Channel 5 picks up Wentworth

UK broadcaster Channel 5 has picked up Australian drama Wentworth, based on long-running crime series Prisoner: Cell Block H.

The FremantleMedia Australia production is due to premier on Foxtel’s pay TV channel SoHo in May this year and will air on C5 later in the year.

“Wentworth will be a great addition to Channel 5’s drama output this autumn,” said C5 head of acquisitions Katie Keenan. “This compelling cast of female characters packs an emotional punch and will appeal to the Channel 5 viewers who love our range of crime output from dramas to factual series.”

New Zealand public broadcaster TVNZ signed a presale agreement for the series earlier this month ahead of its international launch.