Bad Girls (series 1)

Bad Girls Series One

Re-release DVD
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network ITV
Original release 1 June 1999 – 3 August 1999

The first series of Bad Girls premiered on ITV1 on 1 June 1999 and ending 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 Britain. The show also became successful in several countries including America, Australia and Ireland.

The first series focuses on the growing relationship between new G-Wing governor, Helen Stewart and prisoner, Nikki Wade. Helen tries to show the prisoners that she on their side by taking matters such as miscarriage, bullying and drugs seriously, whereas the other officers, like Sylvia Hollamby don't take any interest in the prisoners' problems. Helen doesn't get the support she needs from her officers and tries to convince Nikki that she needs her help in running an orderly wing. This is when Nikki's attraction for Helen begins to grow. Other major storylines in the first series is top dog, Shell Dockley's bullying against new prisoner Rachel Hicks, her drug dealing and her affair with senior officer Jim Fenner who also begins an affair with Rachel, as three become involved in a love triangle, Shell and her sidekick Denny Blood torture Rachel to the point where she commits suicide. New prisoner Zandra Plackett struggles to kick her drug habit, and things get worse when she discovers she's pregnant, and Monica Lindsey, another new prisoner on G-Wing, finds it hard to cope when she worries about her son, Spencer, who has down's syndrome, she worries about how he will cope and react to his mother's wrongful imprisonment.

Main cast

Cast Character
Simone Lahbib Helen Stewart
Mandana Jones Nikki Wade
Debra Stephenson Shell Dockley
Jack Ellis Jim Fenner
Lara Cazalet Zandra Plackett
Alicya Eyo Denny Blood
Luisa Bradshaw-White Lorna Rose
Joe Shaw Dominic McAllister
Helen Fraser Sylvia Hollamby
Sharon Duncan Brewster Crystal Gordon
Victoria Alcock Julie Saunders
Kika Mirylees Julie Johnston
Jane Lowe Monica Lindsay
Joanne Froggatt Rachel Hicks
Linda Henry Yvonne Atkins

Guest cast

  • Oliver Fox as Sean Parr
  • Roland Oliver as Simon Stubberfield
  • Eugene Walker as Officer Blakeson
  • Timmy Lang as Spencer Lindsay
  • Gideon Turner as Robin Dunstan
  • Daryl Fisher as Mrs Hicks
  • Ashley Miller as Carol Byatt
  • Penny Ryder as Nellie Snape
  • Shelley Longworth as Ms Wall
  • Susan Aderin as Ms Carter
  • Pauline Whitaker as Nun
  • Victoria Pritchard as Trisha
  • Vinny Dhillon as Clinic Nurse
  • Sheila Ruskin as Mrs Dunstan
  • David Case as Chaplain
  • Denise Black as Jessie Devlin
  • Jean Ainslie as Sister Jill
  • Ian Flintoff as Vicar
  • Jane Galloway as Mary
  • Andrew Frame as Officer Donegan
  • Alistair Stewart as Newsreader/Himself

