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Watch out world! Prison drama Wentworth is proving a major hit in the US

AUSSIES love it and now Americans are going nuts for this gritty local drama, even comparing it to Orange is the New Black.

TV: TV: FOR SWITCHED ON USE ONLY until May 20, 2013 Soho channel, Nicole da Silva as Franky Doyle, Wentworth
TV: TV: FOR SWITCHED ON USE ONLY until May 20, 2013 Soho channel, Nicole da Silva as Franky Doyle, Wentworth

MANY shows have a solid crack but few find real success in the sought-after but elusive American television market.

Local jailhouse drama Wentworth is on track to do just that, after premiering in the US on streaming service Netflix to rave reviews.

Viewers there are now scrambling to binge-watch the acclaimed series, with many even declaring it as good as, if not better, than the Emmy nominated Orange is the New Black.

“It has taken our show to a whole new level,” Nicole da Silva, who plays inmate Franky Doyle in Wentworth, said.

More recognition ... Nicole da Silva was used to being anonymous in LA, but all that’s changing as Americans fall in love with Wentworth. Picture: Supplied
More recognition ... Nicole da Silva was used to being anonymous in LA, but all that’s changing as Americans fall in love with Wentworth. Picture: Supplied

The award-winning actress spends most of the year based in Los Angeles and, until now, has enjoyed a certain sense of anonymity she can’t get at home.

“I’m getting more and more sideways glances now the show is available here,” da Silva laughed. “People are coming up to me in the supermarket. I've had a few fan encounters, which is kind of surreal. I’m very used to not being recognised at all.”

Gritty drama ... Wentworth has won a stack of awards and critically acclaim in Australia since its premiere three years ago. Picture: Ben King
Gritty drama ... Wentworth has won a stack of awards and critically acclaim in Australia since its premiere three years ago. Picture: Ben King

Wentworth’s star Danielle Cormack, who plays Bea, isn’t bothered by the OITNB comparisons but insists the shows are vastly different.

Rather than compare with each other, she also thinks they can happily coexist.

“The fact there are two big shows that are predominantly driven by a female cast, involving really fantastic female characters and stories, is wonderful,” Cormack said.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re being compared. The fact it’s in the same theme, a similar premise, gives our show more leverage there (in the US). It’s win-win.”

Top of the world ... Wentworth star Danielle Cormack is thrilled with the show’s overseas success. Picture: Eugene Hyland
Top of the world ... Wentworth star Danielle Cormack is thrilled with the show’s overseas success. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Wentworth, based on the iconic 1980s series Prisoner, has already achieved enormous success abroad. The Australian version is now shown in 87 countries including the USA, Canada, UK, Poland, France, Japan, Korea, Ireland, Brazil, Hungary and Scandinavia..

Local adaptations have also been licensed and produced in Germany and the Netherlands.

For Cormack and the rest of the cast, it’s a dream come true to have their work reach far-flung corners of the globe.

Win-win ... Danielle Cormack thinks Wentworth and Orange Is The New Black are different enough that they can happily coexist in the tough American market. Picture: Supplied
Win-win ... Danielle Cormack thinks Wentworth and Orange Is The New Black are different enough that they can happily coexist in the tough American market. Picture: Supplied

“You’d be hard-pressed to find any actor, producer, director or crew member who doesn’t want their work to reach as far and wide as it can,” she said.

“For our show to be recognised internationally is a testament to the stories, themes, characters and performances. It’s incredibly exciting and I’m really proud.”

The new season of Wentworth airs Tuesdays at 8.30pm on Foxtel channel Soho and viewers can catch on up seasons one and two on streaming service Presto.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/watch-out-world-prison-drama-wentworth-is-proving-a-major-hit-in-the-us/news-story/333034bb22628aae847aa68bfc43acc6