Bad Girls series 4

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Bad Girls
Season 4
Re-release Region 2 DVD
Starring
No. of episodes16
Release
Original networkITV
Original release28 February (2002-02-28) –
13 June 2002 (2002-06-13)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 3
Next →
Series 5
List of episodes

The fourth series of Bad Girls was broadcast on ITV from 28 February 2002, concluded on 13 June 2002 and featured 16 episodes.

Storylines[edit]

Yvonne Atkins (Linda Henry) is being framed for Virginia O'Kane's (Kate O'Mara) murder, there is a game of cat and mouse between her and Jim Fenner (Jack Ellis) while the real culprits - Maxi Purvis (Kerry Norton) and Al McKenzie (Pauline Campbell) continue their reign over G-Wing. But it's not long before Yvonne is ruling the roost again, when Denny Blood (Alicya Eyo) returns and tricks Al into confessing to Virginia's murder.

New inmates Roisin Connor and Cassie Tyler are imprisoned for fraud and in a relationship, complicated, not only by their being behind bars, but by Roisin being a married mother-of-two. The stress of G-Wing mounts for Karen Betts (Claire King), especially when she and Fenner split, but the stress is no longer her problem when she is demoted to basic officer and he is promoted to Wing Governor by Neil Grayling (James Gaddas), the new Governing Governor of Larkhall, who develops an attraction to Fenner. Grayling is trying to keep his sexuality a secret, so he and desperate Di Barker (Tracey Wilkinson) participate in a sham marriage, although Di believes she can change his sexuality, which pushes Grayling away.

The bitter hatred between Maxi and Shaz Wiley (Lindsey Fawcett) grows and ends in tragedy following a brutal fight. Crystal Gordon (Sharon Duncan Brewster) gives birth in the four bed dorm to a daughter but soon loses her faith in religion when another baby in the prison dies. Rhiannon Dawson, Julie Johnston's (Kika Mirylees) daughter arrives on the wing and the Julies are soon facing an additional sentence when the truth about Rhiannon's relationship with her boyfriend, Damion, is revealed. The series tackled domestic violence within the relationship of Di and Barry Pearce and also sees teenage junkie Buki Lester (Kim Oliver) attempt to turn her life around when she enters into a battle for the right to see her disabled son, Lennox.

Yvonne and Karen find themselves at war when Yvonne's son, Ritchie, is revealed to be having a relationship with Karen. This is later revealed as a decoy, as his real girlfriend is new devious inmate, Snowball Merriman (Nicole Faraday), whom Ritchie is helping to escape from Larkhall. The fourth series ended with the prison library being obliterated as part of an escape plan by Snowball, resulting in a fire that left several inmates trapped and fighting for their lives.

Main cast[edit]

Guest cast[edit]

Recurring cast:

Guest cast:

Episodes[edit]

Main article: List of Bad Girls episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
401"Fight or Flight"Jo JohnsonJaden Clark28 February 2002 (2002-02-28)7.56
Virginia is dead - but who is responsible? Yvonne masterminds a plot to escape a life sentence. Jim is forced to explain himself to Karen. Josh reveals that he is the father of Crystal's baby and resigns. Al & Maxi continue to takeover.
412"Unholy Alliances"Jo JohnsonPhil Ford7 March 2002 (2002-03-07)6.83

Yvonne's escape attempt is thwarted by Karen. New Governor, Neil Grayling, arrives at Larkhall and is determined to make his mark. He is unimpressed with Karen and starts to look for a new Wing Governor - surely not Fenner? Di meets new P.O Barry Pearce but he is not so nice while Fenner and Karen split up.

