Read more about the article Interview: Pamela Rabe – Wentworth

Interview: Pamela Rabe – Wentworth

Playing one of the most formidable women in Wentworth prison – Joan ‘The Freak’ Ferguson – has given Pamela Rabe the freedom to develop as an actor.

Wentworth is much more than just a re-imagination of iconic Australian drama series Prisoner. After four successful seasons, it’s now as volatile and unpredictable as the female inmates who populate the titular prison, and continues to gain momentum and a legion of loyal fans.

“Each subsequent season has a huge responsibility to maintain the drama and excitement and then build on it,” says Pamela Rabe, who plays the prison’s fearsome and manipulative governor Joan Ferguson, aka The Freak – a role made famous by Maggie Kirkpatrick in the original series.

“I wanted her to stand alone,” says Rabe of her interpretation of the character. “I’ve worked with Maggie on the stage, and I know her well and know the impact of that character. Joan Ferguson in Wentworth is closer in her persona to Maggie’s character than others who share their names with Prisoner characters, but I chose not to study or incorporate anything Maggie had created. I happily slipped on the gloves and went to work.” (more…)

Continue ReadingInterview: Pamela Rabe – Wentworth
Read more about the article Female First: Pamela Rabe exclusive Wentworth Prison interview

Female First: Pamela Rabe exclusive Wentworth Prison interview

As one of the most celebrated actors to be a part of Wentworth Prison, Pamela Rabe has garnered an incredible fanbase since starring on the show, despite playing villainous Joan ‘The Freak’ Ferguson.

We got the opportunity to once again catch up with Pamela to find out all about filming some hugely emotional scenes in the fourth season of the show, how things work behind the scenes with her co-stars and much more…

(A huge thank you to fans who sent in questions for this interview! We love collaborating with you. If you’d like your Twitter handle included with your question, you know where to find me…)

In season 4 we see Joan go from Governor to prisoner – how did you find that transition?

Pretty challenging actually, is the short answer to that. I love a challenge, so it was really exciting as well. I think having played a character from the last couple of seasons who, for the most part felt pretty sure of who she was, as long as she had the bun and the uniform on, when that bit of armour disappears it suddenly becomes a much more tricky thing to negotiate. I was very intrigued with all the twists and turns that the writers threw into my past and did my best to embrace them, and work out how Joan would work her way through those things. (more…)

Continue ReadingFemale First: Pamela Rabe exclusive Wentworth Prison interview
Read more about the article From Wentworth’s Freak to heart of Tennessee Williams’ fragile clan

From Wentworth’s Freak to heart of Tennessee Williams’ fragile clan

A towering dramatic presence brings a fresh perspective to a classic take on family dynamics.

Wentworth Prison governor Joan Ferguson is a large and intimidating character. She wields her power over prisoners and corrections staff through manipulation and fear, much of it expressed in her looming physical form.

Amanda Wingfield, by contrast, is described as a little woman, but powerful. Tennessee Williams writes in his directions for The Glass Menagerie that while the character of Amanda is unwittingly cruel at times, she has some tenderness “in her slight person”.

“A little bird-like thing?” Pamela Rabe laughs, for she plays both Amanda and Joan.

Anyone who has seen Rabe in the television series Wentworth as the psychopathic “Freak” Ferguson towering over co-star Kate Atkinson– far more bird-like as Vera “Vinegar Tits” Bennett– will think some terrible miscasting has gone on for The Glass Menagerie.

Wrong: it is a clever strategy on the part of director Eamon Flack. Casting Rabe is entirely consistent with envisaging the grand emotion and dramatic presence of Amanda, once a “flouncing Southern belle”, as Rabe describes this central, imposing character. (more…)

Continue ReadingFrom Wentworth’s Freak to heart of Tennessee Williams’ fragile clan
Read more about the article Wentworth: Pamela Rabe unleashes ‘The Freak’

Wentworth: Pamela Rabe unleashes ‘The Freak’

Foxtel Insider would like to congratulate Pamela Rabe on winning the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama.

This is a testament to not just her performance but all those dedicated in her awesome transformation of Governor Ferguson aka ‘The Freak’ for Wentworth and is a testament to the writing, producing and acting chops of all those involved.

Foxtel Insider caught up with Pamela Rabe prior to Season 3 to discuss how it feels to play such an iconic character. Check out her response below.

(more…)

Continue ReadingWentworth: Pamela Rabe unleashes ‘The Freak’
Read more about the article YOU DON’T RUN THIS INTERVIEW, I DO: ‘Wentworth’ star Pamela Rabe on Joan “The Freak” Ferguson

YOU DON’T RUN THIS INTERVIEW, I DO: ‘Wentworth’ star Pamela Rabe on Joan “The Freak” Ferguson

by McKenzie Morrell on September 18, 2015

Every story needs a villain and man, we’ve hit the jackpot! Joan “The Freak” Ferguson is one of those anomalous creatures you hate the love and love to hate. The character, who is played by the incomparable Pamela Rabe, was introduced in season two of Foxtel’s reimagining of the prison drama and let’s just say that Wentworth will never be the same again.

Categorized as one of the meanest women on TV, Rabe sets the bar (extremely) high when it comes to all things freaky. Sporting her black leather gloves and ice cold stare, she might represent the law, but whether or not she upholds it (in a humane and ethical manner) is constantly up for interpretation. Ferguson, who is arguably the best psychopath we’ve seen on our screens in a long time, really brings the thunder with strategic planning, and her twisted sights set on complete and total revenge. Between her manipulative ways (RIP Jodie’s eye), or her struggle for power (all hail Queen Bea), this woman ain’t going down without a fight– and a fight you shall have. (more…)

Continue ReadingYOU DON’T RUN THIS INTERVIEW, I DO: ‘Wentworth’ star Pamela Rabe on Joan “The Freak” Ferguson
Read more about the article Pamela Rabe exclusive Wentworth interview – “I’ll say it, what the f**k, I’ll say it!”

Pamela Rabe exclusive Wentworth interview – “I’ll say it, what the f**k, I’ll say it!”

by Daniel Falconer |

In the third of our four Wentworth Prison interviews, Pamela Rabe talks all things freaky, her villainous character Joan Ferguson and more in a hilariously honest and refreshing interview. Read on to find out what she had to say.

First off, going back really to when you first joined the show, what drew you to Wentworth and the role of Joan Ferguson?

Oo, that’s a tricky one. I suppose, oh goodness. Many, many things. But the first part of it, I would say, I’ve often, because of the way I look really I suppose, and perhaps the way I act, I’ve often been given the opportunity to play some great, very strong women, and often wicked women. Although I wasn’t a huge watcher of the original Prisoner Cell Block H series, I was very aware of it and of its cultural impact. And also Maggie Kirkpatrick who originated the role of The Freak, Joan Ferguson, is a good mate of mine, and we’ve worked together onstage a number of times, so I was very aware of Maggie’s creation, more as a cultural icon than anything but also the impact that it’s had, and I’ve had lots of conversations around that. So I was very aware of what the role was, but not necessarily in its detail or complexity, but just kind of, as an archetype. (more…)

Continue ReadingPamela Rabe exclusive Wentworth interview – “I’ll say it, what the f**k, I’ll say it!”