You’ve likely read the headline and thought, ‘how could this be true?’
Indeed, there is a show on Netflix set in a prison that fans are raving about, calling it a ‘masterpiece’ and even saying it’s ‘better than Prison Break.’
To clarify, we’re not talking about Orange Is the New Black as if it’s some hidden gem.
The show in question is an Australian contemporary reboot of an 80s prison drama called Prisoner.
Despite its low profile, it ran for eight seasons and received outstanding reviews.
Before you jump to conclusions about whether it measures up to Prison Break or Orange Is the New Black, take a look at the trailer to form your own opinion.
The show is called Wentworth, and saying it was well-received is an understatement.
With an average IMDb rating of 8.6, Wentworth stands shoulder to shoulder with TV classics like The Bear, Battlestar Galactica, and Mr. Robot.
The storyline is quite similar to Orange Is the New Black, but note that Wentworth premiered two months earlier.
Running from 2013 to 2021, Wentworth became a major hit in Australia and was picked up in various countries, including the US on Netflix.
A recent post in the Netflix Bangers Facebook group asked for recommendations for series that are so good you can’t stop talking about them. Wentworth was one of the most upvoted responses, and based on fan reviews, it’s easy to see why.
One IMDb review rated the show 9/10, stating: “I absolutely loved Wentworth. I don’t think I’ve ever been more surprised by how much I’ve liked a show quite like this one. Every episode of every season is good. It’s addicting.
“I binged the entire series as quickly as I could and I would dare to bet you would too if you haven’t seen it yet.”
Another Reddit post labeled it ‘the best series you’ve never watched,’ while yet another described it as a ‘masterpiece.’
Understandably, comparisons to Prison Break and Orange Is the New Black have emerged, but Wentworth fans see a clear winner.
One commenter said, “Wentworth is by far the best. I love OITNB and think it has great writing and acting, but I prefer the tone and story of Wentworth more.
“I think Prison Break would be last on the list simply because I don’t think the acting and writing is up to par. It had an AMAZING first season but then the rest of them never lived up to the bar that one set. I still love the show and am excited about the reboot, but it doesn’t come close to Wentworth.”
So there you have it, folks. Put your annual Prison Break rewatch on hold and dive into Wentworth.
Wentworth seasons one to eight are available to stream on Netflix in the US.