WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Wentworth season 6 and 7 that may influence your enjoyment in discovering the plotlines. Read at your own risk.
Wentworth season 7 has just finished its run on Australian television, and it's now accessible on Netflix in North America. The drama series about a group of women in prison has been compared to the U.S. streaming platform's original prison drama Orange is the New Black many times before. However, there's one glaring similar storyline that Wentworth star Celia Ireland said is not so easy to shake off.
At the beginning of Wentworth season 6, Ireland's character, Liz, was revealed to have developed early-onset dementia in prison. The same storyline was also introduced in Orange is the New Black season 7 with Red (played by Kate Mulgrew) learning of her diagnosis.
While both shows are not in any competition, Ireland told Daily Telegraph that this fact was rather curious.
"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," Ireland said. "Who knows if there's a little bit of copycatting going on, but it's a very interesting storyline."
Meanwhile, fans of prison dramas observed that this isn't the only time the shows have had so many similarities. For instance, Wentworth and Orange is the New Black both had transgender characters, mother and daughter inmates, and a hot lesbian.
"The main character that slowly rises to the top (Piper and Bea). They both had riots. They both have a character that falls in love with a guard. The list goes on," one fan in Reddit wrote.
But while Orange is the New Black is ending after season 7, Wentworth will press on with season 8, which will start production in October, according to Ireland. Foxtel renewed Wentworth for 20 episodes more in December 2018, which will be aired over 2020 and 2021.
"Wentworth has captivated audiences in Australia and all over the world with its gritty nail-biting storylines, remarkable performances by an extensive ensemble cast and high production values. The commissioning of these additional episodes will see it reach an extraordinary 100 episodes," the network said in a press release.
Wentworth debuted on Australian television in May 2013 as a modern-day reimagining of the classic series Prisoner. The show is created by Lara Radulovich, David Hannam and Reg Watson.
