Top Ten: Best in Breed

Overall there were 20 top dogs in the series. This top ten is based on the length of reign, rather than popularity or effectiveness in the position, and might hold a couple of surprises. The stars represent the power of their ‘bark’ versus their ‘bite’ in my opinion.

1. Bea Smith
Maintained her 'Queen Bea' position for most of the first half of the series. Starting off as mischievous and quite harsh, mellowing later to be more of a protective mother hen. Sadly, by the time her final episodes came, Big Red had become the Ginger Whinger and was little more than a background character. Many highlights during her reign, largely down to Val Lehman's superb acting. Particularly interesting was the amnesia storyline, when we got to see what the pre-prison Bea would have been like. Low points included the daft Zara Moonbeam plot (sending her mad) and several incidents with dodgy wigs.

Reign: approx 337 episodes. Bark *** Bite ***

2. Myra Desmond
Originally an occasional character connected to the Prison Reform Group, who was eventually brought in as a thinly-disguised Bea Smith substitute. She was even imprisoned for the same crime (killing an unfaithful husband) and had a teenage daughter with a drug problem. However, credit should go to Anne Phelan, who did a remarkable job of making the character her own (unlike less convincing attempts at recycling a character, such as Petra Roberts and Dot Farrar) and before long Myra was a quite distinct character in her own right. Low points included the bizarre escape where she walked out the prison gate disguised in a lampshade hat. High points included her eventual departure, which remains one of the most exciting incidents in the whole series.

Reign: approx 108 episodes. Bark *** Bite ***

3. Rita Connors
Briefly referred to as Rita "the Beater", and best remembered for being in charge during the major events at the end of the series. Highly irritating at first, with her loud laugh, thigh-slapping, cries of "Wa-a-a-arriors!" and amusingly implausible boyfriend (Slasher). Soon developed into a more likeable and more rounded character, largely down to Glenda Linscott's performance. Low points included the initial whooping and Harley Davidson impressions, and her laughably unconvincing conversion to anti-drugs stance. High points included the exciting 'Blackmoor' episodes and the ultimate end of the series.

Reign: approx 71 episodes. Bark ** Bite ***

4. Nora Flynn
Perhaps in an attempt to break away from the Bea/Myra model of top dog, the writers tried a different approach with Nora. She used a 'council' to make decisions, and seemed to favour punishments like not talking to an offender rather than giving them a bashing. An interesting idea, but sadly not interesting viewing, and she is often referred to as "Nora the Borer" by fans of the series. There were attempts to give the character an interesting background, and Sonja Tallis' performance was not bad at all. But sadly the time of her reign coincided with one of the weakest parts of the series. Low points included anything to do with the 'council' and its punishments. High points included her shocking death.

Reign: approx 29 episodes. Bark * Bite

5. Judy Bryant
First appeared as Sharon Gilmour's lover, and got herself put in prison to be with her. Started off as quite an intimidating figure, but soon mellowed and later seemed to back any underdog. Took over the top dog seat while Bea was not around, but with her weak heart and dislike of violence, was not an ideal candidate.

Reign: approx 22 episodes. Bark * Bite *

6. Marie Winter
Often remembered for her backside rather than her stint as top dog, she was a great villain who seemed to switch between clever cunning and comic stupidity. A popular character that was a lot of fun.

Reign: approx 20 episodes. Bark *** Bite **

7. Lou Kelly
She first appeared as a stand-in for one of the nodding background extras, but eventually rose to the height of principle baddie, with her cutting sense of humour, never ending supply of hairspray, and under-used but clearly superb acting abilities from Louise Siversen. Naturally she would have her sights on the ultimate power status in Wentworth, the top dog position, but as she approved of drugs and was not a very nice person, it was of course only a short promotion.

Reign: approx 17 episodes. Bark *** Bite *

8. Minnie Donovan
A complete mystery about what the writers could have been thinking with the most implausible of the top dogs. An old lady in a twin set who called everyone "dear" and somehow had power over the rebellious youngsters like Bobbie Mitchell by firmly calling them "my girl". Miraculously maintained her position without being punched in the mouth, and seemed to prove that the notions of 'top dog', 'power' and 'plausibility' don't have to go together.

Reign: approx 15 episodes. Bark Bite

9. Alice Jenkins
A nice example of going from background extra to top dog, and also from baddie to goodie, as the character developed. Although she was little more than a puppet for Rita when she took the position, 'Lurch' had become a far more rounded character by then, and you couldn't help wishing it would all work out well for her.

Reign: approx 14 episodes. Bark * Bite **

10. Kath Maxwell
The very final top dog as the series ended, at the start of Kath's second reign as top dog. A very well written character, coupled with a truly excellent performance from Kate Hood. Rather than being simply an antagonist to Rita, she made an interesting character in her own right, and it would have been fascinating to see how things developed in her new position, particularly with the full backing of Rita.

Reign: approx 14 episodes. Bark ** Bite ***