Wentworth Correctional Centre has never had a Top Dog quite like Joan “The Freak” Ferguson.
The former governor ended up behind bars as an inmate. Now, thanks to a campaign of violence and intimidation, she rules over the other prisoners.
Joan’s fellow inmates are in fear of her. It seems none of them is game enough to try to topple her.
Yet, as Wentworth reaches its stunning season finale this week, actress Pamela Rabe admits her character, Joan, may suffer a violent fate.
“That’s part of the delicious gamble of Wentworth – is anybody going to make it out alive?” Pamela, 58, tells TV WEEK.
“The show is such a beautiful hotbed of drama because the stakes are so high.
“We don’t know if our characters will survive, and if so, at what cost?”
Wentworth’s inmates and officers might fear Joan, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a long list of enemies who’d take her down given the chance.
High on that list is inmate Allie (Kate Jenkinson), who was prisoner Bea’s girlfriend. Allie has craved revenge after Joan killed Bea (Danielle Cormack) at the end of last season.
Then there’s inmate Franky (Nicole da Silva). Joan cruelly snuffed out her chance at freedom and being cleared of murder charges.
Also on the list is Vera (Kate Atkinson), who has just been sidelined as governor. Vera and former mentor Joan have a long and tumultuous past.
“If you put the former governor of a prison in among the prisoners she formerly terrorised, everyone is going to want to take pot shots at her,” Pamela explains. “She’s a walking bull’s-eye and knows it.”
Despite portraying such a malevolent character – the one who plunged the knife into such a beloved character as Bea – Pamela hasn’t experienced any backlash from Wentworth fans.
“Nobody has come up to me in the street and hit me,” the actress says.
“I love the investment of the fans in the show, and their affection for the character. It may be something to do with the fact I play a scary character, but people are respectful and wary.”
While Pamela has enjoyed portraying Joan since season two, she concedes the role comes with an emotional toll.
Some of her scenes have depicted shocking violence and psychological warfare.
“They’re all challenging,” Pamela says. “Yet I relish the opportunity to take her on. It’s such a gift, blessing and a joy to be let loose on a character like this.”
The actress has also delighted in being part of Wentworth’s primarily female cast. Her co-stars include esteemed actresses such as Celia Ireland and Sigrid Thornton.
“The show has a revolving door that a lot of interesting characters can come in,” Pamela explains.
“The people given the role of bringing those characters to life are the cream of Australian female acting talent. It’s an honour to work alongside them.”
While their on-screen characters are locked in a battle, actress Kate Jenkinson says working with Pamela has been one of the highlights of being in Wentworth.
“Pamela is the sweetest, most caring and kind human,” Kate, 35, says. “She’s exceptional to watch, and she brings an element to the show that’s irreplaceable.”
Pamela’s brilliance has not only made Joan one of the show’s most memorable characters. Wentworth’s fanbase abroad has made the actress known to an international audience too.
While pleased the show has resonated with audiences beyond Australia, Pamela has no plans to take her career abroad to capitalise on the success.
“Being overseas has never been my objective,” she says. “I’m happy to be part of the Australian arts community. Making it big in Hollywood has never been my goal.”
Instead, Pamela says she’s content to remain at home in Australia and continue work in Wentworth.
But ruling the inmates and officers in the prison drama isn’t all that keeps her going. Pamela also has a busy theatrical life, taking to the stage in theatre productions in Sydney and Melbourne.
“I go to the work that excites me,” the talented star says. “It’s led to a very happy and varied career.”
“My career has been so long, but it’s gone by in the blink of an eye. I’ve had the best of both worlds. I feel lucky.”
