Allie Novak

Last updated

Allie Novak
Wentworth character
Allie Novak.jpg
Allie in First Blood
First appearance"First Blood"
10 May 2016
Last appearance"Legacy"
26 October 2021
Portrayed by Kate Jenkinson
Duration2016 – 2021
In-universe information
OccupationProstitute [1]
AffiliationRed Right Hand (formerly)
Kaz Proctor
Bea Smith
Franky Doyle (formerly)
Jake Stewart
Significant otherMarie Winter (lover)
Bea Smith (soulmate)
Ruby Mitchell (girlfriend)

Allie Novak is a fictional character from the Australian drama series Wentworth , played by Kate Jenkinson. She made her first appearance during the fourth season episode titled, "First Blood", broadcast on 10 May 2016. The character was introduced as a new prison inmate and friend of Kaz Proctor (Tammy Macintosh), participating in their vigilante group, which has a vested interest in protecting women. One story writers developed for Allie was a romance with then-central character Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack), a pairing that television critic Elaine Atwell has praised.

Contents

Casting

Kate Jenkinson had wanted a role in Wentworth since she had started watching the show while sick with the flu. [2] Jenkinson recalled that when her agent contacted her informing her of the role in Wentworth, she replied "well it's mine". [2] The actress has stated that "playing a character so “damaged and broken and colourful” is a responsibility she takes seriously." [2] Jenkinson decided to research her role by seeking out women similar to her character. Her search led her to women's outreach centers, where residents shared her own experiences and advice. [2]

Development

Allie was once a drug addicted street prostitute who suffered abuse by her clients and her pimp failed to protect her. Kaz found her and insisted on taking her under her wing. Fiercely independent, Allie had no interest in being saved by anyone but she was interested in the violent retribution the Red Right Hand was enacting. As a gay woman, Allie found solace being with women and emotional respite from a lifestyle she couldn’t escape. Kaz let Allie live with her and together they attacked the various John Goodson's who had assaulted Allie over the years. Having somewhere to sleep every night and a purpose during the day, helped ease Allie’s drug dependency. She owes Kaz a lot and now the crew has been apprehended and doing time in Wentworth, she is firmly in Kaz’s camp and her loyal compatriot.

— An excerpt taken from the character's biography on the show's official website. [1]

The sentence is Allie's second prison term. She had previously been incarcerated for assault. Despite this charge, the character is not "flustered" and actually brings "a warm and disarming wit" to the show. [1] Jenkinson told David Knox of TV Tonight that "what really attracted me to her as a person and character was this endless positivity and optimistic outlook on life. Perhaps that comes from having experienced the worst that life has to offer. She has the attitude that things can only get better." [3] Additionally, Allie was billed as "an ice-addicted prostitute with a warm and engaging wit." [3]

Storylines

Season 4

Allie approaches Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) to arrange a meeting with Kaz. Maxine Conway (Socratis Otto) warns her that Bea is in charge. Allie witnesses Maxine beating up another prisoner under Bea's orders. Allie stares at Bea's body in the shower which causes a bloody fight. [4] Governor Vera Bennet (Kate Atkinson) does not support her inmates request of conjugal visits. Allie takes part in a nude protest against her decision. Allie asks Bea for a haircut to spend time with her. [5]

Former governor Ferguson (Pamela Rabe) is placed on Allie's prison block and other inmates begin to harass her. Allie gives Boomer (Katrina Milosevic) advice about sex, knowing that Bea is listening she goes into more details to make her feel uncomfortable. Allie later apologizes to Bea and she explains her past as a prostitute and discusses ex-lovers. She also makes fun comments to Bea which are well received. [6] Joan recovers from a gang-rape attack, a scenario she manipulated into happening in order to appear as a victim towards the members of Kaz's female protection group. She begins manipulating Kaz and leads her to believe that officer Will Jackson (Robbie Magasiva) was her attacker. Kaz plans to attack Will but the plot is halted after Allie informs Bea. Kaz confronts Allie but she denies ever telling Bea their plans. [7]

