Back in the Cells as Fletch in Prison Drama Wentworth

Auckland-born actor, Logie Award-winning Aaron Jeffery, who graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1993, stars in the popular Australian television prison drama Wentworth, which will return to screens for a second season in 2014. The first episode of the first series was the most-watched non-sports program in Australian subscription television history. According to the Herald Sun, “Wentworth is a work of rare creative synergy, both gritty and heartfelt, thanks to an exceptional production team and cast including [New Zealander] Danielle Cormack, Kris McQuade, Nicole da Silva and Jeffery.” Jeffery is no stranger to being part of a male minority, having been a foundation cast member of McLeod’s Daughters, and loves working alongside such powerhouse women. He was also a fan of the show that inspired Wentworth, cult hit Prisoner. “I used to come home from school and watch it … I remember Bea and Lizzie and Vera,” Jeffery says. “Bea was tough and scary. It was a great show. This is like McLeod’s in that it’s female driven. This is different because it’s a prison and the women are complex, vulnerable and strong.” Jeffery plays prison guard Matt “Fletch” Fletcher, a former member of the armed forces who has had post-traumatic stress disorder following a stint in Timor. “I don’t think I could do it [work in a prison],” Jeffery says. “I did find it a bit depressing going out there to the set every day and working under the fluoro lights.” Production on season two of Wentworth will begin late this year at a purpose-built prison set in Melbourne. Jeffery also played Frank in Underbelly: Badness. In Wentworth, Cormack plays hairdresser Bea Smith, on remand for attempted murder of her abusive husband.