| Bad Girls | |
|---|---|
| Season 5 | |
 Re-release Region 2 DVD | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Original release | 8 May – 21 August 2003 |
| Series chronology | |
The fifth series of Bad Girls was broadcast on ITV from 8 May 2003 and concluded on 21 August 2003, it was the third and final series to feature 16 episodes.
It is discovered Shaz Wiley died during the fire cliffhanger of series 4, her girlfriend Denny Blood (Alicya Eyo) is determined to get revenge on Snowball Merriman (Nicole Faraday) for setting off the bomb. Escapee Shell Dockley (Debra Stephenson) is found in Amsterdam by Jim Fenner (Jack Ellis) and other male officers from Larkhall.
Heavily pregnant, Shell is returned to Larkhall, where she is reunited with Denny. Shell tricks Snowball into thinking they can be friends and she can give her a makeover, which results in Denny and Shell setting Snowball's hair on fire, and they both begin bullying her. Fenner pimps Shell by offering her money to give the male officers a handjob. After the baby's birth, officer Colin Hedges tries to force her to have sex, when she violently refuses, Fenner makes it seem as if she tried to smother her baby. Shell is transferred to a mental home and her baby is taken into care.
Things go from bad to worse for Snowball, with the prisoners refusing to forgive her, constantly heckling, taunting and insulting her at every opportunity and giving her raw food to eat. Snowball tries numerous escape tactics all with disastrous consequences, first she accidentally shoots her boyfriend Richie Atkins, resulting in him becoming paralysed, they later have a suicide pact which goes wrong, resulting in Richie dying, but not Snowball. Richie's mother Yvonne Atkins (Linda Henry) who hates Snowball later helps her commit suicide.
Sylvia Hollamby's (Helen Fraser) husband Bobby commits suicide leaving her in financial debt. New prisoners The "Costa Cons", Bev Tull (Amanda Barrie) and Phyl Oswyn (Stephanie Beacham) arrive and after convincing Denny they can contact Shaz' spirit, Hollamby falls for it and gets them to contact her late husband. Babs Hunt (Isabelle Amyes) marries the former prison chaplain, Henry Mills – bad news for Sylvia, who had set her sights on Henry after she was widowed when her husband Bobby committed suicide.
The ongoing feud between Fenner and Wing Governor Karen Betts (Claire King) reaches its climax as Fenner ruthlessly frames Karen for a hit-and-run accident in which a man dies. Neil Grayling divorces Di, and comes out as gay, also giving Di the job of wing governor, as long as she carries his baby, which she has actually aborted. Di and Fenner grow close.
Julie Saunders is diagnosed with breast cancer and takes the decision to take her chances without chemotherapy treatment. This causes a rift between the two Julies and their new friend Julie O'Kane (Victoria Bush) who decides to change her name again, this time to Tina O'Kane.
New prison officer Selena Geeson (Charlotte Lucas) and new inmate Kris Yates (Jennifer Ness) are in a relationship. Kris is taking the rap for killing her abusive father in order to spare her younger sister, the real culprit. Fenner's nefarious ways continue when he kills Yvonne as she tries to escape Larkhall, by ensuring that she will be trapped in the "hanging cell", a small room beneath the main prison that is blocked off from the outside world.
The final episode sees the last appearances for Denny, Yvonne, Barbara, Buki and Reverend Henry.
Main
Special guest
Recurring
| Guest
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Series 5 was broadcast on Thursdays at 9:00pm.
