Prisoner (season 1)

The first season of Australian drama television series Prisoner (commonly known as Prisoner: Cell Block H) premiered on the then-known 0-10 Network on 26 February 1979 in Sydney and 27 February 1979 in Melbourne. The season contains 79 episodes[1] and concluded on 28 November 1979.

Prisoner
Season 1
DVD cover
Starring
Country of originAustralia
No. of episodes79
Release
Original networkNetwork Ten
(0-10 Network)
Original release27 February (1979-02-27) –
28 November 1979 (1979-11-28)
Season chronology

Cast
Main article: List of Prisoner cast members

Recurring

Episodes
No.
overall		EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1Episode 1
Episode 2		Graeme ArthurReg Watson27 February 1979 (1979-02-27)
2

Two new prisoners arrive at Wentworth Detention Centre; Karen Travers, convicted of murdering her abusive husband and Lynn Warner, convicted of burying a baby alive, but she claims she is innocent.

Bea enjoys 24 hours of freedom: she visits her daughter's grave, then shoots her husband dead.
3Episode 3Rod HardyIan Bradley28 February 1979 (1979-02-28)
Bee surrenders and is put back inside, to face off against Franky Doyle. Bill Jackson is stabbed.
4Episode 4Graeme ArthurIan Bradley6 March 1979 (1979-03-06)
The murderer of Meg's husband is forced to confess.
5Episode 5Rod HardyReg Watson7 March 1979 (1979-03-07)
6Episode 6Graeme ArthurDenise Morgan13 March 1979 (1979-03-13)
7Episode 7Gary ConwayDenise Morgan14 March 1979 (1979-03-14)
Vera's mother dies.
8Episode 8Brian McDuffieIan Coughlan20 March 1979 (1979-03-20)
9Episode 9Gary ConwayIan Bradley21 March 1979 (1979-03-21)
10Episode 10Graeme ArthurIan Coughlan27 March 1979 (1979-03-27)
Bea's plan to help Marilyn reconcile with Eddie backfires. Lynn struggles with life at home. A depressed Vera is almost arrested when she gets drunk and becomes aggressive in a bar. Helen is released and the prisoners discover what she really thinks of them when she appears in a TV interview.
11Episode 11Gary ConwayDenise Morgan28 March 1979 (1979-03-28)
Franky goes berserk when she learns her brother is critically injured.
12Episode 12Brian McDuffieMichael Brindley3 April 1979 (1979-04-03)
Lynn marries Doug. Franky, Doreen and Lizzy escape.
13Episode 13Godfrey PhilippMichael Brindley4 April 1979 (1979-04-04)
14Episode 14Godfrey PhilippMichael Brindley10 April 1979 (1979-04-10)
15Episode 15Gary ConwayDenise Morgan11 April 1979 (1979-04-11)
16Episode 16Gary ConwayMarcus Cole17 April 1979 (1979-04-17)
17Episode 17Simon WincerDave Worthington & Marcus Cole18 April 1979 (1979-04-18)
18Episode 18Simon WincerDenise Morgan24 April 1979 (1979-04-24)
19Episode 19William FitzwaterJill Kavalek25 April 1979 (1979-04-25)
Catherine Roberts drives her car backwards and forwards over the man that raped her daughter.
20Episode 20William FitzwaterDenise Morgan1 May 1979 (1979-05-01)
Franky is shot dead by police. Doreen hands herself in to pay Karen back, accusing her of getting Franky killed.
21Episode 21Marcus Cole & Charles TingwellMarcus Cole2 May 1979 (1979-05-02)
22Episode 22Marcus Cole & Charles TingwellMichael Brindley8 May 1979 (1979-05-08)
23Episode 23Julian PringleMaree Teychenne9 May 1979 (1979-05-09)
24Episode 24Julian PringleRon McLean15 May 1979 (1979-05-15)
25Episode 25Alan ColemanStanley Walsh16 May 1979 (1979-05-16)
26Episode 26Alan ColemanSarah Darling22 May 1979 (1979-05-22)
27Episode 27William FitzwaterDenise Morgan23 May 1979 (1979-05-23)
28Episode 28William FitzwaterDave Worthington & Ian Bradley29 May 1979 (1979-05-29)
29Episode 29Marcus ColeMichael Brindley30 May 1979 (1979-05-30)
30Episode 30Marcus ColeSheila Sibley5 June 1979 (1979-06-05)
31Episode 31Julian PringleDenise Morgan6 June 1979 (1979-06-06)
32Episode 32Julian PringleJohn Drew12 June 1979 (1979-06-12)
George Lucas ties Vera up before running off with her bail money.
33Episode 33Peita LetchfordRay Kolle12 June 1979 (1979-06-12)
Vera is found by Erica who is less than happy with her involvement with George Lucas. The women get bored of Monica and want Bea back, unbeknown to them that the police are already on her trail.
34Episode 34Peita LetchfordSheila Sibley19 June 1979 (1979-06-19)
Bea and Val have a night out resulting in a very bad hangover the following morning. Lizzie is forced by Monica to make some of her famous brew but Noeline tries to muscle in on the production line. Noeline's brother makes a big mistake during a burglary.
35Episode 35Leigh SpenceMichael Brindley20 June 1979 (1979-06-20)
Clara throws a party for the other women and manages to make even more booze, but Noeline drinks the lot. Bea is concerned about the young girl who lives next door. Noeline's brother is shot dead by police when his burglary goes wrong.
36Episode 36Leigh SpenceDenise Morgan26 June 1979 (1979-06-26)
Bea's time is up on the outside and she's returned to Wentworth where she takes over as Top Dog, much to the dismay of Noeline and Monica. Meg is injured when Bea and Monica fight in the laundry over who is working the steam press.
37Episode 37Marcus ColeJohn Drew27 June 1979 (1979-06-27)
Business woman Marianne de Vere has been persuaded to fund the Half Way House project so a celebration barbecue is organised for the prisoners. She also arranges a new colour television for the Recroom but Noeline ensures that nobody will watch it.
