Prisoner (1979)
The groundbreaking Australian soap opera that took viewers inside the walls of Wentworth Detention Centre and never looked away.
Prisoner - Series Information
- Original Title: Prisoner
- First Air Year: 1979
- Last Air Year: 1986
- Created by: Reg Watson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Soap, Drama
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (55 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 8
- Number of Episodes: 692
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: February 27, 1979 (United States - NR), February 27, 1979 (United Kingdom - 15), February 27, 1979 (Germany - 16), February 27, 1979 (France - 16), February 27, 1979 (Australia - M), February 27, 1979 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: 10
- Alternative Titles: Caged Women (CA), Prisoner: Cell Block H (UK), Kvinnofängelset (SE), Prisoner: Cell Block H (US)
- Production Companies: The Grundy Organization, Grundy Television Productions, Network Ten
- Production Countries: Australia
Prisoner - Plot
Prisoner is an Australian soap opera that is set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison.
Where to Watch Prisoner
Looking for where to watch Prisoner?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Prisoner - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Reg Watson
Main Cast
- Joy Westmore
- Terry Gill
- Bryon Williams
- Elspeth Ballantyne
- Caroline Gillmer
- Anne Phelan
- Betty Bobbitt
- Jane Clifton
- Sheila Florance
- Val Lehman
Writers
- Chris Adshead
Prisoner - FAQs
Where can you stream Prisoner online?
Prisoner is available to stream on WOW Presents Plus as part of its flat-rate subscription. Availability may vary by region. For a full overview of current streaming, rental, and purchase options where you live, check JustWatch for the most up-to-date listings.
Why is Prisoner called Cell Block H in some countries?
The series was retitled Prisoner: Cell Block H for its UK and US releases to avoid confusion with other local productions sharing the name Prisoner. The subtitle references the H Block housing unit within the fictional Wentworth Detention Centre, giving international audiences a clearer sense of the show's setting.
Who are the main actors in Prisoner?
The principal cast includes Val Lehman as Bea Smith, Elspeth Ballantyne as Meg Morris, Sheila Florance as Lizzie Birdsworth, Betty Bobbitt as Judy Bryant, Jane Clifton as Margo Gaffney, Anne Phelan as Myra Desmond, Joy Westmore as Joyce Barry, Caroline Gillmer as Helen Smart, Terry Gill as Jack Grace, and Bryon Williams as Dr Eric Weissman.
Is Prisoner based on a true story?
Prisoner is not based on a specific true story. Creator Reg Watson drew inspiration from the British soap opera Within These Walls and developed an entirely fictional setting — Wentworth Detention Centre — along with original characters. The series reflects broader social realities of incarceration, class, and gender rather than any single real-world case.
How many seasons and episodes does Prisoner have?
Prisoner ran for 8 seasons and a total of 692 episodes. Season lengths ranged from 79 to 104 episodes, with Season 8 being the longest at 104 episodes. The series aired from February 27, 1979, until its conclusion in 1986 on Australia's Network 10.
Who created the TV series Prisoner?
Prisoner was created by Reg Watson, a prolific Australian television producer also known for creating Neighbours. Watson developed the series for The Grundy Organization and Network 10, drawing on his experience with British soap operas to craft a gritty, character-driven drama set inside a women's prison.
What is the TV series Prisoner about?
Prisoner follows the lives of inmates and staff at Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional Australian women's prison. The series explores power struggles, friendship, survival, and injustice behind bars. Critics have praised its unflinching portrayal of working-class women and its willingness to tackle social issues rarely seen on mainstream television at the time.
What are shows similar to Prisoner worth watching?
Viewers who enjoyed Prisoner often appreciate Orange Is the New Black, Locked Up (Vis a Vis), and Mayor of Kingstown for their prison-set drama and complex female characters. The Australian reboot Wentworth, directly inspired by Prisoner, is also widely recommended as a modern reimagining of the same fictional setting.
More About Prisoner
Explore further details about Prisoner on these authoritative reference platforms.