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 1 | "Episode One" | Mike Adams | Ann McManus & Maureen Chadwick | 8 May 2003 | 8.36 | |
Fenner joins some of his P.O mates on a lads' weekend in Amsterdam. They're all very taken with erotic dancer, Nikki, until they realise that her face is uncomfortably familiar. Denny vows to get revenge on Snowball. Babs tries to adjust to being deaf. Al and Tina plot to get a pardon like Cassie and Roisin. Sylvia and Bobby's lives are turned upside down when they are declared bankrupt. Snowball continues to try to escape to be with Richie. Note: guest starring Debra Stephenson as Shell Dockley; first appearance of Colin Hedges (Tristan Sturrock) | |||||||
| 57 | 2 | "Episode Two" | Mike Adams | Jaden Clark | 15 May 2003 | 7.88 | |
Shell arrives back on G-Wing and, with Denny, plan revenge on Snowball for Shaz's death. Fenner also has plans for Shell. Snowball retrieves her gun from its hiding place at Shaz's memorial and starts to put her escape plan into action, with the unwilling help of Karen. Bobby goes to an unsuccessful interview at Larkhall, resulting in his breakdown. Di is harassed by "Gnasher", an alias that Al and Tina are using. Babs gets her hearing back and reveals Snowball's plans to Yvonne, who makes plans of her own to stop Snowball and Richie. Note: final appearance of Bobby Hollamby (guest star Geoffrey Hutchings) | |||||||
| 58 | 3 | "Episode Three" | Jim Loach | Phil Ford | 22 May 2003 | 7.63 | |
Sylvia is left distraught by Bobby's actions. The Costa Cons, Phyl Oswyn and Bev Tull, arrive at Larkhall with a suitcase full of gin bottles and are immediately disgusted by the squalid conditions on G-Wing. Snowball's escape backfires and Richie is shot. Di catches Tina and Al in the middle of their crazy plan and puts a stop to it. Also, Buki returns to G-Wing, while Shell is the only one who is not convinced by the Costa Cons. Plus, Snowball poisons herself. Note: first appearance of Phyl Oswyn (Stephanie Beacham) and Bev Tull (Amanda Barrie) | |||||||
| 59 | 4 | "Episode Four" | Jim Loack | Guy Picot | 29 May 2003 | 6.92 | |
Shell goes into labour. After being forced to fend off Colin Hedges' advances, Shell threatens to blow the whistle on Fenner and his pimping scheme, a decision which ultimately brings about disaster. Sylvia becomes the Costa Cons' latest sucker. Di uses "Gnasher" to get at Neil. The privatisation team arrive and upset the prisoners and some officers alike. Snowball makes another attempt to see Richie. Note: final appearance of Shell Dockley (guest star Debra Stephenson) | |||||||
| 60 | 5 | "Episode Five" | A.J. Quinn | Phil Ford | 5 June 2003 | 7.10 | |
Di is finding life with Neil increasingly frustrating, and when he starts entertaining his one-night stands at the marital home, it's the last straw. Sylvia cuts all her connections with Phyl and Bev. | |||||||
| 61 | 6 | "Episode Six" | A.J. Quinn | Phil Ford | 12 June 2003 | 6.62 | |
Snowball attempts to convince Neil that she has changed. Di plans to get pregnant, with the help of Neil's boyfriend. One of Phyl and Bev's many business ventures comes to light when Colin discovers the drugs stash hidden behind their mirror, but given his own little habit, it's unlikely that he'll be shopping them. Also, the Costa Cons' have another plan for booze, in the garden. | |||||||
| 62 | 7 | "Episode Seven" | A.J. Quinn | Jaden Clark | 19 June 2003 | 6.76 | |
Fenner plans to set up Yvonne but Colin puts a stop to it. The presence of the media and a celebrity guest at HMP Larkhall gives the women a perfect opportunity to make a very public protest about the prison's forthcoming privatisation. Phyl and Bev are transferred to an open prison. Di's plans for pregnancy are a success. Snowball and Richie make a pact to die together but only one of them dies. | |||||||
| 63 | 8 | "Episode Eight" | Julie Edwards | Ann McManus & Maureen Chadwick | 26 June 2003 | 6.36 | |
Julie S finds a lump on her breast and worries that it could be cancer. Colin escorts Yvonne to Richie's funeral and is placed in a very difficult position when Fenner plants a bag of cocaine on her upon their return. | |||||||
| 64 | 9 | "Episode Nine" | Julie Edwards | Liz Lake | 3 July 2003 | 6.53 | |
Julie S struggles to come to terms with the reality of her mastectomy and the prospect of a debilitating course of chemotherapy. Colin tells Karen about Fenner setting up Yvonne. Yvonne and Colin grow closer. Neil is adamant on kicking Di out, despite her being pregnant. | |||||||
| 65 | 10 | "Episode Ten" | Laurence Moody | Jo O'Keefe | 10 July 2003 | 6.57 | |