Episodes

# Episode Writer Director Original airdate Viewing figure
1 Them and Us Maureen Chadwick Mike Adams 1 June 1999 7,990,000
As the inmates rehearse for a fashion show, a miscarrying inmate almost dies in her cell. Helen is forced into an alliance with difficult prisoner Nikki Wade. A smelly inmate returns and upsets everyone with her nasty habits and Fenner plays dangerous games with Shell and Rachel.
2 Drug Wars Maureen Chadwick Mike Adams 8 June 1999 7,390,000
Helen takes a tough stance on drugs. New inmate Monica Lindsey is in for a complete culture shock but quickly proves that she's no pushover. An old inmate returns to the wrath of Denny and Shell.
3 Love Rival Phil Ford Laurence Moody 15 June 1999 6,360,000
Jim takes advantage of his authority and begins to regret it when Shell bullies Rachel. Zandra is heartbroken when she is dumped by her fiancé, while she is organising her wedding.
4 The Victim Martin Allen Laurence Moody 22 June 1999 6,860,000
Rachel's troubles increase, when her mother gives her daughter to foster care causing Rachel to completely breakdown and commit suicide on the wing and Zandra makes a bid for freedom.
5 Tangled Web Louisa Page Laurence Moody 29 June 1999 7,050,000
Nikki and Shell finally come to blows following Rachel's death. Helen investigates Rachel's death and all the evidence points to a cover-up involving Principal Officer Fenner. Nikki struggles to come to terms with her growing feelings for Helen.
6 A Big Mistake Tom Higgins Jim O'Hanlon 6 July 1999 7,020,000
New prisoner, Jessie Devlin arrives at Larkhall and uncovers a past she thought closed forever. Zandra blackmails Officer Lorna Rose into bringing drugs into Larkhall.
7 Playing with Fire Ann McManus Jim O'Hanlon 13 July 1999 7,670,000
Nikki makes a desperate bid to show Helen how much she loves her. Shell is stripped of her privileges when drugs are found in her cell and someone's going to pay.
8 Falling Apart Sally Wainwright Mike Adams 20 July 1999 7,600,000
Monica's thoughts turn suicidal when she learns some terrible news about her son. The Julies hatch a plan to bring some good cheer to Larkhall, in the form of wine.
9 Pay Back Time Martin Allen Mike Adams 27 July 1999 7,320,000
Shell teams up with Crystal, who believes Shell has changed for good. Shell takes her full revenge on Lorna and nearly ruins Helen's career in the process. Helen struggles unsuccessfully to resist Nikki's charms.
10 Love Hurts Maureen Chadwick Mike Adams 3 August 1999 7,660,000
Helen has to tell Sean a few home truths while they organise their wedding. Sean later turns up at Larkhall with a lighter and white spirit. Monica hears some good news about her appeal. Shell spills the beans about her affair with Fenner - to his wife.

Release

Original UK DVD

In the UK, series one was originally released in VHS format in three volumes. The DVD was released in the UK on 18 June 2001. It was re-released in the UK on 7 February 2011 by Acorn Media UK, with brand new packaging.[1] The re-release was also released in a boxset along with series two on 7 February 2011.[2] Series one was also released as part of a series one-four boxset on 9 October 2006.

In Australia, series one has been released three times on DVD, the first being on 24 March 2003 containing the same packaging as the first UK DVD release. The second release was part of the complete boxset consisting of all eight series which was released on 10 November 2010.[3] The third was released on 12 January 2011, as a separate edition from the complete boxset.[4]

The DVD was released in America on 7 June 2011 containing its own style of cover packaging. It was released as "The Complete First Season", and was the only series of Bad Girls to be released in America.

Bad Girls: Series One
Set Details Special Features
  • 10 episodes
  • 4-disc set
  • 3-disc set (re-release)
  • 4:3/1.33:1 aspect ratio (cropped VHS transfer)
  • 16:9/1.78:1 original aspect ratio (re-release)
  • Subtitles: no
  • Language: English (stereo)
  • Documentary: Bad Girls in Oxford*
  • Commentary Track: Episode 10*
  • Cast Interviews:
    • Simone Lahbib (Helen)
    • Mandana Jones (Nikki)
    • Debra Stephenson (Shell)
    • Jack Ellis (Jim)
    • Alicya Eyo (Denny)
    • Helen Fraser (Sylvia)
    • Victoria Alcock (Julie S)
    • Kika Mirylees (Julie J)
  • Outtakes
  • Fan Featurette: Bad Girls Book Signing*
  • Photo Library*
Release dates
United States United Kingdom Australia
7 June 2005 18 June 2001
7 February 2011 (re-release)
24 March 2003
12 January 2011 (re-release)

Note: Special features marked * are not available on the re-release DVD

References

  1. "Bad Girls Series 1". acornmediauk.com. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  2. "Bad Girls: Series 1 & 2: Box Set: Hmv Exclusive". hmv.com. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  3. "Bad Girls (1999) - The Complete Collection: Uncut (32 Disc Box Set)". ezydvd.com.au. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  4. "Bad Girls (1999) - Series 1: Uncut (4 Disc Set)". ezydvd.com.au. Retrieved 31 March 2011.

External links

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