Note: first appearance of Neil Grayling (James Gaddas)
423"Behind Closed Doors"Jo JohnsonNick Malmholt & Miranda Wilson14 March 2002 (2002-03-14)7.30
Fenner is Governor again and Karen is just a P.O. Fenner is horrified to learn that Yvonne didn't murder Virginia and realising the real culprit forces him and Yvonne into an uneasy alliance. Barry and Di's wedding is cancelled with help from the women but Barry reacts and Di ends up with a broken hand.
434"Fait Accompli"David HolroydMaureen Chadwick21 March 2002 (2002-03-21)7.33

Denny arrives back on G-Wing, with two new inmates, Cassie Tyler and Roisin Connor. Not only is Shaz blanking her, she's also disappointed to learn that she still has her old enemy Sylvia to contend with. But Denny undergoes a makeover to get close to Al, just to help Yvonne catch Virginia's murderer. Barry turns very nasty when the women interfere with his relationship with Di again but this time Di will not back him up.

Note: first appearance of Cassie Tyler (Kellie Bright) and Roison Connor (Siobhán McCarthy)
445"Only the Lonely"David HolroydMartin Allen28 March 2002 (2002-03-28)6.82
Yvonne and Maxi fight and Tina helps Yvonne when Virginia's killer is revealed. Denny and Shaz are back together and true to form. Neil continues to make himself unpopular - does he really have the prisoners' interests at heart or is this a personal vendetta against Karen? Roisin finds it hard to deal with prison life, but Cassie is living the life. Neil sets his sights on Fenner. Buki muscles in on Shaz and Denny's escape plan but she is left in the tunnel and it later collapses on her.
456"Sweet Sixteen"Craig LinesJaden Clark4 April 2002 (2002-04-04)6.99
Julie J is distraught to find her daughter on G-Wing. Buki is rescued from the escape tunnel at the last minute but has to face the wrath of Shaz and Denny. Neil's sexuality is revealed. Buki reveals the truth about Rhiannon's "boyfriend" leading the Julies to make the biggest mistake ever.
467"Pillow Talk"Craig LinesPhil Ford11 April 2002 (2002-04-11)6.92
Fenner finally realises that his boss's interest in him extends far beyond the professional. Shaz and Denny find another opportunity to humiliate Buki but begin to push too far. Karen and Mark Waddle grow closer. Tina and Noreen take over the servary from the Julies.
478"Prison Issue"Brett FallisJayne Hollinson18 April 2002 (2002-04-18)7.10
Buki can no longer cope with the bullying and harms herself, although more seriously than she intended. Outraged, Yvonne wants to see that justice is done. Di and Neil grow closer. The women are not happy with Tina and Noreen's service. Roisin begins to take drugs to block out the pain of prison. Shaz and Denny fall out and Maxi is there to help Shaz, but she really wants to frame Shaz for Virginia's murder.
489"Baby On Board"Brett FallisMartin Allen25 April 2002 (2002-04-25)7.12
Yvonne and Maxi come to blows resulting in drastic consequences. G-Wing's tiniest inmate arrives when Crystal gives birth to baby Zandra on the floor of her cell. Fenner breaks down when the officers do not co-operate with him. Di sets her sights on Neil, despite Fenner's warnings. Buki wants to be on the MBU with Crystal and Zandra but when a baby goes missing, Buki reveals the truth, as to why she wants to be with babies, to Mark. Karen goes to see Fenner and he gets heavy with her.
4910"Family Matters"Brett FallisTim Hyndman2 May 2002 (2002-05-02)6.90
Karen struggles to cope following Fenner's assault on her but realises that involving the police will be futile when the whole story comes out. On a day out, Crystal makes a desperate bid to get Zandra away from Larkhall. Buki grows closer to Baxter but his illness claims his life.
5011"Battle Lines"David HolroydJamie Caruana9 May 2002 (2002-05-09)7.43
Fenner is back in uniform and Neil is in dire need of a new governor. Karen turns down the job which means that there is only one candidate left - Sylvia. Emotions flare following Baxter's funeral. Shaz and Al plan to fight but Maxi wants to finish Shaz. The fight goes ahead with brutal, ultimately, tragic consequences.
5112"Appearances Sake"David HolroydJaden Clark16 May 2002 (2002-05-16)7.12

Sylvia now has a dead body on her hands but an inspection team are also visiting the prison. Tina decides to clear the air with Maxi, who is nowhere to be found. Cassie and Roisin's relationship deteriorates further especially when Cassie has her eyes on Yvonne. Roisin begins to use drugs as a way of relieving her pain. Yvonne is delighted when her estranged son visits her. Plus, Babs and Henry grow closer, but Henry grasses on the women.

