Bad Girls (ITV 1999-2006, Debra Stephenson, Joanne Frogatt)

Drama Bad Girls told the often hard hitting and shocking problems of the inmates of a female prison (HMP Larkhall). No dilemma was left uncovered with lesbianism, drugs, drink, inmates having affairs with warders and so on.

During the 2004 series, in the first crossover of its kind on UK television, Tanya Turner from FOOTBALLERS’ WIVES (played by Zoe Lucker) had a 3 episode stint as a Larkhill inmate. Both series were made for ITV by Shed Productions.

The final episode of the 2004 series was 90 mins long and the season seemed to run an inordinately long time thanks to a mid season break.

In 2007 a stage musical hit the west end. It premiered first in Yorkshire in May 2006 before running in the west end from August-November 2007. It was also given a DVD release.

production details
UK / ITV Network – Granada – Shed Productions / 107 episodes / Broadcast 1 June 1999 – 20 December 2006

Creators: Maureen Chadwick, Eileen Gallagher, Ann McManus / Technical Advisor: Chris Tchaikovsky /Music: Nina Humphreys / Costume: Sarah Arthur / Design: Mike Oxley / Producers: Brian Park, Claire Phillips

cast
DEBRA STEPHENSON as Michelle ‘Shell’ Dockley
JOANNE FROGATT as Rachel Hicks (season 1)
MANDANA JONES as Nikki Wade
ALICYA EYO as Denny Blood
VICTORIA ALLCOCK as Julie S
KIKA MIRYLEES as Julie K
SIMONE LAHBIB as Gvnr Helen Stewart
LUISA BRADSHAW WHITE as Officer Lorna Rose (season 1)
JACK ELLIS as Snr P.O. Jim Fenner
JOE SHAW as Off Dominic McAllister
CLAIRE KING as Karen Betts (season 2)
HELEN SCHLESINGER as Tessa Spall (season 2)
TRACEY WILKINSON as P.O. Di Barker(season 2)
LINDA HENRY as Yvonne Atkins (season 2)
STEPHANIE BEACHAM as Phil
AMANDA BARRIE as Bren