) Became Governor - Grade 1 after Helen Stewart resigned, took the worst of the blast from Snowball's bomb and nearly died. Married Di Barker but he was gay and was in a relationship with Tony while still married to Di. When he divorced Di he had to endure a sexual harassment tribunal from Fenner (Di helped Fenner). After the tribunal he was demoted to G wing Governor and Joy Masterton took over Larkhall. Neil died in the Legionnaire's Disease outbreak at the beginning of the eighth series.
Colin Hedges (Tristan Sturrock: Series 5-7) Blackmailed by Fenner because an incident with Shell and a hand job. Gave up heroin when he fell in love with Yvonne Atkins. Tried to commit suicide and went back on the heroin after Yvonne's death (murder). Fell in love with Frances Myles but nearly lost his jobs when he tampered with the staff drugs tests. Suspended after headbutting Father Kelly because he was sexually abusing children.
Dominic McAllister (Joe Shaw: Series 1-2) An officer that took a shine to Zandra Plackett. He was considered as one of the only officers that cared about the welfare of the prisoners. He left the prison after he went on holiday and got married off screen in Greece.
Paula Miles (Nikki Amuka Bird: Series 5-6) A more minor character, Paula was a professional, good natured Officer first seen during series 5. She came more into focus in series 6 where she decided to report Sylvia for racially abusing more than one inmate. She hasn't been seen since that storyline.
Josh Mitchell (Nathan Constance: Series 2-4) Went from prisoner odd-job man to G Wing Officer (series 4). He had a relationship with inmate Crystal Gordan, whom he married and had a child with. He was also an obsession of Di Barkers until he realised what was going on and told her to leave him alone.
Frances Myers (Eva Pope: Series 6) The Take-No-Crap Wing Governor initially showed up at the beginning of the sixth series as an undercover officer (under the guise of a prostitute), in order to take down 'fellow' inmate Natalie Buxton as a goth. Frances was determined to shake up G-Wing - inmates and officers alike. When she was revealed as the Wing Gov, pretty much everyone was outraged.
Barry Pearce (Andrew Lancel) An officer that appeared for a few episodes in series 4. He was engaged to Di Barker before he started hitting her. After the wedding was cancelled due to a plot by several inmates, Di came to her senses and called off the relationship. He was sacked for attacking Babara Hunt.
Lorna Rose (Luisa Bradshaw-White: Series 1) Sn officer blackmailed by Zandra Plackett after Zandra escaped when she and Dominic McAllister were escorting her to have an abortion. Lorna was then forced to bring in drugs for Zandra, and later Shell Dockley, whom then stitched her up. She was fired.
Gina Rossi (Lisa Turner: Series 3) - An office transferred to G Wing after hitting a Prisoner on D wing, she dated and was briefly engaged to Mark Waddle, but after losing his baby after a fight with Di Barker she and Mark split and she was transferred off screen.
Kevin Spiers (Andrew Scarborough: Series 7)
Helen Stewart (Simone Lahbib: Series 1-3) Helen was idealistic and believed that the prisoners should be treated with respect and you'd get better results from them. She was on the fast-track entry into the Prison Service, and thus disliked by her subordinates, particularly Jim Fenner and Sylvia Hollamby (Bodybag), who thought the prison should be run by Jail-craft. Helen was kind but firm when she had to be. After developing a camaradarie with inmate Nikki Wade, she and Nikki fell in love, though it was a slightly troublesome relationship given the nature of the circumstances both were in.
Simon Stubberfield (Roland Oliver: Series 1-3) An incompetent G Wing Govenor who was fired in series 3 for the escape of Shell Dockley and Denny Blood.
Mark Waddle (Paul Opacic: Series 3-4) An officer transferred from D Wing to help. He was an obsession of Di Barkers until he got wise to it and told her, much like Josh Mitchell, to leave him alone. He was engaged to Gina Rossi before she lost her baby - after that he dated Karen Betts. He was then transferred to a prison to become a senior officer. Last seen in series 4.

