Joan Ferguson (Wentworth)
| Joan Ferguson | |
|---|---|
| Wentworth Prison character | |
| First appearance | “Born Again” |
| Created by | Lara Radulovich Reg Watson |
| Portrayed by | Pamela Rabe |
| Status | Alive |
| Duration | 2014- |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | "The Fixer" "The Freak" |
| Occupation | Prison Governor |
| Affiliation | Wentworth Prison Nils Jesper |
| Family | Ivan Ferguson (father) |
Joan Ferguson is a fictional character in the Australian television series Wentworth. Joan is portrayed by actress Pamela Rabe. Joan’s notable storylines is her one-sided feuds with Will Jackson and Matthew Fletcher. Joan is also notable for her battle against Bea Smith, her manipulations of Vera Bennett and murdering Jess Warner.
Creation
FremantleMedia Director of Drama Jo Porter said “Prisoner offered up a very rich well of amazing characters to draw upon and the Wentworth writers are very excited about revisiting the character of prison officer Joan ‘The Freak’ Ferguson in our second season.[1] It was then announced that Pamela Rabe was going to portray Joan. It was said “In reviving the role of Joan Ferguson, Rabe adds to Wentworth‘s stellar cast and will undoubtedly add new layers to an imposing character…”[2]
Characterization
The Wentworth website states “Joan’s strength is her determination to succeed against the odds. She found a career in corrections and started as an officer. Her no-nonsense attitude won her fans in high places and she was fast-tracked to Deputy Governor of Queensland’s most troublesome prison, Blackmoore.”[3]
Backstory
In Joan’s centric episode “The Fixer”, we saw that Joan worked in a different prison and was having a relationship with one of the inmates Jianna. Jianna had her baby took off her and she blamed the social worker for Jianna’s death as she wasn’t aware that the other prisoners killed her because of the relationship.[4]
Storylines
Joan is introduced at the beginning of the second season where she busts a drug smuggle in the laundry room and introduces herself as governor. Joan then releases Bea and cuts her medication to try and make Bea lucid.[5]
Joan lets Doreen start a garden project in the prison and gets prisoners from the men’s prison to help with the development. Joan later gets Vera drunk to learn about the secrets of the prison including Fletch’s affair with former governor Meg Jackson.[6]
Joan gives a “hotshot” to Simmo Slater when she learns that Simmo has to kill Bea Smith but makes it look like she had a bad reaction to Franky’s drugs. Joan also manipulates Liz into being her informant.[7]
As punishment for Franky’s drug trade, Ferguson makes the inmates watch as she bulldozes the whole garden project. Upon learning the drugs what Simmo died from, Franky confronts Joan over murdering Simmo.[8]
Joan abuses Doreen after finding out she was pregnant. Joan then tries to get Doreen to blame Will on being the father. When Doreen refuses Ferguson murders Doreen’s pet bird and tosses it into her cell.[4]
During Bea’s escape Ferguson demands answers from Doreen, Maxine Conway, Franky and other prisoners as to information where Bea went. Joan later makes out that Bea and Will were complicit and planned the escape. When Bea returns she addresses Joan as “Freak”[9]
Joan puts Vera’s life at risk during a riot organised by Bea Smith. Joan is later told by Bea “You don’t run this prison. I do!”[10]
After the riot, Joan sits Bea down and tries to find out what Bea wants. Bea gets what she wants from Joan including pizzas for breakfast.[11]
Franky witnesses Joan taking Jodie somewhere while in the slot.[12]
Joan visits Fletch and learns that Vera has been going to see him behind her back, she calls her trust in Vera into question.[13]
Jodie makes an abuse complaint against Ferguson which blindsides her. Joan isn’t happy when Derek can’t quash it due to it being gave direct to the ombudsman. When realising that Bea had a hand in the complaint she gets her henchman to drug Bea.[14]
In the third season finale, Joan finds the walls closing in on her especially when Vera has made a formal complaint against her. When Doreen’s baby Joshua is kidnapped by Jess, Joan murders Jess and sets the prison on fire to cover it up after she learns that her henchman is now in police custody. After Bea and Will save Ferguson from the fire, Joan is arrested with all the prisoners watching.[15]
Reception
Joan Ferguson has been described as “arguably the biggest villain within the Wentworth walls.” [16]
Gay Times described Ferguson as a “formidable governor”, they also said “Straight edged, hair back and a stern face, Joan Ferguson is a force to be reckoned with”[17]
Reveal Magazine billed Joan as “The dreaded Joan Ferguson” when talking about the episode Born Again.[18]
Metro said, "Joan 'The Freak' Ferguson isn't just the most terrifying character in all prison dramas - she's the baddest and most sinister baddie ever to grace TV."[19]
Pamela Rabe was nominated for a Logie Award in the category "Most Outstanding Actress" for her portrayal of Joan Ferguson.[20]
References
- ^ "Who will play The Freak?". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "Pamela Rabe revives The Freak on Wentworth". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "Joan Ferguson Character Profile". Wentworth Home Page. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ a b Episode 19: The Fixer
- ^ Episode 11: Born Again
- ^ Episode 12: Whatever It Takes
- ^ Episode 16: The Pink Dragon
- ^ Episode 17: Metamorphosis
- ^ Episode 22: Fear Her
- ^ Episode 23: The Governor’s Pleasure
- ^ Episode 24: Failing Upwards
- ^ Episode 25: Knives Out
- ^ Episode 26: Righteous Acts
- ^ Episode 28: Evidence
- ^ Episode 34: Blood and Fire
- ^ "Wentworth's Pamela Rabe "people squeal when they see me off set"". News.com.au. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "We chat to Wentworth's most formidable governor aka Pamela Rabe". Gay Times. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "Wednesday's TV pick: Wentworth Prison". Reveal Magazine. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "10 reasons why Wentworth Prison is better than Orange Is The New Black". Metro. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ "2016 Logie nominations announced". Yahoo. Retrieved 6 April 2016.