It’s been 15 years since the cell door slammed shut on Bad Girls for the final time.
Over its eight series, the ITV prison drama introduced us to the colourful inmates of Larkhall prison, including Shell Dockley, the Two Julies and the Costa Cons, as well as the officers who patrolled G-wing, such as the evil Jim Fenner and Sylvia “Bodybag” Hollamby.
With the show beginning to stream on BritBox this December, we’re finding out what happened to the stars of the show...
Debra Stephenson played Shell Dockley (Series 1–3, 5)
Shell was arguably the best remembered prisoner from Bad Girls. After Debra finished her second stint on the show, she starred as Frankie in Coronation Street for two years, joining the show alongside Bradley Walsh as new members of the Baldwin family in 2004.
As an actor, Debra has also had roles in My Mad Fat Diary from 2014 to 2015, Holby City in 2017 and Doctors in 2019, but these days, she is probably most well known for her work as an impressionist.
Between 2009 and 2011, she co-starred with Jon Culshaw in The Impressions Show and lent her array of voices to the satirical puppet show Newzoids in 2015. She was also a team captain on ITV’s panel show The Imitation Game in 2018.
Jack Ellis played Jim Fenner (Series 1–7)
After the evil prison officer was bumped off by Julie J in the penultimate series, Jack went on to have a regular role in ITV’s Sunday night drama Where the Heart Is, before joining Coronation Street in 2007 as bookies owner Harry Mason.
Since leaving the soap in 2008, Jack’s had guest roles in Vera and Doctors, and in 2017, he played Julis Caesar in Channel 5’s 8 Days That Made Rome. Jack also played a different sort of prison officer in French drama Versailles, which aired on BBC Two in 2018.
Jack has also had a number of stage roles, including productions of Richard III and Great Expectations.
Alicya Eyo played Denny Blood (Series 1–5)
After leaving her role as prisoner Denny, Alicya teamed up with Shed Productions, who made Bad Girls and Footballers’ Wives, to appear in Bombshell, but the show never made it to air here in the UK.
She went on to have guest roles in Holby City and Doctors before landing the regular role of Ruby Haswell in Emmerdale in 2011. Alicya stayed with the soap for four years until her character was killed off in a helicopter crash.
Since then, she’s appeared in an episode of Silent Witness and was most recently seen back in prison – although this time on the other side of the bars – in Channel 5 drama Clink.
Helen Fraser played Sylvia Hollamby (Series 1–8)
“Bodybag”, as she was known to the women of Larkhall, was the only prison officer to appear in all eight series of the show, even taking centre stage in the final episode.
Since the series finished, Helen played Dave Best’s mum in the 2008 Christmas special of The Royle Family, and appeared as Doris Babbage in Coronation Street in 2013.
Helen also appeared in stage productions of Calendar Girls and Billy Liar, reprising her role as Sylvia Hollamby in the 2009 musical version of Bad Girls.
Most recently, she was seen on screen in 2015 in an episode of Doctors.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster played Crystal Gordon (Series 1–4)
After guest roles in Holby City, Doctors and Waking The Dead, Sharon joined EastEnders as Trina Johnson – the ex-wife of serial killer Lucas Johnson, who famously died when he impaled her with a rake to the throat.
Since then, Sharon has played Maggie Cain in an episode of Doctor Who, appeared as Senator Pamlo in Star Wars spin-off film Rogue One and starred in the original Channel 4 version of Top Boy, playing Lisa from 2011-13.
In 2019, she appeared in Russell T. Davies’ dystopian drama Years And Years as Fran Baxter, having previously played Maureen in another of the producer’s shows, Cucumber.
Last year, Sharon made her debut in Netflix’s Sex Education, playing one of Jackson’s mums, Roz Marchetti.
Linda Henry played Yvonne Atkins (Series 1–5)
Yyonne was one of Bad Girls’ biggest characters, but the star who played her is now far better known as EastEnders’ Shirley Carter, with Linda having played the Walford legend since 2006.