Karen persuades Neil to take Snowball out of solitary confinement in the hope that it will lift her spirits, but all Snowball wants is to be reunited with Richie. Yvonne is roped into protecting Snowball but she helps her to be with Richie. Fenner becomes Tina's knight in shining armour when he moves her out of the Four Bed Dorm away from nasty Al and Buki. Di's infidelity is revealed when she and Neil are tested for syphilis. | |||||||
| 66 | 11 | "Episode Eleven" | Laurence Moody | Di Burrows | 17 July 2003 | 6.58 | |
Snowball's suicide note makes some serious allegations against Fenner, which in light of the accusations made against him by Karen and Helen could get him into serious trouble. Di has her pregnancy terminated but doesn't inform Neil or Tony. Fenner and Tina plan to set up Yvonne. Karen is sacked by Neil. Note: final appearance of Snowball Merriman (Nicole Faraday) | |||||||
| 67 | 12 | "Episode Twelve" | Jim Loach | Liz Lake | 24 July 2003 | 6.53 | |
Karen and Neil come to a compromise. Di and Neil reveal their split, in which Neil outs himself, and plans for surrogacy. A familiar face is welcomed back to Larkhall as old-timer Noreen Biggs arrives back on G-Wing. Unfortunately, she won't be enjoying Her Majesty's for long as she hasn't got long to live. Noreen tries to talk Tina round that Fenner is using her but Yvonne makes her see the light. | |||||||
| 68 | 13 | "Episode Thirteen" | Jim Loack | Liz Lake | 31 July 2003 | 6.56 | |
Julie S returns to Larkhall. Phyl and Bev are transferred back to Larkhall. Denny shows off her talent for art. Legal proceedings begin for Al, who is up for life for murdering Virginia. Henry quits and plans to marry Babs. Fenner breaks into Karen's flat and sees all of the evidence she's amassed against him. Deciding he must take action, he sneaks out with her car keys, coat and a bottle of alcohol. Karen is arrested the following morning. Note: final appearance of Karen Betts (Claire King) until a guest appearance in Series 6; first appearance of Selena Geeson (Charlotte Lucas) | |||||||
| 69 | 14 | "Episode Fourteen" | Jim Loack | Di Burrows | 7 August 2003 | 6.43 | |
Di becomes Wing Governor. Yvonne plans to get rid of Fenner for good. Bev and Phyl forge some of Denny's artwork. Buki finally meets her son, Lennox, with the help of Christopher Biggins. Di and Fenner go on a date and get intimate. New inmate, lifer Kris Yates arrives at Larkhall and makes a big impression on everyone, so much so that new officer Selena Geeson requests that she be Kris' personal officer. Note: first appearance of Kris Yates (Jennifer Ness) | |||||||
| 70 | 15 | "Episode Fifteen" | Julie Edwards | Di Burrows | 14 August 2003 | 6.54 | |
Di fakes a miscarriage. Denny's planned art exhibition suffers a setback as a result of Phyl and Bev's eye on the bigger picture and the money they will squeeze out of their protege. Kris reveals she has an escape plan but Yvonne does not want to be a part of it. Yvonne's plan to fix Fenner goes into effect. | |||||||
| 71 | 16 | "Episode Sixteen" | Julie Edwards | Liz Lake | 21 August 2003 | 6.78 | |
Babs and Henry get married but Henry's brother leaves when he objects. Buki is looking forward to her release and Denny is transferred to an open prison. Yvonne gives into Kris and makes a bid for freedom by slipping into the cavernous depths of the prison, but Fenner is hot on her heels, intent on sorting her out once and for all, and in the most horrific manner imaginable. Note: final appearance of Denny Blood (Alicya Eyo); final appearance of Yvonne Atkins (Linda Henry); final appearance of Barbara Hunt (Isabelle Amyes); final appearance of Buki Lester (Kim Oliver). | |||||||
| No. | Title | Air date | Timeslot | Weekly ratings | Ref(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viewers | Rank | |||||
| 1 | Episode 1 | 8 May 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 8,360,000 | 17 | [1] |
| 2 | Episode 2 | 15 May 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 7,880,000 | 15 | [1] |
| 3 | Episode 3 | 22 May 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 7,630,000 | 12 | [1] |
| 4 | Episode 4 | 29 May 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,920,000 | 11 | [1] |
| 5 | Episode 5 | 5 June 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 7,100,000 | 14 | [1] |
| 6 | Episode 6 | 12 June 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,620,000 | 12 | [1] |
| 7 | Episode 7 | 19 June 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,760,000 | 12 | [1] |
| 8 | Episode 8 | 26 June 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,360,000 | 14 | [1] |