38Episode 38Marcus ColeSheila Sibley3 July 1979 (1979-07-03)
39Episode 39Brian FaullRon McLean4 July 1979 (1979-07-04)
40Episode 40Brian FaullDenise Morgan10 July 1979 (1979-07-10)
Jim Fletcher makes his debut, and is greeted by some crass political correctness.
41Episode 41Leon ThauJohn Hepworth11 July 1979 (1979-07-11)
42Episode 42Leon ThauMaree Teychenne17 July 1979 (1979-07-17)
43Episode 43Leigh SpenceDenise Morgan18 July 1979 (1979-07-18)
44Episode 44Leigh SpenceDave Worthington & Ian Bradley24 July 1979 (1979-07-24)
45Episode 45Marcus ColeMichael Brindley25 July 1979 (1979-07-25)
46Episode 46Marcus ColeJohn Drew31 July 1979 (1979-07-31)
47Episode 47Philip EastJohn Upton1 August 1979 (1979-08-01)
48Episode 48Philip EastS. E. Unsworth7 August 1979 (1979-08-07)
49Episode 49Leon Thau & Philip EastDenise Morgan8 August 1979 (1979-08-08)
50Episode 50Leon Thau & Philip EastJohn Wood14 August 1979 (1979-08-14)
51Episode 51Leigh SpenceJohn Upton15 August 1979 (1979-08-15)
52Episode 52Leigh SpenceSheila Sibley21 August 1979 (1979-08-21)
Bella Albredcht is murdered.
53Episode 53Marcus ColeRay Kolle22 August 1979 (1979-08-22)
54Episode 54Marcus ColeDenise Morgan28 August 1979 (1979-08-28)
55Episode 55Simon HellingsMargaret McClusky29 August 1979 (1979-08-29)
56Episode 56Simon HellingsAnne Lucas & John Wregg4 September 1979 (1979-09-04)
57Episode 57Philip EastJohn Wood5 September 1979 (1979-09-05)
58Episode 58Philip EastDave Worthington11 September 1979 (1979-09-11)
59Episode 59Leigh SpenceDenise Morgan12 September 1979 (1979-09-12)
60Episode 60Leigh SpenceMichael Brindley18 September 1979 (1979-09-18)
61Episode 61Marcus ColeIan Bradley & Anne Lucas19 September 1979 (1979-09-19)
62Episode 62Marcus ColeMargaret McClusky25 September 1979 (1979-09-25)
63Episode 63Leon ThauDenise Morgan26 September 1979 (1979-09-26)
Ros shoots Toni McNally after the court dismisses the charges against her, after a key witness is terrified into giving a false account.
64Episode 64Leon ThauSheila Sibley2 October 1979 (1979-10-02)
Toni McNally dies in hospital, meaning Ros Coulson will be charged with her murder.
65Episode 65Philip EastJohn Upton3 October 1979 (1979-10-03)
Chrissie Latham is brought back to Wentworth, to Meg's horror.
66Episode 66Simon HellingsDave Worthington16 October 1979 (1979-10-16)
67Episode 67Leigh SpenceDenise Morgan17 October 1979 (1979-10-17)
68Episode 68Leigh SpenceRay Kolle23 October 1979 (1979-10-23)
69Episode 69Marcus ColeJohn Wood24 October 1979 (1979-10-24)
Greg reveals the results of Chrissie's pregnancy test. Also, Pat's son visit Wentworth in the working party, but Vera catches them talking, putting Pat's release in jeopardy.
70Episode 70Marcus ColeJohn Wregg & Eric Scott30 October 1979 (1979-10-30)
Rosie prepares for baby Sam's first birthday, oblivious to the fact he will be taken from her when he reaches a year old. Doreen is released to the halfway house and spends an afternoon with Alice.
71Episode 71Leigh SpenceMargaret McClusky31 October 1979 (1979-10-31)
Psychiatrist Dr Weissman is called in to assess how Rosie is coping with the impending loss of her son, Sam. Vera offers Rosie some last minute advice.
72Episode 72Leigh SpenceDenise Morgan6 November 1979 (1979-11-06)
Doreen tries to come to terms with the realisation that Alice is her long lost mother. On the inside, Bea keeps an eye on the recently sentenced Ros. It's Vera's birthday and she throws herself a party.
73Episode 73Philip EastSheila Sibley7 November 1979 (1979-11-07)
Karen tries to turn Ros away when she turns up at the halfway house but is persuaded to let her stay one night. However, it's not long before the police are knocking on the halfway house door.
74Episode 74Philip EastRay Kolle13 November 1979 (1979-11-13)
With Christmas approaching, Lizzie suggests the prisoners write their annual Christmas play, so the women use the chance to ridicule the officers. A reporter takes an interest in Ros' escape story.
75Episode 75Kelvin FogartyDenise Morgan14 November 1979 (1979-11-14)
It's Christmas and the women are preparing for their play. Erica is furious following the publishing of a newspaper article on Pat, and tells Greg to choose between the prison and the halfway house.
76Episode 76Kelvin FogartyJohn Wood20 November 1979 (1979-11-20)
Lizzie is still upset, convinced Vera stole her Christmas cake. Pat's house is swarmed with police and reporters, all looking for her son David since his prison escape, but he can't stay away from her.
77Episode 77Marcus ColeJohn Wregg & Ian Bradley21 November 1979 (1979-11-21)
Chrissie helps Ros break into Greg's surgery, where she manages to steal some pills. Following the shootout, Pat is arrested and sent back to Wentworth.
78Episode 78Marcus ColeMargaret McClusky27 November 1979 (1979-11-27)
Security is increased inside the prison. Bea blames Ros, and plans to tell her when Ros is out solitary. Greg and Karen announce their engagement, oblivious to David's plans to end Greg's life.
79Episode 79Leigh SpenceMichael Harvey28 November 1979 (1979-11-28)
Karen is rushed to hospital, where she remains in a serious condition. Political activists Janet Dominguez arrives at Wentworth and is immediately put in solitary confinement.