Joan plants drugs in Allie's cell and she is sent to the solitary confinement block, the slot. Counsellor Bridget Westfall (Libby Tanner) visits her and she denies using drugs. Allie and Bea chat to each other through an air vent in their cell wall. They discuss their pasts and begin to bond. [8] When she is released she has to convince Kaz that the drugs were not hers. Allie visits Bea's cell and catches her self harming, she shows Bea sympathy and tends to her wounds. [9] Allie gives Bea some ointment to help conceal her self-harming scars and applies it. Bea warns Allie that she is not a lesbian. She tells Bea that she intends to leave Kaz's group and realign herself with Bea. She warns Allie not to, explaining that it will make her a target for other inmates to gain advantage against Bea. Allie kisses Bea, but unbeknown to them, Ferguson has witnessed it. [10] She continues to meet with Bea for romantic liaisons in the kitchen. Ferguson monitors their meeting times and begins a plot to murder Bea. Allie tells Bea that Kaz believes she is to blame for her vigilante group's incarceration. Kaz makes Allie join a protest, while Ferguson drugs and attacks Bea in the kitchen. Will gains evidence that Ferguson reported Kaz to the police. She rushes to save Bea from Ferguson. Allie becomes hysterical as a lifeless Bea is laid on the floor. [11] After Bea is rescued, Allie is questioned by Vera and Will, Allie denies any knowledge of what happened. When Bea believes that Kaz and Allie played her, Allie is heartbroken and begs Kaz to set the story straight which doesn't happen. Allie tries to beat Kaz up but Kaz just forcibly hugs her until she calms down. Heartbroken, Allie relapses on to the drugs and takes cocaine. [12] During the episode Smitten, Allie is flaunting herself in the exercise yard, Kaz takes Allie away when Bea refuses. When Lucy is beating Allie up in the showers, Bea and Maxine come to her aid, Allie confesses her love to Bea. Later in the episode, Bea supports Allie during cold turkey. [13] Allie and Bea start a relationship in the following episode and then proceed to consummate their relationship. After having sex, Allie goes to the showers where Ferguson gives her a hot shot. [14] Bea finds Allie in the showers and raises the alarm. Allie is transferred to hospital and placed on life support. Some time later Allie suddenly wakes up. [15]

Season 5

Days later Allie wakes up to learn that Bea has died from Joan Ferguson (Pamela Rabe). Allie then returns to Wentworth prison where she is supported by many inmates. When Ferguson goes out into the main exercise yard, Allie attack her but is quickly defeated by Ferguson. Allie then confirms to Vera that she was indeed gave a hot shot. Allie figures out that Franky Doyle (Nicole da Silva) wants to escape. Despite a previously failed attempt, Allie is still determined to avenge Bea's death and kill Ferguson. She creates a stash of drugs in her cell intending to give Ferguson a hot shot. The attempt failed and she is devastated. Franky tries to comfort Allie and tells her she wants Allie to come with her when she escapes. [16]

Reception

Elaine Atwell for AfterEllen branded the character "Kaz’s second-in-command, a rather comely blonde I have taken to calling 'Opposite-of-Vinegar-Tits'". Reflecting on Allie and Bea's show fight scenes Atwell pondered "so it is wrong, very wrong, how much I enjoyed this scene, right?" [17] Atwell later observed more scenes between Allie and Bea and drew comparisons to the German-British film Imagine Me & You . [18] She described the relationship as being a "slow burn" story. She loved the pairing but felt nervous about the outcome. [19] When the pair kissed, the critic professed "one of the most beautiful relationships I have ever had the privilege to write about." Atwell added "Oh, it’s everything. I never hoped for this, never expected it, and it is all the sweeter for being a surprise. Not just sweet, it is a balm. A healing salve on my heart, and on the scars we have all sustained lately." [20] The critic wrote about the relationship, "My feelings about this couple seem to be a bottomless well; I can pour out page after page about the way it makes me feel to see them together, and I still find new facets to marvel at." [21] The critic gave the relationship the name "Ballie". [22] The critic has stated that Allie is "kind and patient, a walking silver lining". [23] It was also written about Allie and Bea "Up until now, we’ve been in the dazed wonderland with them". [24] The critic has also accused the character of being a "violent transphobe". [25]

A writer from The Bit Bag watched the show fight scene and said that Wentworth was "really packing in heat with Allie and Bea". [26] The writer later wrote after the kiss between Allie and Bea, "This is the biggest moment Ballie fans have been waiting for (including me)!" [27] Danielle Cormack who plays Bea, stated "Kate Jenkinson as Allie Novak is just gorgeous and brings this great heart to the show." [28]

Related Research Articles

<i>Prisoner</i> (TV series) Australian television drama series

Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera, which broadcast on Network Ten from February 27 (Melbourne) February 26 (Sydney) 1979 to December 1986 (Melbourne), though the series finale would not screen until September 1987 in Sydney, where it aired as a 3-hour film that was split into three 1-hour episodes at the much-later time-slot of 10.30pm, running eight seasons and 692 episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy MacIntosh</span> Australian actress

Tammy MacIntosh is an Australian actress known for portraying Dr. Charlotte Beaumont in the medical drama All Saints and Jool in the TV series Farscape. She is also known for her roles on television series The Flying Doctors, Police Rescue, Sea Patrol, the television film McLeod's Daughters which led to the acclaimed drama series of the same title, and played the role of Kaz Proctor in the prison drama series Wentworth, until her departure in June 2019.