| 9 | Episode 9 | 3 July 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,530,000 | 13 | [1] |
| 10 | Episode 10 | 10 July 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,570,000 | 13 | [1] |
| 11 | Episode 11 | 17 July 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,580,000 | 14 | [1] |
| 12 | Episode 12 | 24 July 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,530,000 | 15 | [1] |
| 13 | Episode 13 | 31 July 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,560,000 | 15 | [1] |
| 14 | Episode 14 | 7 August 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,430,000 | 14 | [1] |
| 15 | Episode 15 | 14 August 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,540,000 | 14 | [1] |
| 16 | Episode 16 | 21 August 2003 | Thursday 9:00 pm | 6,780,000 | 13 | [1] |
Bad Girls is a British television drama series that was broadcast on ITV from 1 June 1999 until 20 December 2006. It was created by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus of Shed Productions, who initiated the idea of developing a series primarily focusing on the inmates and staff of the fictional women's prison, Larkhall, located in the South London region. Following the success of previous series Within These Walls and the Australian-imported Prisoner: Cell Block H, both of which screened on ITV, Bad Girls was commissioned by the network and was viewed as a realistic, modern portrayal of life in a women's prison. The series featured a large ensemble cast, including Linda Henry, Claire King, Simone Lahbib, Mandana Jones, Debra Stephenson, Jack Ellis, Alicya Eyo, Helen Fraser, Kika Mirylees, Victoria Alcock, James Gaddas, Victoria Bush, Dannielle Brent and Liz May Brice.
Alicya Eyo is an English actress, best known for her roles as Denny Blood in the ITV prison drama series Bad Girls and Ruby Haswell in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
Kathleen "Kat" Slater is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jessie Wallace. She was also played by Kate Peck in a flashback in 2001 and Sumar-Elise Sandford in a flashback in 2018. Kat is the second eldest Slater family sister and first appeared on 18 September 2000. Kat's usual dress is very short skirts and leopard-print tops, with much make-up and heavy fake tan. Her initial stint saw her involved in many storylines, most significantly in a plot twist that sees her supposedly sister Zoe Slater, revealed to be her daughter after she was raped by her uncle Harry Slater as a child. Kat and Zoe's relationship is tested several times, and a feud forms when they compete against each other for the affection of Anthony Trueman. Another key aspect to the character's storylines is her marriage to Alfie Moon, prior to which she became briefly engaged to Andy Hunter ; after Kat jilted Andy on their wedding day, he blackmailed her into sleeping with him in his revenge bid against Alfie and Kat. Kat was absent between November 2004 and May 2005 following Wallace's maternity leave, but returned early to tie in with Zoe’s exit storyline. Kat later left the soap on 25 December 2005.
Dean Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Matt Di Angelo. He made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that the characters of Deano and his sister Carly Wicks were being axed by executive producer Diederick Santer. Deano made his final appearance on 7 February 2008. On 15 January 2014, it was announced that Deano, now called Dean, would be returning and he first reappeared on 11 April of that year. Di Angelo took a three-month break from the soap from January to April 2015, with a one-off appearance in February to tie in with the show's 30th anniversary celebrations. In October 2015, it was announced that Di Angelo would leave the show in early 2016. The character is arrested for attempted rape with his final scenes set in court airing on 4 and 5 February 2016. On 19 August 2016, Dean is acquitted of attempted rape after standing trial off-screen. On 30 October 2023, Di Angelo made an unannounced return as Dean. On 15 July 2024, it was announced Di Angelo had finished filming with the show and Dean departed on 4 September 2024.
Helen Fraser is a retired English actress, who has appeared in many television series since the early 1960s. For international audiences, she may be best known for her roles in Billy Liar (1963) and Repulsion (1965). She is also well known in Britain for portraying the role of miserable warder Sylvia Hollamby in the prison drama series Bad Girls. She appeared in the series from the first episode in 1999 until the last in 2006.