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Re: Bad Girls (TV series) Part 4
« Reply #3 on Sept 27, 2006, 3:46pm »

Inmates

Yvonne Atkins (Linda Henry: Series 1-5)
Femi Bada (Anthonia Lanre-Ajose: Series 3)
Noreen Biggs (Maria Charles: Series 4-5)
Denny Blood (Alicya Eyo: Series 1-5)
Laura Canning (Francesca Fowler: Series 7)
Roisin Connor (Siobhan McCarthy: Series 4)
Rhiannon Dawson (Jade Williams: Series 4)
Jessie Devlin (Denise Black: Series 1-2)
Shell Dockley (Debra Stephenson: Series 1-3, 5)
Crystal Gordon (Sharon Duncan-Brewster: Series 1-4)
Janan Hamad (Meera Syal: Series 6)
Rachel Hicks (Joanne Froggatt: Series 1)
Barbara Hunt (Isabelle Amyes: Series 2-5)
"Podger" Pam Jolly (Wendi Peters: Series 3)
Buki Lester (Kim Oliver: Series 3-5)
Caroline Lewis (Helen Grace: Series 3)
Monica Lindsay (Jane Lowe: Series 1, 3)
Al McKenzie (Pauline Campbell: Series 3-6)
Snowball Merriman (Nicole Faraday: Series 4-5)
Miranda Miles (Nicola Redmond: Series 7)
Sister Thomas More (Colette O'Neil: Series 7)
Charlotte Myddleton (Kate Steavenson-Payne: Series 3)
Virginia O'Kane (Kate O'Mara: Series 3)
Arun Parmar(Rebecca Hazlewood: Series 7)
Zandra Plackett (Lara Cazalet: Series 1-2)
Maxi Purvis (Kerry Norton: Series 3-4)
'Mad' Tessa Spall (Helen Schlesinger: Series 2-3)
Tanya Turner (Zöe Lucker: Series 6)
Cassie Tyler (Kellie Bright: Series 4)
Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones: Series 1-3)
Sheena Williams (Laura Rogers: Series 7 )
Renee Williams (Alison Newman: Series 2)
Shaz Wylie (Lindsey Fawcett: Series 2-4)
Kris Yates (Jennifer Ness: Series 5-6)

Supporting characters

Charlie Atkins (Ivan Kaye: Series 2-3)
Lauren Atkins (Danielle King: Series 2-5)
Ritchie Atkins (Alex King: Series 4-5)
Eric Bostock (Paul Brennen: Series 5)
Rita Dockley (Julie Le Grand: Series 2)
Robin Dunstan (Gideon Turner: Series 1-2)
Frank (Paul Henry: Series 7)
Marilyn Fenner (Kim Taylforth: Series 1-3)
Dr. Henderson (Candida Gubbins: Series 7)
Bobby Hollamby (Geoffrey Hutchings: Series 2-5)
Bobby Darren Hollamby (Louis Waymouth: Series 7)
Spencer Lindsay (Timmy Lang: Series 1)
Christy Mackay (Gaynor Howe: Series 7)
Rev. Henry Mills (Michael Elwyn: Series 4-5)
Dr Malcolm Nicholson (Phillip McGough: Series 2-3, 5-7)
Sean Parr (Oliver Fox: Series 1)
Benjamin Phillips (Richard Mylan: Series 6-7)
Prison Chaplain (David Case: Series 3)
Ian Ravenscroft (Carl Brincat: Series 3)
Rick Revoir (Geff Francis: Series 6)
Meg Richards (Sian Webber: Series 2)
David Saunders (Rod Culbertson: Series 2)
Trisha (Victoria Pritchard: Series 1, 3)
Dr Thomas Waugh (Michael Higgs: Series 3)
Milly Yates (Holly Palmer: Series 5-6)

Future characters

Inmates

Catherine Earlham (Jan Francis)

Supporting characters

Hassan Al Jahani (Supposed terrorist bomber) (Conor Alexander)
Fidelity (David's bride to-be) (Gugu Mbatha-Raw)
Vicky Stoke (Lou's sister) (Melanie Cameron)

General

The series was originally entitled "Jailbirds". If you take a look at the end credits for Series 1, you will see it is copyrighted to Shed Productions (Jailbirds) Limited. The name had to be changed when the BBC used "Jailbirds" for a docusoap shortly before Series 1 of Bad Girls aired.
In the early series (1-3), Bad Girls was filmed at a real former prison - Oxford Prison. When Oxford Prison was bought in order to be converted into a hotel, a purpose-built set was constructed.
Linda Henry (Yvonne Atkins) and Nicola Stapleton (Janine Nebeski), worked together on the BBC Soap Opera, EastEnders. Henry played prostitute Lorraine Salter, the mother of Stapleton's character Mandy Salter. However they did not work together in Bad Girls. Yvonne Atkins died at the end of Series 5, and Janine Nebeski entered in series 7. Stapleton is now sharing screentime with Sid Owen, her former co-star in EastEnders where he played Ricky Butcher, Mandy's good friend and one-time partner.

