Bad Girls

Bad Girls centers on life inside a female prison, with a focus on the women of G Wing and the staff who manage them. Set in the fictional Larkhall's secure unit, the show follows a rotating group of inmates and officers as they navigate power plays, bruising rivalries, unexpected alliances, and personal dramas that spill beyond the bars. The tone swings from harsh discipline to wry humor, never shying away from tough topics like abuse, corruption, and resilience. Across eight series airing on ITV from 1999 to 2006, the ensemble cast and shifting loyalties create a vivid, audience driven portrait of life behind the walls. Its setting allows for fresh situations as inmates and guards cross familiar boundaries for good.

The series was created by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus and produced by Shed Productions. It aired on ITV from 1 June 1999 to 20 December 2006 and was shown in 17 countries, cementing its international footprint and critical acclaim.

Its international run helped Bad Girls find audiences far from its home channel and contributed to Shed Productions growth. The show is often cited for its bold take on prison life and for paving the way for later serialized dramas. Its international reach helped shape global perceptions of British drama.

Its ensemble kept viewers invested as new faces arrived. Critics praised the series for a strong ensemble and its willingness to mix serious issues with lighter moments. Themes include power and corruption within institutions, loyalty and survival among prisoners, and the impact of authority on both staff and inmates.

There is no box office figure for Bad Girls because it is a television series rather than a film. Its influence is measured in audience reach, longevity on ITV and afterlife in syndication and streaming availability in later years in global markets.