Reception

Viewership

In 1979, Prisoner was the second most popular program in Australia, averaging at 1,494,000 viewers.[2]

Accolades

Home media
Main article: List of Prisoner home video releases

Select episodes from season one are available on both VHS and DVD formats.

Season one availabity
Title Episodes Release date Format Country Rating[lower-alpha 5][5] Ref.
Episodes 1 & 2 1993 VHS  UK BBFC: 15 [6]
Episodes 3 & 4 1993 VHS  UK BBFC: PG [7]
Episodes 5 & 6 1993 VHS  UK BBFC: PG [8]
Episodes 7 & 8 1 February 1994 VHS  UK BBFC: 15 [9]
Episodes 9 & 10 15 August 1994 VHS  UK BBFC: PG [10]
Episodes 11 & 12 7 November 1994 VHS  UK BBFC: PG [11]
Prisoner: 2[lower-alpha 6] 1–4 24 February 2003 VHS & DVD  AUS ACB: M [12]
19 December 2006 DVD  US NR [13]
Volume 1 1–16 19 October 2006 DVD  AUS ACB: M [14]
Volume 2 17–32 19 October 2006 DVD  AUS ACB: M [15]
Volume 3 33–48 20 November 2006 DVD  AUS ACB: M [16]
Volume 4 49–64 20 November 2006 DVD  AUS ACB: M [17]
Volume 5 65–79[lower-alpha 7] 17 March 2007 DVD  AUS ACB: M [18]
The Complete Collection 1–79[lower-alpha 8] 29 September 2007 DVD  AUS ACB: M [19]
Volume 1 1–32 10 November 2008 DVD  UK BBFC: 15 [20]
Volume 2 33–64 1 June 2009 DVD  UK BBFC: 15 [21]
Volume 3 65–79[lower-alpha 9] 12 October 2009 DVD  UK BBFC: 12 [22]
Volume 1–3 1–79[lower-alpha 10] 30 November 2009 DVD  UK BBFC: 15 [23]
Volume 1[lower-alpha 11] 1–32 9 March 2011 DVD  AUS ACB: M [24]
Volume 2 1–64 9 March 2011 DVD  AUS ACB: M
Volume 3 65–79 11 May 2011 DVD  AUS ACB: M [25]
The Complete Collection[lower-alpha 12] 1–79 5 October 2011 DVD  AUS ACB: M [26]
The Complete Season One 1–79 2 November 2016 DVD  AUS ACB: M [27]

