# Bad Girls series 3

Bad Girls returned to ITV with its third series on 20 March 2001 and ended on 3 July 2001. It consists of 16 episodes.

## Storylines

The third series picks up directly from the series two finale. Shell has led Fenner into her trap by luring him into her cell and stabbing him with a broken bottle she smuggled back from Bodybag's anniversary party. Fenner almost loses his life, while Hollamby has Shell transferred to the mental health wing where she comes face-to-face with an old enemy. Helen manages to get Nikki back into Larkhall where Helen puts an end to their relationship. Shell and Denny escape and wreak havoc in London, as they pay Hollamby a surprise visit at her home. Things seem to be going well for Crystal, who has recently been released from prison and is now engaged to Josh, but things are set to get worse as Shell and Denny arrive at her house. Maxi and Tina Purvis and Al MacKenzie (aka The Peckham Bootgang) arrive on G-Wing and make their presence known to the prisoners and officers alike. Josh has just become a prison officer, but he's in for a shock when he sees that Crystal is back on the wing. Nikki is set for her appeal, and if she wins, will she find Helen waiting for her?

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) |
| 24 | 1 | "Back From the Brink" | Mike Adams | Maureen Chadwick | 20 March 2001 (2001-03-20) | 9.42 |
| Revenge-hungry Shell is armed and locked in a cell with Fenner. The officers, still recovering from Sylvia's party, must take drastic action. Helen too returns escaped prisoner Nikki to Larkhall. |||||||
| 25 | 2 | "The Turn of the Screw" | Mike Adams | Jayne Hollinson | 27 March 2001 (2001-03-27) | 8.49 |
| Fenner dies but is resuscitated and transferred to the hospital. Karen reveals that Dominic is not returning to the prison service. Sylvia is determined to make Shell suffer for her attack on Fenner and gets her moved to a psychiatric ward. "Mad" Tessa, Shell's old adversary, is ready and waiting to do the rest and Shell meets "Podger" Pam. Sylvia proposes a strike when Shell is returned to G-Wing. |||||||
| 26 | 3 | "The Chains of Freedom" | Laurence Moody | Phil Ford | 3 April 2001 (2001-04-03) | 8.59 |
| Shell is returned to G-Wing but is confined to her cell. Julie S is out of prison on a tag and meets her old flame, Trevor. The women jump at the chance to run the wing themselves, when the strike takes place and the officers are on "sick leave", things are going swimmingly – until a large knife goes missing. Note: guest appearance of Monica Lindsey (Jane Lowe); first appearance of Gina Rossi (Lisa Turner) |||||||
| 27 | 4 | "False Identity" | Laurence Moody | Martin Allen | 10 April 2001 (2001-04-10) | 9.10 |
| Julie S is back in Larkhall. Babs is shocked to hear that she's been accused of bigamy and murder. New officer Gina Rossi arrives and stirs up trouble for Shell and the officers. Yvonne is getting legal advice of her own – from a succession of hunky young men, until her husband's lawyer turns up. |||||||
| 28 | 5 | "Blood Ties" | Laurence Moody | Liz Lake | 17 April 2001 (2001-04-17) | 8.60 |
| New girl on the wing Buki Lester challenges Denny to prove how tough she is, while Yvonne challenges husband Charlie in court. Denny almost bleeds to death and Fenner returns to work to find Shell waiting for him. Also, Charlie receives a gift in the form of a pizza man. Note: first appearance of Buki Lester (Kim Oliver) |||||||
| 29 | 6 | "Do or Die" | Jo Johnson | Maureen Chadwick | 24 April 2001 (2001-04-24) | 8.84 |
| Tensions mount as "Podger" Pam arrives on G-Wing and the new doctor, Dr. Waugh, impresses Helen, who is upset with Nikki when she lashes out following her spontaneous cell fire. Josh begins his stint as a trainee PO under the ever-watchful eye of Di, who claims to have just come out of a relationship but starts a new obsession with Josh. |||||||
| 30 | 7 | "The Great Escape" | Jo Johnson | Jaden Clark | 1 May 2001 (2001-05-01) | 8.51 |
| A fly-on-the-wall documentary crew invades HMP Larkhall, creating havoc in the process. Buki cuts up and reveals the truth of her childhood. Fenner sees a chance to get rid of Shell for good. |||||||
| 31 | 8 | "Uninvited Guests" | Mike Adams | Phil Ford | 8 May 2001 (2001-05-08) | 9.14 |
| Shell and Denny celebrate their freedom with a vodka and cocaine binge. But before they make it to the airport they have a few grudges to settle, starting with Sylvia and Bobby Hollamby. Shaz is returned to Larkhall along with Crystal. |||||||
| 32 | 9 | "Common Criminal" | Mike Adams | Martin Allen | 15 May 2001 (2001-05-15) | 9.10 |
| Aristocratic "it-girl" Charlotte Myddleton is sentenced to a year in Larkhall for drug offences and the other inmates don't react too kindly to the new Prada-clad prisoner, but they begin to help her when she attempts suicide. Note: first appearance of Mark Waddle (Paul Opacic) |||||||
| 33 | 10 | "Chapel of Love" | Jim O'Hanlon | Jayne Hollinson | 22 May 2001 (2001-05-22) | 8.40 |
