Wentworth (season 7)

The seventh season of television drama series Wentworth premiered on Fox Showcase in Australia on 28 May 2019.[1] It is executive produced by FremantleMedia's director of drama, Jo Porter. The seventh season picks up a few months after the events of last season's finale, the presumed closure of the case of Joan Ferguson and the subsequent arrest of former acting Governor, Derek Channing.

Wentworth
Season 7
Region 4 DVD cover
Starring
Country of originAustralia
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkFox Showcase
Original release28 May (2019-05-28) –
30 July 2019 (2019-07-30)
Season chronology

This season introduces multiple new recurring characters, Dr. Greg Miller (David de Lautour), Sean Brody (Rick Donald), Narelle Stang (Morgana O'Reilly), and Kylee Webb (Geraldine Hakewill).

Plot

With the case of Joan Ferguson presumably closed, a significantly pregnant Vera and her co-conspirators in the Freak's demise, Will and Jake, are off the hook... at least for now. Meanwhile, Wentworth's eclectic mix of misfits are fracturing as the powers of love, deception and revenge threaten to break them apart for good. The onset of dementia finds Liz clutching at any semblance of hope, while Boomer has to deal with her feelings after the break-up of her family.[2]

Cast
Main article: List of Wentworth characters
Promotional image of the cast.

