THE END OF WENTWORTH
With the final season upon us, stars Marta Dusseldorp, Katrina Milosevic and Kate Box reflect on the show that’s changed their lives
How does it feel to have been a part of such a television juggernaut? Katrina (who plays Susan “Boomer” Jenkins),45:
I feel incredibly damned lucky to be a part of Wentworth! I’m a small cog in a very large and beautiful wheel.
Marta (Sheila Bausch), 48:
It’s such an honour and a privilege. Such powerful women and such addictive storytelling.
Did you ever see it becoming so popular?
Katrina: No, not really. When we started, all those years ago, it definitely felt special, but we were so focused on doing the work, we didn’t have time to hypothesise about the future. I still don’t think I’ve quite got my head around its popularity!
Kate (Lou Kelly) 42: I came late to the craze. All the work had been done to set up its popularity so I was pretty lucky to be joining the cool kids. I just had to pretend to be cool long enough so as not to get found out. Or shivved!
Why do you think it struck such a chord?
Marta: It has a deep history from when it premiered as Prisoner back in the ’80s. There was a genuine love of it then so it only makes sense they continue to love it today. It also speaks to Australian women – their toughness to fend for themselves, their loyalty to friends and family and their ability to not take any sh*t.
The show can be quite violent and dark. How did you all switch off at the end of filming?
Katrina: I’m not sure I did find a way to switch off. I’m still a work in progress!
Marta: A bath and some Miles Davis.
Kate: I’d drive home, windows down, listening to some fairly trashy love song dedications. I’d call my mum. I’d greet my
kids. I’d watch videos of people falling over.
What's been your absolute standout moment from filming the series?
Marta: Working directly opposite the spectacular talents of Susie Porter, Zoe Terakes and Kate Box. While admiring from afar Kat Milosevic’s work as Boomer and all the other Wentworth inmates. Kate: It’s a feeling more than a moment... one where a collection of excellent humans put faith in you to achieve. Whether that’s to not crash the car in stunts, to not hide from the depth of emotion, to not shy away from making mad choices, to fiercely defend a character that at times felt “undefendable”. There was a trust given to me. That was a remarkable feeling.
How do you think you'd go in prison yourself?
Katrina: Not well. Marta: Hopeless. Total crybaby.
Kate: I’d be awful.
A total wreck. More so now that I’ve played Lou. It’s a genuine fear of mine that I’ll end up behind bars and there’d be some expectation of me to be remotely like her... instead I’d just want to hide in the library and do what I’m told. That reminds me, I’ve got to pay a parking fine!
Out of all your co-stars, who would you pick to be in your crew in prison and why?
Katrina: Probably all the girls who’ve ever been in my unit, plus Kate, Pam Rabe [“The Freak”], Robbie Magasiva
[Mr Jackson] and Bernie Curry [Mr Stewart]. Sorted.
Marta: You’d want them all to have your back! They are the best of the best.
Kate: All of them. Safety in numbers!
WENTWORTH: THE FINAL SENTENCE premieres 8.30pm, Tuesday, Fox Showcase, exclusive to Foxtel