If you loved
Wentworth
Lara Radulovich · Series · 2013
If you loved Wentworth, you likely crave stories that examine the brutal power dynamics of confinement and the resilience of those fighting back.
Start with the source
The source
Prisoner
Matt Charman · Series · 2026
Books on the same thread
Murder in Williamstown
Kerry Greenwood · Book · 2022
Explores: Independent Woman, 1920s Australia, Class and Society.
Much like the complex social hierarchies Bea Smith navigates in Wentworth, this story explores how an independent woman asserts her authority within a rigid and often unforgiving class-based society.
Educated: A Memoir
Tara Westover · Book · 2018
Explores: Family dysfunction, Self-discovery, Overcoming adversity.
The intense struggle for self-discovery and agency against overwhelming odds in this memoir echoes the internal transformation Bea Smith undergoes while adapting to the harsh environment of Wentworth.
The Testaments: Booker Prize Winner
Margaret Atwood · Book · 2019
Explores: Theocratic totalitarianism, Resistance and rebellion, Patriarchal oppression.
This dystopian narrative mirrors the institutional corruption and oppressive systems found in Wentworth, focusing on women who must form strategic alliances to survive a regime designed to break them.
The Housemaid Is Watching
Freida McFadden · Book · 2024
Explores: Hidden Identity, Surveillance, Twisted Power Dynamics.
The twisted power dynamics and constant surveillance central to this thriller will resonate with anyone who appreciated the high-stakes manipulation and paranoia that defined the daily life in Wentworth.
Films on the same thread
Prisoners
Denis Villeneuve · Film · 2013
Explores: Parental Grief, Vigilante Justice, Moral Ambiguity.
The moral ambiguity and desperate drive for justice seen here parallel the dark choices characters in Wentworth are forced to make when the system fails to protect them or their loved ones.
Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook · Film · 2005
Explores: Wrongful Imprisonment, Female Revenge, Moral Ambiguity.
This film provides a visceral exploration of wrongful imprisonment and the subsequent quest for retribution, mirroring the fierce spirit of survival and vengeance that fuels the inmates of Wentworth.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Shares 2 threads with Wentworth: institutional corruption, Prison Drama.
The exploration of hope and institutional corruption within a prison setting makes this a perfect companion to Wentworth, highlighting how individuals maintain their humanity in a confined, hostile space.
Witness for the Prosecution
Film · 1957
Explores: Deception, Justice, Betrayal.
The intricate layers of deception and the high-stakes courtroom tension reflect the legal battles and personal betrayals that frequently complicate the lives of the women incarcerated in Wentworth.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
This investigative storytelling captures the same fascination with moral ambiguity and the complex lives of those caught within the legal system that drives the narrative tension of Wentworth.
The Teacher's Trial
The Australian · Podcast · 2025
This deep dive into a high-profile criminal trial offers the same gripping look at institutional accountability and human tragedy that fans of the gritty Australian drama Wentworth expect.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Wentworth a remake of the show Prisoner?
Wentworth is a modern adaptation and sequel of the iconic television series Prisoner. While it draws inspiration from the original source material, it functions as a new iteration that explores the experiences of Bea Smith as she navigates life within the prison system while awaiting her trial.
What is the premise of Wentworth?
The series follows Bea Smith, who is incarcerated while awaiting trial for the attempted murder of her husband. The plot focuses on her journey as she learns how life works inside the prison environment and adapts to the social structures and challenges present within the facility.
Should I watch Prisoner before starting Wentworth?
Since Wentworth is a modern adaptation and sequel to Prisoner, watching the original series provides historical context for the franchise. However, Wentworth is designed as a standalone modern series, so you can follow the story of Bea Smith without necessarily having seen the earlier Prisoner episodes first.
How does Wentworth relate to the original Prisoner series?
Wentworth serves as both a modern adaptation and a sequel to the 1979 series Prisoner. It reimagines the core concepts of the original show for a contemporary audience, centering on the character of Bea Smith and her adjustment to life behind bars while awaiting her legal trial.