It’s the cult Aussie soap drama that needs no introduction – Prisoner: Cell Block H.
Over seven action packed series and 692 episodes, this all star cast brought to life the realities of life inside prison for women, featuring a female dominated cast and focusing on the issues facing women.
As one of Australia’s most successful media exports, we had to revist the show some 40 years on from it’s premiere in February 1979, and see where the cast have found themselves today.
Scroll on, nostalgia awaits…
The series is now available to rewatch on 10Play.
(IMAGE: Channel 10)Elspeth Ballantyne as Meg Morris
Elspeth is still rocking the same bob!
(IMAGE: Channel 10/Getty)Whilst Elspeth is now retired, she has an impressive resume of acting roles to her name.
You may know her as compassionate warder Meg on Prisoner (for a mammoth 671 episodes), but this now 80 something year old actress has gone on to star in a number of other iconic Aussie shows after her time on Prisoner wrapped up.
You might have seen her in The Flying Doctors, Neighbours or even All Saints!
Elspeth’s last credited role was a decade ago as Emily King in TV miniseries Paper Giants: Magazine Wars (2013).
And in a fun fact for any fans reading this, Elspeth was actually the ONLY character to stay with the series from the first episode in 1979 to the last made in 1986.
Maggie Kirkpatrick as Joan ‘The Freak’ Ferguson
Maggie has matron roles down pat.
(IMAGE: Getty/Channel 10)After wrapping up in the role of Joan, Maggie’s next big acting gig was in short lived Channel 10 soap drama Richmond Hill as Ivy Hackett with a number of other guest roles across the next decade.
She also had an 18-episode stint on Home and Away, her most recent on screen appearance in 2021 television series Eden as Florence Katz.
But just because she hasn’t been on screen that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been busy on the stage!
Maggie is also well known for her time as Madame Morrible in the Australian production of Wicked and is a strong supporter of gay rights, having been awarded the Sydney Gay Community’s DIVA award in recognition of her work.
Leaving court in 2015.
(IMAGE: AAP)It hasn’t been all smooth sailing however for the actress who was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency with a person under the age of 16 in August 2015, and was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order.
She did however appeal the verdict and the conviction and charges were overturned just four months later.
”It’s been rather difficult but I’m very happy with the result,” Maggie told reporters after her conviction was overturned.
Speaking with Woman’s Day in 2020, Maggie said that she ”still suffers from PTSD” and that ”the nightmare of torment continues” for her despite the charges being overturned.
”How do you ever get over such shocking allegations, especially when they weren’t true? I still suffer PTSD. I still have trouble sleeping. It’s all so raw and it’s horror from which I’ll never escape,” she said.
Maggie is also the author of a bestselling memoir: ”The Gloves Are Off” which details the highs and lows of her personal life and career.
Val Lehman as Bea Smith
Val is still working as an actress according to her Linked In profile.
(IMAGE: Supplied/Channel 10)For Val it seems, Prisoner marked the beginning and the end of her acting career.
After stepping out of the shoes of Bea in 1983 after 378 episodes, Val had a spattering of guest appearances on shows such as The Flying Doctors, Blue Heelers, All Saints and even Neighbours.**
The Logie award winning actress was awarded the Order of Australia in 2021 for significant service to the performing arts and wildlife conservation.
She was also a contestant on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! In 2016 for a short period of time before being evicted from the jungle.
Despite now being well into her 80’s, according to her Linked In profile Val has no plans to retire anytime soon, writing ”I am fit and available for casting.”
Colette Man as Doreen Burns
Whilst some may know her best as Doreen on Prisoner, others may know her as Sheila Canning on Neighbours from 1995 – 2022 across 1254 episodes (wow).
She’s also appeared as a presenter on TV shows such as Good Morning Australia, Hey Hey It’s Saturday and The Circle as well as performing in a number of stage and musical theatre productions such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical in 2010.
Colette has also written two books (It’s a Mann’s World in 1990 and Give Me a Break in 2002) and once up a time wrote a regular column for our sister publication New Idea.
Fiona Spence as Vera Bennett
Fiona’s next big acting gig was on Home and Away.
(IMAGE: Supplied/Channel 10)After cementing her stardom as Vera in Prisoner, Fiona guest starred in a number of other local productions before landing the second role of a lifetime as Celia Stewart in Home and Away from 1988 – 2013.
That year also marked Fiona’s last on-screen appearance as Eleanor in Packed to the Rafters.
She has also starred in several theatre productions including a theatrical pantomime of Aladdin.
WATCH NOW: Maggie Kirkpatrick reacts to Prisoner. Article continues after video.
IN MEMORIAM
Barbara Jungwirth (1926 – 2016), Betty Bobbitt (1939 – 2020), Sheila Florance (1916 – 1991), Gerda Nicolson (1937- 1992), Judith McGrath (1947 – 2017), Joy Westmore (1932 – 2020), Delva Hunter (unknown – 2002)
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