Streaming

Prisoner began streaming on Network 10's service, 10Play from 1 January 2022.[28][29] The complete first season is currently available to stream.[30]

The series began streaming in the UK on Channel 5's service My5 on 1 September 2023, the first UK broadcast for 22 years.[31][32] It reached the season finale (episode 79) on 20 October 2023.[33]

Notes
  1. "Mum" Brooks was a regular character within the first sixteen episodes of the season. She returned as a recurring character from episodes 30–33 and again from episodes 61–67.
  2. Monica Ferguson first appeared in episode 15 as a recurring character; from episode 39 she became a regular character.
  3. Jim Fletcher was first credited in episode 39, although he did not make his first appearance until episode 40.
  4. Chrissie Latham originally appeared in episodes 3 & 4 as a guest character and later returned from episode 65 as the character was written back into the series by popular demand.
  5. All episodes from the UK VHS sets have been re-rated 12 for the DVD releases for violence, language, drug references, nudity, and sexual references and sexual threat
  6. Content identical in both Australia and the U.S. aside from different cover art. Released in the U.S. as "Set 2".
  7. Also contains the first episode of season 2.
  8. The entire series contains all eight seasons and 692 episodes.
  9. Also contains the first 17 episodes of season 2.
  10. Contains the complete season one and the first 17 episodes of season 2.
  11. Re-released sets in UK-style packaging.
  12. Re-release of the 2007 set.

References
  1. "CLIFFHANGERS LIST". wwwentworth.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  2. "Prisoner (1979-1986) Trivia". imdb.com. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  3. "1980 Logie Award Winners". Australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  4. "1980 – The Logie Awards". Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
  5. Classification ratings:
  6. "Prisoner Cell Block H - Episodes 1 and 2 [VHS] [1987]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  7. "Prisoner Cell Block H - Episodes 3 and 4 [VHS] [1987]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  8. "Prisoner Cell Block H - Episodes 5 and 6 [VHS] [1987]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  9. "Prisoner Cell Block H - Episodes 7 and 8 [VHS] [1987]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  10. "Prisoner Cell Block H: Episodes 9 And 10 [VHS] [1987]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  11. "Prisoner Cell Block H 11&12 [VHS]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  12. "Prisoner DVD Prisoner: Cell Block H / The Best of - Volume 2". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  13. "Prisoner: Cell Block H DVD Set 2". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  14. "Prisoner: Cell Block H - Volume 1 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  15. "Prisoner: Cell Block H - Volume 2 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  16. "Prisoner: Cell Block H - Volume 3 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  17. "Prisoner: Cell Block H - Volume 4 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  18. "Prisoner: Cell Block H - Volume 5 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  19. "Prisoner: Cell Block H DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  20. "Prisoner: Cell Block H: Volume 1 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  21. "Prisoner: Cell Block H: Volume 2 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  22. "Prisoner: Cell Block H: Volume 3 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  23. "Prisoner: Cell Block H: Volume 1-3 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  24. "Prisoner Cell Block H Volume 1 - Episodes 1-32". Booktopia.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  25. "Prisoner Cell Block H Volume 3 - Episodes 65-96". Booktopia.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  26. "Prisoner: Cell Block H DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  27. "Prisoner: The Complete Season One DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  28. Knox, David (7 December 2021). "Original Prisoner episodes to rerun on 10 Play". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  29. "Iconic TV series 'Prisoner' to stream on 10Play in 2022". OutInPerth. 18 December 2021. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  30. "Prisoner Episodes (Season 1)". 10Play. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  31. Patterson, Stephen (1 September 2023). "Prisoner: Cell Block H returns to TV at last as it streams from the very beginning". Metro. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  32. "Prisoner Cell Block H". channel5.com. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  33. "Prisoner Cell Block H Episode 79". channel5.com. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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