Bad Girls (1999–2006)

Drama about the staff and inmates of a women's prison.

Creators:

Maureen Chadwick, Eileen Gallagher, Ann McManus

Stars:

Victoria Alcock, Kika Mirylees, Helen Fraser

10 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Victoria Alcock	...	Julie Saunders (96 episodes, 1999-2006)
Kika Mirylees	...	Julie Johnston (96 episodes, 1999-2006)
Helen Fraser	...	Sylvia Hollamby (92 episodes, 1999-2006)
Jack Ellis	...	Jim Fenner (88 episodes, 1999-2005)
Tracey Wilkinson	...	Di Barker (75 episodes, 2000-2005)
Victoria Bush	...	Tina Purvis (73 episodes, 2001-2006)
Alicia Eyo	...	Denny Blood (59 episodes, 1999-2003)
Linda Henry	...	Yvonne Atkins (58 episodes, 1999-2003)
Claire King	...	Karen Betts (56 episodes, 2000-2004)
James Gaddas	...	Neil Grayling (52 episodes, 2002-2006)
Isabelle Amyes	...	Barbara Hunt (51 episodes, 2000-2003)
Sharon Duncan-Brewster	...	Crystal Gordon (44 episodes, 1999-2002)
Pauline Campbell	...	Al Mackenzie (42 episodes, 2001-2004)
Amanda Barrie	...	Beverley Tull (41 episodes, 2003-2006)
Stephanie Beacham	...	Phyllida Oswyn (40 episodes, 2003-2006)

Storyline

A thoroughly thought-provoking drama series based on the events in a womens prison. Bad Girls captures the highs and lows in the prison, and questions which side of the bar really is the most intense- its a world where the 'screws' versus the 'cons,' a world where anything and everything can happen, a world where the women really are vulnerable at the hands of the screws...

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Plot Keywords:

prison | women's prison | inmate | gay interest | hostage | 

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Taglines:

Trust no one

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

ITV [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 June 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Jail Birds

Filming Locations:

Oxford Prison, New Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shed Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min 75 min 60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tristan Sturrock (Colin Hedges) broke his back during the filming of the sixth series. Consequently, his character was temporarily written out of the series and was absent for the final four episodes except for a brief scene in the finale. Similarly, he only appeared in the first six episodes of Series 7 before again being written out temporarily. He did not return for the eight and final series.

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Goofs

Julie Johnston's surname varies from Johnson and Johnston throughout the series run.

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Quotes

Tina Purvis: [to Phyl and Bev] 'Ere! You pair must think I'm a right muppet! Every time I turn round, you two have f'ed off somewhere.
Bev Tull: You have our sincere apologies.
Tina Purvis: Yeah, well you can stick 'em up your chuff 'cause I ain't putting up with it no more.

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Crazy Credits

Series 5, Episode 16 had a different ending theme. Instead of the usual blue and black background for the end credits, a black and gray background with a sad theme used.

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Connections

Referenced in Drama Trails: 'Bad Girls' to 'Cold Blood' (2008)

User Reviews

Exceptional TV Series

This is a wonderful gritty, raunchy series set in a UK women's prison. The cast of cons and screws is a marvelous ensemble juggling a terrific blend of heartbreak, back-stabbing, infighting and deft comedic turns that will leave you drooling for the next episode. Sultry Scot Simone Lahbib (seasons 1 - 3) as Wing Governor Helen Stewart, and Jack Ellis as the scheming head screw Fenner,who never quite gets his comeuppance,are particular stand-outs.