| Crystal is on hunger strike to protest against her incorrect drugs test results and it seems that only new girl Charlotte can save her. Di begins to abuse her mother when Josh confronts her about her deceit. Di then schemes to stop Josh and Crystal's wedding in a small ceremony in the prison chapel. Also, a new group of girls arrive, calling themselves the Peckham Boot Gang. Note: first appearance of Maxi Purvis (Kerry Norton); first appearance of Tina Purvis (Victoria Bush); first appearance of Al Mackenzie (Pauline Campbell) |||||||
| 32 | 11 | "Battle Lines" | Jim O'Hanlon | Jaden Clark | 29 May 2001 (2001-05-29) | 8.60 |
| The Peckham Boot Gang arrive on G-Wing and stir up trouble. Al McKenzie begins bully Shaz. When Nigerian prisoner Femi is bullied by the officers, Nikki organises a sit-in to help. But with the Peckham Boot Gang involved, things look like getting out of hand, and a riot takes place on G-Wing. Plus, the Peckham Boot Gang reveals their plan to get rid of Yvonne, after Yvonne batters Al. |||||||
| 35 | 12 | "Tough Love" | Jim O'Hanlon | Martin Allen | 5 June 2001 (2001-06-05) | 8.41 |
| The fall-out from the riot leaves Nikki very unpopular so she is grateful of support from an attractive new prisoner, Caroline, that is until Maxi Purvis finds some nasty surprises in Caroline's past. The Julies are released and arrested in the space of 5 minutes. |||||||
| 36 | 13 | "Revolving Doors" | Laurence Moody | Jayne Hollinson | 12 June 2001 (2001-06-12) | 8.46 |
| The Julies are returned to Larkhall on remand along with wealthy madame Virginia O'Kane, an old friend, but both the inmates and officers are ill-equipped to deal with the disabled grand dame, but she hides a secret. Maxi warns her sister Tina to stay away from Virginia. Note: first appearance of Virginia O'Kane (guest star Kate O'Mara) |||||||
| 37 | 14 | "Fronting Up" | Laurence Moody | Jaden Clark | 19 June 2001 (2001-06-19) | 8.18 |
| Fenner and Virginia strike a deal that could make him a very rich man. Helen gets wind of it and sets out to prove that Fenner is unfit to work with woman prisoners with the help of Yvonne. The Peckham Boot Gang reveals Virginia's secret causing her to be very unpopular. Note: final appearance of Gina Rossi (Lisa Turner) Alternative title: "Standing Up" |||||||
| 38 | 15 | "Cat & Mouse" | Di Patrick | Phil Ford | 26 June 2001 (2001-06-26) | 8.12 |
| Yvonne exposes the deal between Fenner and Virginia. Fenner decides to strike back – and Babs' diary gives him all the leverage he needs, but this could mean trouble for Nikki. Al and Maxi get annoyed when Tina breaks away from the gang and continues to be friends with Virginia. |||||||
| 39 | 16 | "Coming Out" | Di Patrick | Jaden Clark | 3 July 2001 (2001-07-03) | 8.15 |
| Fenner proposes to Karen and gets cosy with Maxi. The Peckham Boot Gang make up with Virginia but all is not what it seems. Fenner's campaign against Helen hots up and Nikki's appeal gives him the ideal outlet for his schemes. Crystal announces a miracle, but even the divine cannot help Yvonne who is accused of murder. Note: final appearance of Helen Stewart (Simone Lahbib), Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones), Shell Dockley (Debra Stephenson) until a guest appearance in Series 5 and Virginia O'Kane (guest star Kate O'Mara) |||||||

## Reception
### Ratings

| No. | Title | Air date | Timeslot | Weekly ratings | Weekly ratings | Ref(s) |
| No. | Title | Air date | Timeslot | Viewers | Rank | Ref(s) |
| 1 | Back from the Brink | 20 March 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 9,420,000 | 16 | |
| 2 | The Turn of the Screw | 27 March 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,490,000 | 17 | |
| 3 | The Chains of Freedom | 3 April 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,590,000 | 14 | |
| 4 | False Identity | 10 April 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 9,100,000 | 12 | |
| 5 | Blood Ties | 17 April 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,600,000 | 14 | |
| 6 | Do it Die | 24 April 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,840,000 | 13 | |
| 7 | The Great Escape | 1 May 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,510,000 | 11 | |
| 8 | Uninvited Guests | 8 May 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 9,140,000 | 6 | |
| 9 | Common Criminal | 15 May 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 9,100,000 | 9 | |
| 10 | Chapel of Love | 22 May 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,400,000 | 6 | |
| 11 | Battle Lines | 29 May 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,600,000 | 11 | |
| 12 | Tough Love | 5 June 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,410,000 | 9 | |
| 13 | Revolving Doors | 12 June 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,460,000 | 13 | |
| 14 | Fronting Up | 19 June 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,180,000 | 10 | |
| 15 | Cat & Mouse | 26 June 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,120,000 | 11 | |
| 16 | Coming Out | 3 July 2001 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | 8,150,000 | 10 | |