Series 3

The witness to Nikki Wade's appeal is a character named Sally Anne Howe. It is most likely a simple coincidence, but one wonders if the writers are fans of the real life actress, Sally Anne Howes.

Series 4

We are given perhaps the first clue of what is to ultimately become of Yvonne near the start of series 4, when Maxi claims that Yvonne will 'die in this place'. Yvonne, however, outlives Maxi herself, who commits suicide during the course of series 4. The only other person present for this conversation is Al McKenzie, who will also not leave Larkhall alive. She is accidentally poisoned to death in Series 6.

Series 5

Di, who accused Gina of faking a pregnancy in Series 3, fakes a pregnancy in this series. Another parallel is Di faking her miscarriage, whilst Gina suffered a genuine one after fighting with Di.

We are given at least one clue of what is to become of Yvonne prior to the final episode. When Jim Fenner talkes of Yvonne on the punishment block he remarks: "leave her down there for good, let her rot."

Series 6

The police could have identified that the keys found Jamie hanging cell at the start of the series were not used by Yvonne simply by checking the fingerprints on them. This would have shown that she was indeed locked in, and may have resulted in the arrest of her murderer.

Series 7

The ever-resourceful Julie Johnson is apparently also a fine sculptor, capable of fashioning a lethal weapon made from the ice in an everyday kitchen freezer.

The repercussions of Selena Geeson's and Kris Yates' heroic exploits at the end of series 6 are never explained within the continuity of the show (though the official website does explain that Selena was sacked while Kris was moved to a different prison).

Series 8

The official Bad Girls website has listed Di, Kevin, Arun and Sheena as former characters. According to press pieces in advance of the new series, Di is serving life at another prison for murdering her estranged husband, Jim Fenner (though she is apparently innocent) and Sheena has been released and ended her relationship with Pat. Sheena is mentioned in Series 8, Episode 5, when clearly now a free woman, she fails to turn up to visit Pat (for the third time, Pat says). Whether the disappearances of any of the other characters between Series 7 and 8 will be explained with the continuity of the programme remains to be seen. Although not confirmed as yet during the present series, Kevin Spiers' departure may be connected to the indecent behaviour observed by the prison Chaplin during the seventh series' christmas special. Although the ill-fated chaplin Christie met a gruesome end at the hands of the psychopathic Miranda Miles (motivated by Natalie Buxton) it appeared the report that had been filled out by the chaplin had been left untouched. So it's possible this was discovered whilst the police were attending to the murder scene.

Recurring elements

Weapons The bar of soap in a sock has been seen twice. It was first seen when Maxi Purvis and Al MacKensie beat up Tina Purvis in her cell in Series 3. Next seen when Natalie Buxton and Janine Nebeski beat up Arun Parmar in the library in Series 7.

Weapons II The razor blade (often embedded into a toothbrush handle) makes frequent appearances. It was first seen when season two newcomer Renee Williams removes it from her mouth after her induction to the prison. She tries using it on Yvonne Atkins in one of the bathrooms but Nikki intervenes. Next seen with Al MacKensie threatens Shaz Wiley in Series 3. Next seen when Maxi Purvis uses one in her fight with Shaz in Series 4. Shell returned in series 5 with a razor blade and threatened Snowball Merriman with it. Next seen with Arun Parmar shaving in Series 7. Most recently in Series 8 Pat Kerrigan used one to force Natalie Buxton to take a handful of pills.