Episodes
See also: List of Wentworth episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateAus. viewers
711"Blood Wedding"Kevin CarlinMarcia Gardner28 May 2019 (2019-05-28)89,000[3]
Three months have passed; Rita is released from solitary and Marie returns from her court hearing, having both discovered they are to serve 15 years for their crimes. Rita and Kaz decide to band together to protect themselves from Marie's wrath. A new psychiatrist, Greg Miller, arrives, and Liz, whose condition is rapidly deteriorating, is in fear of ending up in the psychiatric unit. Vera and her baby's life are placed in jeopardy, which leads her to temporarily step down as prison governor. Will assumes the role of acting governor. Rita agrees to marry Ray, however, tragedy suddenly strikes on the day of their wedding.
722"Payback"Kevin CarlinJohn Ridley4 June 2019 (2019-06-04)96,000[4]
Rita and Kaz team up to bring Marie down, as Jake continues his jealous streak due to Vera becoming more attached to the new prison psychiatrist Dr Miller, who takes an interest in Liz. Boomer continues to tick items off of Liz's bucket list. Following interviews for the acting deputy's position, Linda Miles is appointed to the role. This irks Jake, who resents being sidelined by Will and Vera. Allie almost falls into an old habit when she is used as a drug mule. Kaz then enacts the plan to take out Marie alone, rolling an explosive into her cell. Marie screams in horror as she is unable to escape.
733"Atonement"Jonathan BroughMax Conroy11 June 2019 (2019-06-11)88,000[5]
Kaz is sent to isolation for everyone's safety while Marie recovers from burn injuries on her arms in the infirmary. The Kaz-Marie conflict is complicated by the arrival of Narelle Stang, the sister of a disabled man that Kaz and Allie crippled. Sean Brody, an old colleague of Jake's from Walford prison, also joins the corrections team. Marie seduces Will, who allows her to print documents. The prison spirals out of control and Linda and Will struggle in their new position to get the drug problem under control. Kaz is released from isolation after being assessed by Greg. She considers apologizing to Marie but changes her mind after seeing Marie caressing Will. Kaz confesses to Narelle that she hurt her brother, prompting Narelle to demand that Rita kill Kaz.
744"Karen"Jonathan BroughPete McTighe18 June 2019 (2019-06-18)86,000[6]
Narelle continues to pressure Rita into killing Kaz for hurting her brother whilst Marie is discharged from the medical unit. Ticking an item off her bucket list, Liz has sex with a male prostitute but he dies of a heart attack. Sean and Linda come up with a plan to hide his body. Vera discovers that her baby is a girl, leading her to question her parenting skills. Kaz, after learning the identity of Marie’s protector, rushes to find Allie, but is interrupted by Greg, who tells her they have a session. During this session, Kaz is finally able to let go of her troubled childhood and states she is proud of the woman she has become. However, this monologue is cut short when a hooded assailant shockingly slashes her throat. After unsuccessfully stumbling around, trying to find someone to help her, Wentworth’s “Top Dog” manages to write a cryptic “M” in her own blood, before dying a lonely death on the ground.
755"Ascension"Beck ColePete McTighe25 June 2019 (2019-06-25)86,000[7]
The prisoners and staff mourn the loss of their "Top Dog" Kaz, while the hunt is on for the person who murdered her. Tensions remain very high as the investigation into the death stirs up emotions for everyone. Liz, who is suffering from dementia, initially believes that she killed Kaz in a fit of madness but is cleared. While many of the women believe that Marie murdered Kaz, she is able to frame the drug dealer Vicky Kosta for Kaz's murder by planting her missing blood-stained hoodie in Kosta's drug stash. Following Kosta's arrest, Marie is able to convince the women to vote her as their new Top Dog by promising to honour Kaz's legacy.
766"Mother"Beck ColeJohn Ridley2 July 2019 (2019-07-02)72,000[8]
After being clear of Kaz's murder, Vicky is released from the slot and is determined to pay Marie back for setting her up. Boomer is out on day release and tries to reconnect with her estranged mother May. However, the two end up back at Wentworth when May tries to steal cans of baby formula for drug manufacturing. Dr. Miller finds himself in breach of contract regarding Liz's medical trial when it is discovered that he failed to document some important information. Jake is suspended following false allegations that he sexually harassed Sean. Marie finally uncovers the truth about Danny's death, and is hellbent on making Ruby suffer.
777"Bad Blood"Fiona BanksMarcia Gardner9 July 2019 (2019-07-09)94,000[9]
Ruby is rushed to hospital for urgent surgery for a burst brain aneurysm. Marie taunts a distraught Rita, who slashes her wrists and subsequently is put in isolation. Marie Winters leaks information to her lawyer incriminating the disgraced regional manager Derek Channing for his involvement in prostitution. Jake blackmails Sean into dropping the sexual harassment complaints against him while Vera learns the true nature of his relationship with Sean. Allie finally begins to see Marie's true colours and requests a cell change after learning Ruby's fate. Liz asserts her authority over the troublesome May. Against Governor Jackson's orders, Vera allows Rita to visit Ruby in hospital. Ruby wakes up from her coma. Vera returns Rita to her isolation cell but is caught by Jackson when she returns the next morning.
788"Protection"Fiona BanksMax Conroy16 July 2019 (2019-07-16)103,000[10]
Marie starts losing the support of the inmates including Allie as suspicion of her role in Ruby's poisoning grows. Ruby is released from hospital to the delight of Rita and her friends. Marie's mysterious protector sends a criminal disguised as a nurse to assassinate her but Rita saves her life; ending the conflict between the two women. Later, Marie's protector, a senior government official and Sean's pedophilic mentor, arranges for Sean and an unsuspecting Linda to bring Marie for a secret meeting. Marie's protector wants to kill her but Marie blackmails him by claiming she has a copy of incriminating photos. This incident turns Linda against Sean and leads her to turn to Jake for support. Meanwhile, relations between Governor Will and Vera are strained over Vera allowing Rita to visit Ruby. Vera in turn discovers evidence of Will's affair with Marie. After convincing her psychiatrist Greg to give her controversial medicine in breach of the rules, Liz reconciles with her estranged son Artie. Boomer is cleared of the shoplifting charges, making her eligible for parole. With Liz's help, Boomer stands up to her bullying mother May.
799"Under Siege, Part 1"Kevin CarlinJohn Ridley23 July 2019 (2019-07-23)91,000[11]
Having evidence of Will and Marie's relationship, Vera demands that Marie be transferred. Liz receives a visit from Franky, whom she can't remember due to her dementia. She soon comes to understand that her condition will continue to deteriorate, despite the medical trial and persuades Dr. Miller to give her the full dose of her medication so that she can say a final goodbye to her son Artie. On the day of Marie's planned escape, Sean and two criminals attempt to evacuate Marie under the guise of a committal hearing. However, a lockdown ensues when Marie makes a second attempt to kill Ruby, causing Vera to discover Sean's accomplices. Sean and his accomplices take Liz, Allie, Linda, and several women in the laundry room hostage. Sean demands that Will lift the lockdown or he will kill hostages. Jake is worried because Vera and their unborn daughter are among the hostages. Rita manages to contact Will and informs him that Marie is Sean's mastermind. When Will rejects his demands, Sean fires his gun, leaving the lives of several characters hanging in the balance.
8010"Under Siege, Part 2"Kevin CarlinPete McTighe30 July 2019 (2019-07-30)110,000[12]
It is revealed that Sean shot and killed Vicky Kosta as the siege continues. Rita enlists the help of Liz to free her from the holding cell, in which Rita fights back against Sean and his assailants and successfully manages to climb to safety through an air duct. Boomer tries to take Marie hostage, but ultimately fails, and as punishment, Sean shoots and kills May. Marie, and the other hostages, learn that Sean killed Kaz. Jake offers to take Vera's place as a hostage but to no avail. The police arrive and Sean strikes a deal to have them escape in a helicopter. The women are led to the roof, while Vera's life is spared when she goes into labour, and with the help of Liz and Boomer, she gives birth to a baby girl, whom she names Grace. The hostages are rescued from the roof and two of the criminals captured. Rita reveals her true identity to Will and with his help, Rita uncovers Marie's protector. Marie makes one last attempt at killing Ruby, which proves unsuccessful when Allie shoots Marie in the leg, before turning the gun on Sean, killing him instantly. With the siege at an end, Marie is informed that she will go into protection for good. Liz suffers a stroke, causing her to develop 'Locked-in Syndrome'. At her prior request, she is euthanized by Boomer, who is charged with manslaughter. Rita, hoping to be exonerated, is transferred to protective custody. As her transport car passes three hooded vagrants, one of them is revealed to be Joan Ferguson, alive.