However, Shirley is actually Linda’s second role in the soap, as she was the original actor who played Lorraine Salter back in the 1990s.
Luisa Bradshaw-White played Lorna Rose (Series 1)
Luisa only appeared in the first series of Bad Girls, but from there, she went on to play Lisa Fox in Holby City from 2001 to 2005.
However, these days, Luisa is probably better known for playing Tina Carter in EastEnders, a role she had from 2013 to 2021, reuniting her with former Bad Girls co-star Linda Henry, who plays her on-screen sister Shirley.
Simone Lahbib played Helen Stewart (Series 1–3)
After Simone left her role as G-wing governor at the end of the third series, and went on to have a lead role in the sixth series of the BBC’s Monarch Of The Glen in 2004. She then played DI Alex Fielding in Wire In The Blood from 2006 to 2008 before a number of guest roles in the likes of New Tricks and the 2012 Downton Abbey Christmas special.
In 2013, she appeared in the Steve Coogan and Judi Dench film Philomena as Kate, and also opened a part-time performing arts school at the Bull Theatre in Barnet.
Since then, Simone has had a number of roles in independent and short films and in 2019, she appeared in ITV drama A Confession, based on the real-life murders of Swindon women Sian O’Callaghan and Becky Godden.
In 2020, she began playing Katy Lewis on EastEnders, a woman who had abused Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) as a child while he was in the care system.
Mandana Jones played Nikki Wade (starring Series 1–3)
Mandana left the show with Simone when their characters started a new life together away from Larkhall after Nikki’s release.
Bad Girls remains Mandana’s largest screen role, but she has enjoyed a number of guest appearances in shows including Doctors, EastEnders, Holby City, Born And Bred, Casualty, The Bill and Line Of Duty.
In 2016, she also played Aaron Dingle’s solicitor in Emmerdale, and appeared as a doctor in ITV’s Liar the following year.
Kika Mirylees played Julie Johnston (Series 1–8)
Kika played one half of prison double act The Two Julies, who appeared in all eight series of Bad Girls.
Soon after it finished, she landed a role in EastEnders as Hazel Hobbs, the mother of regular character Gary Hobbs. After leaving the soap in 2008, Kika had guest appearances in sitcom Not Going Out, New Tricks and Holby City.
In 2017, it was reported she was working as a councillor for Waverley Borough, but she’s still had time to pop up in BBC sitcom Mum as Lyn, and Kika also had a guest role in Doctors in 2020.
Victoria Alcock played Julie Saunders (Series 1–8)
Guest roles in a 2009 episode Doctor Who and daytime drama Missing marked Victoria’s first major TV appearances after Bad Girls finished.
From there, she appeared in EastEnders in 2012 as Mandy Salter’s mum Lorraine – a role previously played by Victoria’s former Bad Girls co-star Linda Henry, who now plays Shirley Carter in the soap.
These days, Victoria is best known as Miche’s mum Carol in BBC sitcom People Just Do Nothing, and Denise in CBBC drama The Dumping Ground.
Victoria has also made appearances in Call The Midwife, Holby City, Doctors and Birds Of A Feather.
Joanne Froggatt as Rachel Hicks (Series 1)
Having found fame as Zoe in Coronation Street during the late 90s, Joanne was one of the original cast members of Bad Girls, but only stuck with the show for one series.
These days, she’s probably best known as Anna Bates from Downton Abbey, a role she played from 2010 to 2015 and reprised in the 2019 film adaptation, and also won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in 2014.
Joanne then landed the lead role in ITV drama Liar, which concluded its second run in 2020, and has appeared in BBC dramas including Robin Hood, Moving On, The Street and Life On Mars.
She also played Val in the 2016 film A Street Cat Named Bob and voiced Wendy on Bob The Builder between 2015 and 2018.