### Awards and nominations

* EMMA Awards (2001) – TV Actress (Alicya Eyo ― Nominated)
* National Television Awards (2001) – Most Popular Actress (Debra Stephenson – Nominated)
* National Television Awards (2001) – Most Popular Drama (Won)
* TV Quick Awards (2001) – Best Actress (Debra Stephenson – Won)
* TV Quick Awards (2001) – Best Loved Drama (Won)

## Release

The third series of Bad Girls was originally released on VHS format in the UK, consisting of 5 volumes. The DVD was released on 25 March 2002. A re-release DVD is expected to be released in 2011, both as a single and also in a boxset along with series four. Series three was released in the series one-four boxset on 9 October 2006.
In Australia, series three was released on 8 September 2003 in the same cover packaging as the UK DVD. A second release was made when it was released in the series one-eight boxset, "The Complete Collection", on 10 November 2010. It was also released separate for the complete boxset on 9 March 2011.
Bad Girls: Series Three :
| Set Details | Set Details | Set Details | Special Features |
| 16 episodes 6-disc set 4-disc set (re-release) 4:3 aspect ratio 16:9 aspect ratio (re-release) Subtitles: no English (stereo) | 16 episodes 6-disc set 4-disc set (re-release) 4:3 aspect ratio 16:9 aspect ratio (re-release) Subtitles: no English (stereo) | 16 episodes 6-disc set 4-disc set (re-release) 4:3 aspect ratio 16:9 aspect ratio (re-release) Subtitles: no English (stereo) | Interactive Map of Larkhall Prison Outtakes Prison File: Behind the Scenes, Subsidiary Character Profiles and Interviews: Sharon Duncan-Brewster (crystal Victoria Bush (Tina) Pauline Campbell (Al) Jack Ellis (Jim) Claire King (Karen) Simone Lahbib (Helen) Nathan Constance (Josh) Helen Fraser (Sylvia) Lara Cazalet (Zandra) Kika Mirylees (Julie J) Lindsey Fawcett (Shaz) Mandana Jones (Nikki) Tracey Wilkinson (Di) Linda Henry (Yvonne) Audio CD: Features music from the series |
| Interactive Map of Larkhall Prison Outtakes Prison File: Behind the Scenes, Subsidiary Character Profiles and Interviews: Sharon Duncan-Brewster (crystal Victoria Bush (Tina) Pauline Campbell (Al) Jack Ellis (Jim) Claire King (Karen) Simone Lahbib (Helen) Nathan Constance (Josh) Helen Fraser (Sylvia) Lara Cazalet (Zandra) Kika Mirylees (Julie J) Lindsey Fawcett (Shaz) Mandana Jones (Nikki) Tracey Wilkinson (Di) Linda Henry (Yvonne) Audio CD: Features music from the series ||
| United Kingdom | Australia | | Interactive Map of Larkhall Prison Outtakes Prison File: Behind the Scenes, Subsidiary Character Profiles and Interviews: Sharon Duncan-Brewster (crystal Victoria Bush (Tina) Pauline Campbell (Al) Jack Ellis (Jim) Claire King (Karen) Simone Lahbib (Helen) Nathan Constance (Josh) Helen Fraser (Sylvia) Lara Cazalet (Zandra) Kika Mirylees (Julie J) Lindsey Fawcett (Shaz) Mandana Jones (Nikki) Tracey Wilkinson (Di) Linda Henry (Yvonne) Audio CD: Features music from the series |
| 25 March 2002 4 July 2011 (re-release) | 8 September 2003 9 March 2011 (re-release) | | Interactive Map of Larkhall Prison Outtakes Prison File: Behind the Scenes, Subsidiary Character Profiles and Interviews: Sharon Duncan-Brewster (crystal Victoria Bush (Tina) Pauline Campbell (Al) Jack Ellis (Jim) Claire King (Karen) Simone Lahbib (Helen) Nathan Constance (Josh) Helen Fraser (Sylvia) Lara Cazalet (Zandra) Kika Mirylees (Julie J) Lindsey Fawcett (Shaz) Mandana Jones (Nikki) Tracey Wilkinson (Di) Linda Henry (Yvonne) Audio CD: Features music from the series |