Homosexuality in the Hollamby Bloodline Ironic considering Sylvia's disgust with any homosexual behaviour. First hinted at after Bobby Hollamby's death in Series 5 when we learn from Sylvia that their son, Bobby-Darren "lives with a pal". Series 7 fleshes it out completely when we learn Sylvia's Aunt was a lesbian and Bobby-Darren is still not married. He later became sexually involved with Governor Neil Grayling but with the abrupt death of Neil at the start of Series 8 this subplot has probably ended.

Letters to Mrs Fenner Twice we've seen letters written to Jim Fenner's wife telling of his affairs and twice they've helped bring about the failure of those marriages. Shell Dockley wrote to Marilyn Fenner at the end of Series 1. Natalie Buxton wrote to Mrs Di Fenner in Series 7.

Top Dogs There has always been a 'top dog' of G-Wing and every top dog has eventually fallen from grace in some (usually violent) manner. First, Shell Dockley who was ultimately sent to a secure prison hospital, but was not before Yvonne Atkins knocked her off her perch at the end of the first series then became top dog herself slowly as her character progressed during the second series. Yvonne always seemed reluctant to be 'top dog' like fellow respected inmate Nikki Wade. However all the inmates respected her and many feared her if they crossed her. Shell Dockley still claimed to be top dog despite her downfall in series 2. Shell won her status back by stabbing Jim Fenner, but even Shell never challenged Yvonne and for the most part kept out of her way. Yvonne was eventually locked by Fenner into a disuesed cell deep under the prison. She either died of starvation and dehydration or she suffocated due to lack of oxygen beneath the prison (as Fenner stated: "Don't bother screaming, you might want to save on the oxygen). Her death was probably the most gruesome. At the beginning of the next series, her heavily rotting body was found by Kris Yates. Next, Maxi Purvis who choked herself to death by swallowing toilet paper. There was a brief instance of Phyl Oswyn laying claim to the title in the early episodes of series six, in particular heading the trade of drugs within the prison, but she was quickly put in line by the arrival of no-nonsense, ball-breaking Wing Governor Frances Myers. The next, conventional 'Top Dog' was Natalie Buxton. Like Shell Dockley, Natalie was manipulative and used her position more to exploit the others rather than help them. She was knocked off her perch by Pat Kerrigan, who beat up Natalie during a fight to secure fragile inmate Arun's safety within the prison. Although most of Natalie's gang stuck by her after this, everyone turned their back on her when Pat set up a scam to trick Natalie to revealing her crimes of selling children as sex slaves (which she had always vehemently denied, and for the most part was believed by her fellow inmates). After Pat played back a tape to the wing containing Natalie's confession, she was jeered at and since then, has been ostracised. Now, Pat Kerrigan appears to be in hold of the title, although she is clearly reluctant to accept it. Natalie and Pat have since been onvolved in another fight, in which Pat killed Natalie by slamming a rock into her head. Pat eventually managed to dispose of Natalie's quickly decomposing corpse by, with the help of the Julies, shoving it down a manhole in the laundry room.

Luck Jim Fenner has had a lot of this. Helen Stewart described it as 'the luck of the devil'. Interestingly Fenner's brand of cigarette, revealed in Series 7 is 'Lucky Strike'.

£50,000 This large sum of money is used throughout Bad Girls. After Sylvia falls down a flight of stairs, Yvonne suggests a lawyer, claiming a friend received £50,000 as compensation for an accident. At the end of series four, Snowball and Richie try to cheat Yvonne out of £50,000, and in series five, Sylvia and Bobby end up in debt by £50,000. Finally, towards the end of series 7, the amount of money set for Di's bail is £50,000.

Russian Mafia When Phyl and Bev are convicted in series 5, they claim that it was the fault of the Russian Mafia. In series 7, who do they come into close contact with and steal diamonds off? That's right, members of the Russian Mafia.

Criticisms

Bad Girls has endured much criticism over its storylines and characters during its run. Many real-life prison officers have argued that whilst bullying, drug use and prostitution are unfortunate and inevitable parts of prison life, they are never as bad as the show portrays them. Two incidents in the series' run (the death of Maxi Purvis and the death of Jim Fenner) have seen senior officers demoted for a lack of supervision and organisation. The prison advice bureau has argued that under normal circumstances these officers would be sacked immediately rather than have their rank reduced. The antics of "The Costa Cons", with their frequent (successful) escape attempts and smuggling of drugs and alcohol into the prison is also highly unlikely.

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