Lara Cazalet as Zandra Plackett (Series 1–2)
After her character was killed off in the second series of Bad Girls, Lara went on to have guest roles in the likes of Holby City, Waking The Dead, Judge John Deed and Where The Heart Is.
In 2006, she took a lead role in New Street Law as Annie Quick and appeared in the 2008 film Lady Godiva.
Most recently, Lara had a minor role in 2017 ITV drama Fearless.
Claire King played Karen Betts (Series 2–5, 6)
Claire was better known as Emmerdale’s “superbitch” Kim Tate when she joined the cast of Bad Girls in her first major role since leaving the soap in 1999.
She has since headed back to the Dales, reprising her role in 2018. This came after a three-year stint in rival soap Coronation Street, where she played Erica Holroyd until 2017.
As well as her acting career, Claire also competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2006 and entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2014.
Nathan Constance played Josh Mitchell (Series 2–3, 4)
Shortly after leaving Bad Girls, Nathan was cast in sister show Footballers’ Wives, playing Ian Wamsley in the first two series.
After a guest role in The Bill, he played Chum in the 2006 film London To Brighton before taking on the role of Zac in the 2008 film Adulthood, the sequel to Kidulthood.
In 2009, Nathan played DC Connor in BBC drama Hunter and also had minor roles in Waking The Dead and Misfits.
More recently, he’s been lending his voice to video games, working on titles including Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, Titanfall, Lords of the Fallen and Battlefield 1.
Tracey Wilkinson played Di Barker (Series 2–7)
It’s fair to say prison officer Di’s Bad Girls storylines were as wild as some of the prisoners, and was last seen on remand for ex-husband Jim’s murder.
Tracey went on to have guest roles in the likes of Inspector George Gently, After You’ve Gone, The Bill and Doctors.
Since then, she’s made appearances in Outlander as the Reverend Wakefield’s housekeeper, and in 2016, she had an on-screen reunion with former Bad Girls husband James Gaddas in Casualty, as the mother of regular character Alicia Munroe.
Most recently, Tracey was seen in Amazon Prime series Carnival Row, playing the part of Afissa.
Paul Opacic played Mark Waddle (Series 3–4)
Paul was already known to Emmerdale fans (and indeed his Bad Girls co-star Claire King), having previously played Kim Tate’s ex-husband Steve Marchant.
After he left Bad Girls at the end of series four, he had guest roles in a number of dramas including The Bill, Cold Feet, The Royal and Waterloo Road, as well as main roles in Channel 4 comedy drama Totally Frank and the BBC drama The Chase.
In 2010, Paul joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Carl Costello – a role he had on-and-off for three years. He then reprised it for a brief stint in 2018 before Carl was murdered by Breda McQueen.
He also played a copper in the BBC’s real-life drama The Moorside in 2017, which was based on the disappearance of Shannon Matthews.
Kim Oliver played Buki Lester (Series 3–5)
After guest roles in Casualty, Doctors, Party Animals and The Bill, Kim’s last credited TV acting role was in 2007, when she appeared in an episode of Holby City.
Victoria Bush played Tina Purvis (Series 3–8)
Six years after Bad Girls finished, Victoria landed her next big screen role, playing Sonya Donnegan in Waterloo Road until 2015.
Since then, she’s popped up in episodes of Coronation Street, Casualty and Doctors, and in 2020, Victoria starred in Channel 4 sitcom Lee And Dean.
James Gaddas played Neil Grayling (Series 4–7, 8)
James appeared in the final series of Heartbeat in 2009 as Danny Riggs, and made 13 appearances in Doctors as Danny Riggs between 2008 to 2011.
He went on to appear in the seventh series of Waterloo Road as Alan Dixon before starring in six episodes of Emerdale in 2015. He also played the father of Casualty regular Alicia Munroe in two episodes.
Most recently, he was seen in an episode of Outlander in 2020, where he played a judge.
In the theatre, James has also West End roles in productions of Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia! and Spamalot.