Production

A seventh season was commissioned in April 2018, before the sixth-season premiere, with filming commencing the following week.

Foxtel's head of drama and Wentworth executive producer Penny Win said: "It's hard to believe we are already rolling the cameras on season seven of Wentworth. It feels like only yesterday we were reintroducing Foxtel viewers to such iconic characters like Bea Smith and 'The Freak' Joan Ferguson. The way in which our audience, both locally and internationally, has embraced and connected with the show goes to prove that people will watch, embrace, love and continue to support quality Australian drama.[13]

New cast members joining the show during the season, included Dr. Greg Miller (David de Lautour),[14] Sean Brody (Rick Donald),[15] Narelle Stang (Morgana O'Reilly),[16] and Kylee Webb (Geraldine Hakewill).[17]

Original ending

Season seven of Wentworth was intended to be the final season; however, in December 2018, it was announced that the series was renewed for an additional 20 episodes which will broadcast through 2020 and 2021.[18]

Following the renewal, several scenes from the final episode had to be cut, and new scenes were shot and inserted to lead the story into the eighth season. The cut scenes, which were intended to give closure to the series, included Franky and Bridget with Vera and Baby Grace, while another scene featuring three new prisoners who have arrived at Wentworth (cameo appearances by original Prisoner cast members Val Lehman, Fiona Spence, and Colette Mann who played Bea Smith, Vera Bennett, and Doreen Anderson/Burns, respectively).[19]

