prison pals

Where the cast of Bad Girls are now – from soap stardom to Strictly success and West End fame

Jill Robinson

Published: 16:21, 12 Mar 2021
Updated: 16:23, 12 Mar 2021

BEFORE Orange is the New Black we had Bad Girls, a gripping ITV drama which ran from 1999 until 2006.

It followed the exploits and relationships of the prisoners and staff at the notorious Larkhall prison.

Bad Girls had viewers gripped during its run from 1999 until 2006Credit: ITV

Featuring graphic violence, language and sex, the series had the nation gripped.

Here's what some of the cast members have been up to since the show ended.

Kellie Bright

Kellie joined the show in series four as gay inmate Cassie Tyler.

She had first rose to fame as a child in The Upper Hand and after Bad Girls she starred in Rock & Chips before landing the role of Linda Carter in EastEnders.

She was also a runner-up on the 2015 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Linda Henry

Linda played Yvonne Atkins from the penultimate episode of series one until series five.

Yvonne was not one to be messed with and became 'top dog' of G-Wing before her death at the hands of Jim Fenner in series five.

Soon after Bad Girls ended, Linda landed the role of Shirley Carter in EastEnders, with Kellie becoming her daughter-in-law when she joined the show a few years later.

Luisa Bradshaw-White

Luisa is another actress who went from Larkhall Prison to Albert Square.

Luisa played young police officer Lorna Rose in the first series, but was sacked after being blackmailed by Shell and Zandra.

Luisa went on to star in Holby City before joining EastEnders in 2013 as Tina Carter, Shirley's sister.

Debra Stephenson

Debra played proper bad girl Shell Dockley, who was in prison for the kidnap, torture and murder of the woman who stole her boyfriend.

Shell was top dog for the first three series before managing to escape prison, however she returned in series five for a short stint.

Since Bad Girls, Debra has starred in Coronation Street as Frankie Baldwin and then returned to her comedy roots and impressions by teaming up with Jon Culshaw for The Impressions Show.

Claire King

Claire was already a familiar face on TV thanks to her role as Kim Tate in Emmerdale when she joined Bad Girls in series two.

Claire played new G-Wing governor Karen Betts and had an on-off relationship with Jim Fenner before he framed her for a hit and run.

Since then, Claire has played Erica Holroyd in Coronation Street and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, before returning to Emmerdale as Kim in 2018.

Joanne Froggatt

Joanne's stint on the show as Rachel Hicks was a lot shorter than some of the others, just four episodes in series one, but she had one of the most memorable plots.

The teen was serving a 12 month sentence for drug possession, but ended up taking her own life after discovering her mother had put her daughter up for adoption.

Since the show, Joanne has gone on to have a hugely successful career thanks to her roles in Downton Abbey and most recently, ITV drama Liar.

Victoria Alcock

Victoria played one of the 'Two Julies', Julie Saunders, and was one of just three characters to appear in all eight series.

Since the show ended, she has appeared in EastEnders, Doctor Who and currently stars in People Just Do Nothing as Miche's mum Carol.

Kika Mirylees

Kika was the other half of the 'Two Julies' and is now an acting coach

Kika played the other half of the 'Two Julies', Julie Johnston, also for the shows eight series run.

After the show ended, she played Hazel in EastEnders in 2007 as well as appearing in New Tricks and Doctors.

She now works as an acting coach and as a councillor for Waverley Borough Council.

Mandana Jones

Mandana played Nikki Wade in the first three series of the drama.

She was serving a life sentence for killing a policeman after he raped her then-girlfriend, but later won an appeal and was able to leave prison.

Since then, Mandana has had short stints in EastEnders, Doctors, Emmerdale and New Blood.