Nicole Faraday played Snowball Merriman (Series 4–5)
Snowball was seen as another incarnation of Shell Dockley by many Bad Girls fans, and funnily enough when the show was adapted into a musical production in 2009, Nicole took on the role of Shell from Debra Stephenson.
She also appeared in six episodes of Emmerdale in 2013 as Veronica, and has also played Vinnie Jones’ wife, Kim Brookes, in the 2016 vigilante thriller Kill Kane.
Kellie Bright played Cassie Tyler (Series 4)
A former child star and The Archers voice actor, Kellie was already known to some audiences prior to joining the cast of Bad Girls.
She only stayed with the show for one series, before appearing in James Corden and Mat Horne’s ill-fated sketch show Horne & Corden and Only Fools And Horses prequel Rock And Chips as Joan Trotter in 2010.
Since 2013, Kellie has starred as Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter in EastEnders, and also took part in the 2015 series of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the final with partner Kevin Clifton.
Stephanie Beacham played Phyl Oswyn (Series 5–8)
The Dynasty and Colbys legend was already a household name when she joined the cast in series five as one half of the “Costa Cons”.
Stephanie went on to compete in the 2007 series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was voted out in the second week, became a housemate in Channel 4’s final Celebrity Big Brother in 2010, and was a participant on the BBC’s Real Marigold Hotel in 2018.
She also played Martha Fraser in Coronation Street in 2009 (famously having an affair with Ken Barlow aboard her houseboat), Lorraine in Sky One sitcom Trollied and appeared alongside Alison Steadman and Russ Abott in BBC sitcom Boomers.
Amanda Barrie played Bev Tull (Series 5–8)
Amanda was best known to soap fans as Coronation Street icon Alma Baldwin prior to joining Bad Girls.
Much like her former cast mate Stephanie Beacham, she has also appeared on The Real Marigold Hotel, but in 2017, and took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
Acting-wise, Amanda appeared as Psychic Sue in sitcom Benidorm between 2015 and 2017, and was last seen on screen last year in Channel 5’s Celebrity Five Go Barging.
Antonia Okonma played Darlene Cake (Series 6–8)
Following Bad Girls’ conclusion, Antonia competed in the second series of Sky One’s Cirque De Celebrité, where she finished fourth.
Antonia’s last credited TV acting role was in 2009 in BBC mini-series Moses Jones. She has also appeared in theatre productions of Torn and Iya Ile at the Arcola Theatre and Soho Theatre respectively.
On Instagram, Antonia’s bio reveals she is now also a business woman.
Eva Pope played Frances Myers (Series 6)
Best known for her roles in Coronation Street and Peak Practice, Eva joined Bad Girls in the sixth series as new governor Frances Myers, but only stuck with the show for one season.
Eva went on to star in Waterloo Road from 2007 to 2010, playing head teacher Rachel Mason, before guest roles in the likes of Law & Order: UK, Holby City, New Tricks, Silent Witness and kids series The Dumping Ground.
Until 2020, she was also part of the cast of CBBC series Hetty Feather, playing Matron Bottomly for five years.
Dannielle Brent played Natalie Buxton (Series 6–8)
After Danielle’s character was killed off, she was next seen in the 2009 film Shifty alongside Riz Ahmed, Daniel Mays and Jason Flemyng, which was written by her partner Eran Creevy.
That same year, she played her second guest character in The Bill, and has since popped up twice in Casualty, and was last seen on TV screens in an episode of Doctors in 2015.
Rebecca Hazlewood played Arun Parmar (Series 7)
Since finishing up on Bad Girls, Rebecca has been acting in the US, and these days is probably best known for playing Kamilah, the sister of Jameela Jamil’s character, in the sitcom The Good Place.
She played Asha in US sitcom Outsourced from 2010 to 2011, and had guest roles in episodes of Doctors, ER, Lost and Grey’s Anatomy. She also appeared alongside Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart in 2015 film Equals.
