What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWentworth
Lara Radulovich · Series · 2013
If you loved Wentworth, start with Prisoner (Matt Charman, 2026) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 1 podcast, each matched to Wentworth across media.
If Wentworth hooked you, it is because you are drawn to stories where survival requires navigating brutal institutional power.
Start with the source
The source
Prisoner
Matt Charman · Series · 2026
Books on the same thread
The River Is Waiting
Wally Lamb · Book
Explores: institutionalization, moral ambiguity, human resilience.
Much like the harsh reality of Wentworth, this book explores the collision of brutality and small acts of humanity within a rigid system, testing your own moral compass.
Mad Mabel
Sally Hepworth · Book
Explores: buried secrets, repressed past, small-town judgment.
This Australian noir mirrors the dark secrets and intense focus on a woman's past found in Wentworth, keeping you gripped as a buried history threatens to resurface completely.
The Woman in White
Wilkie Collins · Book · 2005
Explores: Mistaken Identity, Asylum, Conspiracy.
If the institutional confinement of Wentworth captured your attention, you will appreciate this classic tale of conspiracy and identity, where the walls feel just as restrictive and dangerous.
Mary: A Fiction
Mary Wollstonecraft · Book · 2022
Explores: Female Identity, Societal Constraints, Individualism.
While set in a different era, this novel reflects the same struggle for female identity against societal constraints that Bea Smith battles within the walls of Wentworth.
Films on the same thread
Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook · Film · 2005
Explores: Wrongful Imprisonment, Female Revenge, Moral Ambiguity.
This film matches the visceral intensity of Wentworth by examining how a woman navigates the aftermath of incarceration, prioritizing her own cold, calculated path toward personal retribution.
Prisoners
Denis Villeneuve · Film · 2013
Explores: Parental Grief, Vigilante Justice, Moral Ambiguity.
The desperate, morally ambiguous choices made by characters in this thriller echo the high-stakes survival instincts seen throughout the seasons of Wentworth when pushed to the absolute limit.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Shares 2 threads with Wentworth: institutional corruption, Prison Drama.
This classic prison drama shares the core themes of institutional corruption and the fight for hope that defined the most impactful character arcs within the world of Wentworth.
Wasteman
Cal McMau · Film · 2026
Shares a thread with Wentworth: Prison Drama.
Like the intricate power dynamics in Wentworth, this film highlights the complex, often toxic bonds between inmates and the difficult choices required to secure one's own fragile freedom.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth About Amy
LiSTNR · Podcast
Explores: Domestic Violence, Wrongful Death, Police Investigation.
The harrowing exploration of domestic violence and systemic failure in this investigation will resonate deeply with fans of the gritty, realistic stakes established early on in Wentworth.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Wentworth based on an earlier series?
Yes, Wentworth is a modern adaptation and sequel of the iconic series titled Prisoner. While Wentworth focuses on Bea Smith navigating prison life, it draws its foundational narrative structure and legacy from the original Prisoner television series.
How does the plot of Wentworth begin?
The story of Wentworth begins with Bea Smith being locked up while awaiting trial for the attempted murder of her husband. She must quickly learn how life works within the prison environment to survive her incarceration.
Should I watch Prisoner before or after Wentworth?
Since Wentworth is a modern adaptation and sequel to Prisoner, you can watch it as a standalone series. However, viewers interested in the history of the franchise may choose to watch Prisoner to understand the evolution of the source material that inspired Wentworth.
What is the primary premise of Wentworth?
Wentworth follows the journey of Bea Smith, who is incarcerated awaiting trial for the attempted murder of her husband. The series documents her struggle to adapt to the complex social dynamics and daily realities of life inside the prison.