Kate Jenkinson is an Australian actress, known for her various roles on The Wedge, as well as her role of Kendall Quinn on Super Fun Night. She is known for her role as Allie Novak in the Australian TV series Wentworth.

<i>Wentworth</i> (TV series) Australian television series

Wentworth is an Australian television drama series. It was first broadcast on SoHo on 1 May 2013, and it concluded on Fox Showcase with its 100th episode on 26 October 2021. The series serves as a contemporary reimagining of Prisoner, which ran on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986. Lara Radulovich and David Hannam developed Wentworth from Reg Watson's original concept. The series is set in the modern day and initially focuses on Bea Smith's early days in prison and her subsequent rise to the top of the prison's hierarchy. From the fifth season onward, the series shifted to emphasize more of an ensemble format.

<i>Wentworth</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the television drama series Wentworth premiered on SoHo in Australia on 7 April 2015. It was executively produced by FremantleMedia's Director of Drama, Jo Porter. The season comprises 12 episodes. Season three picks up four months after Bea's return to Wentworth following her escape and revenge murder of Brayden Holt.

Bea Smith (<i>Wentworth</i>) Fictional character

Bea Smith is a fictional character from the Australian television drama Wentworth, portrayed by Danielle Cormack. She was introduced in the first episode of the series "No Place Like Home", broadcast in May 2013. Bea is notable for her storylines of being abused by her husband Harry, avenging the death of her daughter by murdering Brayden Holt and being the top dog in Wentworth Prison. Bea has had rivalries with Franky Doyle, Jacs Holt, Kaz Proctor and Joan Ferguson. Bea was the central character in Wentworth until her exit at the end of Season 4.

Franky Doyle (<i>Wentworth</i>) Fictional character

Francesca Rose Doyle is a main character, former protagonist and a former prisoner of Wentworth Correctional Centre. She served mainly as the primary antagonist for season 2, before becoming a protagonist for season 3. In season 4, Franky was released from Wentworth after she fought for her innocence, and began her career as a legal aide. She returned for seasons 5 and 6 as the series' main protagonist, until her release and subsequent departure from the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxine Conway</span> Fictional character

Maxine Conway is a recurring character from Wentworth, portrayed by actor Socratis Otto. Maxine is notable for being Bea Smith's bodyguard and also for being transgender within the series. She was dating Gary until she stabbed him.

Bridget Westfall is a recurring character in Australian television drama Wentworth. Bridget is introduced as the prison's new psychologist to help the inmates. She is portrayed by Libby Tanner. Bridget is notable for her relationship with Franky Doyle, which proved popular with fans of the television series. Other main storylines have involved Bridget's friendship with prison officer/governor Vera Bennett, Bridget's support and assistance to other prisoners, and helping to reveal Ferguson's true colors.

Jessica Warner is a fictional character from the Australian television series Wentworth, portrayed by Georgia Chara. She made her first appearance during the season episode "The Danger Within," broadcast on 10 June 2014. Jess was murdered in the final episode of the third season.

William Jackson is a character in Wentworth Prison. Will is portrayed by Robbie Magasiva. Will is notable for his friendships with Matthew Fletcher and Bea Smith. Will has also been involved in a one-sided rivalry with Joan Ferguson.

Joan Ferguson (<i>Wentworth</i>) Fictional character

Joan Ferguson is a fictional character in the Australian television series Wentworth, who serves as the main antagonist from season two to season five. Joan is portrayed by actress Pamela Rabe. Her storylines centre on rivalries with Will Jackson, Bea Smith and most staff and inmates. She is introduced in Season 2 as the new Governor of Wentworth Prison following Erica Davidson being fired but becomes a prisoner in Season 4 and remained until the end of the fifth season. The character was presumed dead between the sixth and seventh season, when she was revealed to be alive in the latter. She returned in the eight and final season.

<i>Wentworth</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the television drama series Wentworth premiered on SoHo in Australia on 10 May 2016. It was executively produced by FremantleMedia's Director of Drama, Jo Porter. The season comprises 12 episodes. Season four picks up four months after the fire at Wentworth.

"No Place Like Home" is the first episode of the Australian TV series Wentworth. This episode introduces the major characters and focuses on protagonist Bea Smith being introduced to and trying to fit into prison life, while flashbacks reveal her domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and the circumstances that result in her coming to Wentworth.

Karen "Kaz" Proctor was a main character in the television series Wentworth. Kaz is introduced as one of Bea's supporters and is in a vigilante group called The Red Right Hand. Kaz is portrayed by Tammy MacIntosh. Kaz's main storylines have centred on her idolizing of Bea Smith and being a vigilante against men who abuse women.