Reception

Ratings
No. Title Air date Overnight ratings Ref(s)
ViewersRank
1 "Blood Wedding" 28 May 2019 89,0002 [3]
2 "Payback" 4 June 2019 96,0001 [4]
3 "Atonement" 11 June 2019 88,0001 [5]
4 "Karen" 18 June 2019 86,0001 [6]
5 "Ascension" 25 June 2019 86,0005 [7]
6 "Mother" 2 July 2019 72,0002 [8]
7 "Bad Blood" 9 July 2019 94,0002 [9]
8 "Protection" 16 July 2019 103,0001 [10]
9 "Under Siege, Part 1" 23 July 2019 91,0002 [11]
10 "Under Siege, Part 2" 30 July 2019 110,0001 [12]

Accolades
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Wentworth
AACTA Awards
Australian Directors Guild Awards
  • Pending: Best Direction in a TV or SVOD Drama Series – Kevin Carlin for "Under Siege: Part 2"[21]
Logie Awards
  • The Logie Awards for 2020 have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will feature as part of the 2021 awards with joint nominations for both seasons seven and eight.[22]

Home media
Title Release Country Availabity Region Ref(s)
DVD Blu-ray
Wentworth: The Complete Season 7
2 October 2019
 Australia
4/B
[23]
Wentworth Prison: Season Seven
11 November 2019
 UK
2/B
[24][25]
Additional


Distributor

Set details

Audio

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 (DVD)
  • DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (Blu-ray)

Subtitles

  • TBA

Discs

  • 3-DVD set (region 2 UK)
  • 3-DVD set (region 4)
  • 2-Blu-ray set (region B UK)

Rating


  • Notes:
    • Season 7 is the first season to become available on Blu-ray in UK

References
  1. "Pete McTighe confirms Wentworth season 7 release date". Twitter.
  2. "Wentworth Season 7 Plot". Foxtel.
  3. "Tuesday 28 May 2019". TV Tonight. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  4. "Tuesday 4 June 2019". TV Tonight. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  5. "Tuesday 11 June 2019". TV Tonight. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  6. "Tuesday 18 June 2019". TV Tonight. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  7. "Tuesday 25 June 2019". TV Tonight. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  8. "Tuesday 2 July 2019". TV Tonight. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  9. "Tuesday 9 July 2019". TV Tonight. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  10. "Tuesday 16 July 2019". TV Tonight. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  11. "Tuesday 23 July 2019". TV Tonight. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  12. "Tuesday 30 July 2019". TV Tonight. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  13. Debnath, Neela. "Wentworth season 7: Will there be another series of Wentworth?". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  14. Harvey, Kerry (20 June 2019). "Westside's David de Lautour on the right side of the law in Wentworth". Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  15. Downey, Stephen (14 June 2019). "Wentworth's Rick Donald: "My best role ever"". Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  16. Rigden, Clare (5 June 2019). "Wentworth's Kaz pays the price for taking on Marie". Now To Love. (Bauer Media Group). Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  17. Cartwright, Lexie (27 May 2019). "Australian actor Geraldine Hakewill — aka Ms Fisher — looks very different in new role on Wentworth". Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  18. Knox, David (5 December 2018). "Foxtel confirms Wentworth renewal to 2021". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  19. "Wentworth Season 7 - Alternative Ending". Youtube. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  20. "Aacta awards 2019 winners: The Nightingale and Total Control dominate Australian screen awards". theguardian.com. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  21. Knox, David (14 July 2020). "Australian Directors Guild Awards 2020: nominees". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  22. "Coronavirus pandemic forces cancellation of 2020 Logie Awards". abc.net.au. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  23. "Australian release dates for movies & TV". Stack.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  24. "Wentworth Prison: Season 7 (DVD)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  25. "Wentworth Prison: Season 7 (Blu-ray)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  26. "WENTWORTH SEASON 7". Australian Classification Board. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  27. "WENTWORTH PRISON [Season 7,Episodes 1-10]". British Board of Film Classification. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
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