Most recently, Rebecca appeared in a 2020 episode of HBO series Room 104 as Agnes.
Liz May Brice played Pat Kerrigan (Series 7–8)
Liz played Larkhall’s last Top Dog, and after Bad Girls finished, she was on the other side of the law with a role in The Bill as an anti-terrorism officer.
In 2008, she appeared in former partner Charlie Brooker’s Big Brother-themed zombie horror Dead Set, before playing Gainsborough in the 2014 White Christmas episode of Charlie’s series Black Mirror.
In 2009, Liz played Agent Johnson in Torchwood’s Children of Earth, while in 2013, she had a four-episode guest role in EastEnders as a love interest for Billy Mitchell. She also appeared as Tina in Misfits.
Nicola Stapleton played Janine Nebeski (Series 7–8)
Nicola was well known for playing Mady Salter in EastEnders during the 90s, and she returned to the role in 2011. Her character famously embarked on a relationship with Ian Beale, before leaving a year later.
She’s also stared in rival soaps Emmerdale played Danielle Hutch for 14 episodes in 2008, and the Later specials of Hollyoaks in 2009 as Savannah Madeiros.
She currently voices the character Rosie in Thomas The Tank Engine, and was seen on screen in 2020 daytime drama London Kills.
Ellie Haddington played Joy Masterton (Series 7–8)
Having appeared in Foyle’s War prior to joining Bad Girls, Ellie continued to make appearances in the drama as Hilda Pearce until 2015.
The same year, she appeared in period drama Dickensian as Fanny Biggetywitch, while two years later, she joined the cast of Motherland as Julia’s mother Marion.
Most recently, she played Dr Moss in Russell T Davies drama Years and Years and Sheila Gemmell in BBC mini series Guilt.
Ellie has also had guest roles in Holby City, Scott & Bailey, Endeavour, Midsummer Murders, Luther and Ordinary Lies.
Colin Salmon played Rowan Dunlop (Series 8)
Colin was known as Charles Robinson in Bond films Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day before taking up the role of Dr Rowan Dunlop in the final series of Bad Girls.
Colin has had many starring roles since leaving Larkhall behind, including US dramas The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Single Ladies, Arrow, 24: Live Another Day and Limitless and Sofia The First.
Here in the UK, he played Rob Bennett in BBC sitcom Some Girls in 2014, DS Darren Maclaren in Channel 4’s No Offence in 2015, while his recent big-screen appearances include roles in 2016’s London Has Fallen and Criminal and 2018’s Mortal Engines.
Colin played General Zod on the US sci-fi series Krypton, appeared in a 2019 episode of Silent Witness and starred in Sky One sitcom Intelligence.
He’s also popped up in other series including Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, Doctor Who, Merlin, Law & Order: UK, Strike Back, Spooks, Death In Paradise, The Musketeers and Rev.
He was a contestant on the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was partnered with Kristina Rihanoff and made it to week five of the competition.
Angela Bruce played Mandy Goodhue (Series 8)
Angela had a plethora of famous role prior to patrolling Larkhall, including Red Dwarf, Doctor Who, Coronation Street and Press Gang.
After the show’s conclusion, she played Foreign Secretary Ruth Chambers in Spooks in 2007, as well as guest starring in the likes of Vera, Death In Paradise and Casualty.
In 2020, Angela popped up in Doctors, playing her sixth different guest character. This year has also seen her reprise the guest role of Ursula Stork in Holby City, having previously portrayed the character in 2018 (and played four other characters prior to that).
Amanda Donohoe played Lou Stoke (Series 8)
Amanda was an established star of stage and screen both in the UK and US prior to joining Bad Girls in its final series.
In 2009, she was a high-profile casting for Emmerdale, joining the soap as matriarch of the Wylde family, Natasha. She left the show after less than two years when her character was sent to prison for murdering husband Mark.
Since then, Amanda has appeared in BBC comedy drama Pramface and Channel 4 sitcom Toast Of London.