Wentworth and Orange Is The New Black have oddly similar storylines

Women’s prison dramas Wentworth and Orange Is The New Black has often been compared for their similar storylines. But Wentworth actor Celia Ireland had to admit they were hard to ignore.

Gritty women’s prison dramas Wentworth and Orange Is The New Black are often compared for their similarities, but has one been busted borrowing from the other?

Foxtel original Wentworth has featured Celia Ireland’s character Liz as a victim of early onset dementia since season six and Wednesday night is the season seven finale.

But OITNB, also in its seventh season, days ago revealed a central character, Red (played byKate Mulgrew) has also been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

There is no competitiveness between the two shows, but even Ireland had to admit the similarities were hard to ignore.

Celia Ireland can’t help but compare the similarities with her show Wentworth and US hit Orange Is The New Black. Picture: Justin Lloyd

She plays Liz Birdsworth in Wentworth. Picture: Supplied

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“It’s very interesting, because that storyline for my character was on air very early last year, very early in season six Liz is diagnosed with early onset dementia,” she told Confidential.

“Who knows if there’s a little bit of copycatting going on, but it’s a very interesting storyline.”

Wentworth’s success as an international television show has been unprecedented.

Ireland says she has fans all over the world and particularly in the US, where the show is on Netflix.

Ireland shares a similar storyline with Kate Mulgrew’s character on OITNB. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Conversely OITNB is a US Netflix original that plays on Foxtel and Netflix in Australia.

In many ways the shows are paralleled, but one thing Wentworth has over its unofficial cousin is that it will continue past tonight’s season seven finale, whereas OITNB has been wrapped.

“It will be back for another 20 episodes, production begins at the end of October,” Ireland said proudly.

“It’s testament to the quality and standard of the product and the massive support of the fans.”

Tonight at 8.30pm those fans will get answers to the big questions that have been begging to be answered: Who kills Kaz Proctor, who suffered a gruesome, abrupt death in episode four and who was killed by Sean last week.