Linda Valiris is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Yvonne Atkins in the ITV prison drama series Bad Girls and Shirley Carter in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She had previously appeared in EastEnders as the original Lorraine Salter, the mother of Mandy Salter, from 1991 to 1992. Her other acting credits include Cracker (1995), Prime Suspect (1997) and Trial & Retribution (1998). She has also appeared in the films Beautiful Thing (1996) and The Business (2005).
Charity Dingle-Boyd is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by Emma Atkins. Suranne Jones originally auditioned for the role of Charity prior to Atkins being cast in the role. The actress began filming her first scenes in February 2000, and she made her first screen appearance as Charity during the episode broadcast on 30 March 2000. Actress Mica Proctor played a young Charity in a flashback episode about the character's past, which aired on 29 May 2018.
James Graham "Jim" Fenner is a fictional character in the British television series Bad Girls, portrayed by Jack Ellis. The character was a prominent feature on the show for seven series, and played the role of a prison officer, temporary prison governor and a villainous figure who schemed and made life for inmates difficult. He was at one point imprisoned for death by dangerous driving but was released when his wife, Di Barker, falsified evidence to clear his name. He returned to his job at Larkhall as G-Wing Governor, and shortly before his death was promoted to Acting Governing Governor. Ellis left Bad Girls at the end of the seventh series when his character was murdered by inmate Julie Johnston.
Bad Girls: The Musical is a stage musical based on the ITV prison drama series Bad Girls, with a book by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus, and music and lyrics by Kath Gotts.
Michelle "Shell" Dockley is a fictional character from the award-winning prison drama series Bad Girls. She is portrayed by British actress Debra Stephenson. Shell was one of the lead characters in the series. Shell appeared from the first episode in Series 1 until the last episode of Series 3, and returned for the first four episodes of Series 5. Dockley is the most feared inmate of the prison's ‘G Wing’, and commits several crimes, including smuggling drugs into the prison, stabbing prison officer Jim Fenner, and planning for Denny to set Snowball Merriman's hair on fire.
Sylvia Violet Hollamby is one of the longest-running characters in the award-winning prison drama series Bad Girls. Portrayed by Helen Fraser from the first episode in 1999 until the last in 2006, Hollamby was the longest-serving prison officer on the show with convicts Julie Johnston and Julie Saunders being the only other characters to remain for all eight series.
Yvonne Atkins is a fictional character from the award-winning prison drama series Bad Girls. Portrayed by Linda Henry, Yvonne first appeared in the finale episode of Series 1. She played a prominent role in Series 2, 3, 4 and 5 as Top Dog of G-Wing, until she was murdered by Jim Fenner in the last episode of Series 5.
Natalie Buxton is a fictional character in the prison drama series Bad Girls, portrayed by Dannielle Brent during the last three series. She mainly featured in an antagonistic role and was killed off towards the end of the final series. She subsequently returned as a ghost in the 2006 Christmas Special, which was also the series finale. The role was originally offered to Danniella Westbrook.
The first series of Bad Girls premiered on ITV on 1 June 1999, and ended on 3 August 1999. It consists of ten episodes. The show was produced by Shed Productions as part of Shed Media. After the first episode aired, the show became an instant hit in the United Kingdom. The show also became successful in several countries including the United States, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
The second series of Bad Girls began on ITV on 4 April 2000. The first episode, "Tug of Love", opened with 9.44 million viewers. The ninth episode of series two, "The Leaving", was the highest-rated episode of the entire run of the series between 1999 and 2006, with 9.49 million viewers. The second series ended on 4 July 2000; it consists of 13 episodes.
Bad Girls returned to ITV with its third series on 20 March 2001 and ended on 3 July 2001. It consists of 16 episodes.
The fourth series of Bad Girls was broadcast on ITV from 28 February 2002, concluded on 13 June 2002 and featured 16 episodes.
The sixth series of British drama series Bad Girls premiered on 14 April 2004. It consists of twelve episodes. The first four episodes were broadcast on Wednesday nights, with episode five moved to Monday and episodes six to eight broadcast over consecutive nights beginning the following Monday. After a 12-week hiatus, due to UEFA Euro 2004, the remaining four episodes of the series were screened Monday nights and concluded on 23 August 2004.
The seventh series of British drama series Bad Girls premiered on ITV on 10 May 2005. The series concluded on 19 December 2005 with a Christmas Special. Series Seven consists of thirteen episodes.