"Fear Her" is the twelfth episode of the second season of the Australian television drama Wentworth, and the twenty-second episode overall. The plot of the episode sees Bea Smith take her revenge against Brayden Holt after escaping from the hospital during the previous episode. Other storylines focus on Franky Doyle's downfall as top dog, Doreen Anderson telling Nash Taylor about their baby, and Liz Birdsworth being re-arrested after being found in possession of a murder weapon.

"First Blood" is the thirty-fifth episode of the Australian drama series Wentworth. It is also the first episode of the show's fourth season, and was broadcast on 10 May 2016. The episode's story begins four months after the events of the previous episode, "Blood and Fire". "First Blood" saw the introduction of Kate Jenkinson's character Allie Novak, former prison Governor Joan returning as an inmate and the beginning of a rivalry between central character Bea Smith and Kaz Proctor. The episode also includes scenes set outside the prison, which follow Franky Doyle, a former inmate who is released on parole. It was the first episode of the show to be filmed at a new rebuilt set. It has received generally positive reviews from television critics. Reviews regarding scenes in which Joan is incarcerated in a glass-walled cell were less favourable.

<i>Wentworth</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth season of the television drama series Wentworth premiered on Showcase in Australia on 4 April 2017, having previously aired on SoHo, and concluded on 20 June 2017. It was executive produced by FremantleMedia's Director of Drama, Jo Porter. The season comprised 12 episodes. The fifth season picks up just days after the death of Bea Smith and is therefore noted as the first season not to feature Danielle Cormack.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Allie Novak Character profile". SoHo. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Wentworth has a new inmate in season four, actress Kate Jenkinson". News.com.au . News Corp Australia. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 Knox, David (17 May 2016). "Kate Jenkinson got the Wentworth call". TV Tonight . Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Kevin Carlin (director), John Ridley (writer) (10 May 2016). "First Blood". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 35. SoHo.
  5. ↑ Kevin Carlin (director), Marcia Gardner (writer) (17 May 2016). "Poking Spiders". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 36. SoHo.
  6. ↑ Steve Jodrell (director), Pete McTighe (writer) (24 May 2016). "Prisoner". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 37. SoHo.
  7. ↑ Steve Jodrell (director), Michael Lucas (writer) (31 May 2016). "Screw Lover". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 38. SoHo.
  8. ↑ Jet Wilkinson (director), John Ridley (writer) (7 June 2016). "Love and Hate". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 39. SoHo.
  9. ↑ Jet Wilkinson (director), Marcia Gardner (writer) (14 June 2016). "Divide and Conquer". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 40. SoHo.
  10. ↑ Adrian Russell Wills (director), Pete McTighe (writer) (21 June 2016). "Panic Button". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 41. SoHo.
  11. ↑ Adrian Russell Wills (director), Michael Lucas (writer) (28 June 2016). "Plan Bea". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 42. SoHo.
  12. ↑ "Afterlife". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 43. 5 July 2016. SoHo.
  13. ↑ "Smitten". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 44. 12 July 2016. SoHo.
  14. ↑ "Eleventh Hour". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 45. 17 July 2016. SoHo.
  15. ↑ "Seeing Red". Wentworth . Series 4. Episode 46. 24 July 2016. SoHo.
  16. ↑ "Scars". Wentworth . Series 5. Episode 47. 4 April 2017. SoHo.
  17. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (4.1): What's new, Pussycat? - Page 3". AfterEllen . 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  18. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (4.6): Kween Bea and Allie Cat - Page 4". AfterEllen . 9 June 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  19. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (4.6): Losing Dory". AfterEllen . Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  20. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (5.7): "I don't care what you are"". AfterEllen . 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  21. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (4.8): Fuck The Labels - Page 1". AfterEllen . 30 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  22. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (4.8): Fuck The Labels - Page 5". AfterEllen . 30 June 2016. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  23. ↑ Atwell, Elaine (15 July 2016). ""Wentworth" recap (4.10): Save Me". AfterEllen. p. 1. Archived from the original on 16 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  24. ↑ Atwell, Elaine (15 July 2016). ""Wentworth" recap (4.10): Save Me". AfterEllen. p. 4. Archived from the original on 18 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  25. ↑ ""Wentworth" recap (4.3): Survivors - Page 2". AfterEllen . 4 June 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  26. ↑ "Wentworth Season 4 Episode 1 Recap: Who Is Ferguson Controlling? (Part 2)". The Bit Bag. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  27. ↑ "Wentworth Season 4 Episode 7 Recap: Ferguson Kills & Where to Watch Online". The Bit Bag. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "Wentworth: Danielle Cormack opens up about life behind Wentworth prison walls". Foxtel. 21 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.