Note: final appearance of Maxi Purvis (Kerry Norton)
5213"True Colours"Di PatrickJamie Caruana23 May 2002 (2002-05-23)7.35

The departure of Shaz has left a vacant cell on G-Wing, though it is immediately filled by a mystery American blonde, Snowball Merriman, who catches Fenner's eye. But Yvonne recognises her as does Karen recognise Yvonne's son. Denny spends her birthday down the block when she attacks Sylvia, upon discovering Shaz is gone. Neil orders Sylvia to find Jesse, for Denny's sake. Di attempts to seduce Neil. The Julies go to court following their assault on Damien, with Rhiannon having no intention of helping her mother or aunty.

Note: first appearance of Snowball Merriman (Nicole Faraday)
5314"Hard Knock Life"Di PatrickJaden Clark30 May 2002 (2002-05-30)6.59

Rhiannon tries to make amends with her mother and aunty when they are sentenced to 8 years. Denny is thrilled when her mother is found, but her excitement is short-lived. Di has a suggestion for Neil, giving her companionship she craves and Neil an ideal means of staying in the closet. Roisin goes back on the drugs. Crystal is released and Mark is transferred to another prison, but Mark has a word with Fenner before leaving.

Note: final appearance of Crystal Gordon (Sharon Duncan Brewster); final appearance of Mark Waddle (Paul Opacic)
5415"Marriage of Inconvenience"Jim O'HanlonLiz Lake6 June 2002 (2002-06-06)6.33
Yvonne and Fenner both have different reasons to be concerned about Karen's new relationship. Snowball continues to wrap everyone on G-Wing around her little finger and goes ahead with her escape plan. Di and Neil go on their hen and stag nights but Neil only invites Fenner and slips something into his drink.
5516"Curtain Call"Jim O'HanlonAnn McManus & Maureen Chadwick13 June 2002 (2002-06-13)7.13

G-Wing's open day goes ahead - but not according to plan. Shaz and Denny have their interprison visit and Shaz has brought some mushrooms with her. Yvonne gets a male escort to visit her during the open day and finds out about Snowball's escape plan. Neil and the inmates' lives hang in the balance when Snowball's escape plan finally detonates.

Note: final appearance of Shaz Wiley (Lindsey Fawcett); final appearance of Cassie Tyler (Kellie Bright); final appearance of Roison Connor (Siobhán McCarthy)

Reception[edit]

Ratings[edit]

No. Title Air date Timeslot Weekly ratings Ref(s)
Viewers Rank
1 Fight or Flight 28 February 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,560,000 13 [1]
2 Unholy Alliances 7 March 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,830,000 17 [1]
3 Behind Closed Doors 14 March 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,300,000 15 [1]
4 Fait Accompli 21 March 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,330,000 12 [1]
5 Only the Lonely 28 March 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,820,000 15 [1]
6 Sweet Sixteen 4 April 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,990,000 16 [1]
7 Pillow Talk 11 April 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,920,000 17 [1]
8 Prison Issue 18 April 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,100,000 18 [1]
9 Baby on Board 25 April 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,120,000 14 [1]
10 Family Matters 2 May 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,900,000 11 [1]
11 Battle Lines 9 May 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,430,000 11 [1]
12 Appearances Sake 16 May 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,120,000 12 [1]
13 True Colours 23 May 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,350,000 12 [1]
14 Hard Knock Life 30 May 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,590,000 14 [1]
15 Marriage of Inconvenience 6 June 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 6,330,000 13 [1]
16 Curtain Call 13 June 2002 Thursday 9:00 pm 7,130,000 13 [1]

Awards and nominations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Weekly top 30 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 – Sept 2018)". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 25 February 2022.

External links[edit]

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