"Bad Girls" (1999) TV series 1999-2006

Creators:

Maureen Chadwick
Eileen Gallagher
Ann McManus

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

1 June 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Behind bars, anything can happen!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Women's Prison | Inmate | Suicide | Cult Favorite

Awards:

9 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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 / ... (76 episodes, 2000-2005)
Victoria Bush	...	Tina O'Kane / ... (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)
Isabelle Amyes	...	Barbara Hunt (52 episodes, 2000-2003)
James Gaddas	...	Neil Grayling (52 episodes, 2002-2006)
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)
Jeanie Gold	...	Prisoner (41 episodes, 2003-2006)
Stephanie Beacham	...	Phyllida Oswyn (40 episodes, 2003-2006)

Also Known As:

Jail Birds (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

90 min (including commercials; eight episodes) | 75 min (including commercials; one episode) | UK:60 min (including commercials; ninety eight episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA (some episodes) | Australia:M (some episodes) | UK:15 | UK:18 (two episodes)

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Shed Productions

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.

Quotes:

Helen Stewart: My officers are trained professionals.
Nikki Wade: Well, if Fenner's anything to go by, you'd be better off training chimpanzees.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "EastEnders: (2009-06-12)" (2009)

Definitely worth watching

I haven't seen all of the series, but from what i've seen, it's a rarely impressive TV drama. All of the characters are carefully created, and the actors are doing a great job; while you're watching, it feels like you're really a part of their crew. You share their awkward moments, fights, their joys and losses; pain and hope are mixed in one here. And yet, tension and stress is not all that this show has to offer, there's a lot of fun moments too. And after all, a lot of love going on. These women have countless flaws, but they are still valuable human beings, and their hearts and souls are not made from stone. I'd definitely watch it again.