Talking Prisoner

Welcome to Episode 6 of Corals Soapbox, where Coral Drouyn, a seasoned veteran of Australian television, delves into the depths of iconic TV shows. Coral's extensive resume includes work on beloved series like Neighbours, Home and Away, and, notably, Prisoner. As a script writer, Script Editor, Story Liner, and Story Editor on Prisoner, Coral shaped some of the show's most memorable characters and storylines.In this episode, Coral joins Matt to explore the captivating Barnhurst 5 storyline fr...

Introducing Our New Co-Host: Director Tim BurnsWe're thrilled to announce that Matt Batten will now be joined by a new co-host on Talking Prisoner—none other than independent filmmaker Tim Burns! With a portfolio of cinematic gems that encapsulate Australian culture and history, Tim is no stranger to compelling storytelling.His cult classic film, "Boronia Boys, perfectly captures the essence of Australian suburbia in the late 2000s. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. His creative prowess...

Welcome to Episode 55 of Talking Prisoner, where your host, Matt Batten, has a profound conversation with Buddhist prison chaplain, Susan Shannon. Susan's remarkable career spans over four decades, with her most striking experiences centred around her work on death row at San Quentin Prison.In this episode, we delve deep into Susan's life story, from her childhood years to her conversion to Tibetan Buddhism. Susan reveals her unexpected love for the hit TV show, The Sopranos, and shares a bit...

Welcome to Episode 56 of Talking Prisoner where your host, Matt Batten, enjoys a sit-down with Lynne McGranger, best known for her role as Irene Roberts on the long-running soap, Home and Away. With nearly three decades on the show, Lynne proudly holds the title of longest-serving female cast member.Before capturing our hearts as Irene, Lynne graced several other Australian TV shows such as The Flying Doctors, Skirts, Street Angels, Seven Deadly Sins, and Sky Trackers. In this episode, Lynne ...

Talking Prisoner EP 54 Interview with Governor Eddie Mullins Mountjoy Prison Welcome to Episode 54 of Talking Prisoner where our host, Matt Batten, has an enlightening conversation with Governor Eddie Mullins of Mountjoy Prison in Ireland.In this episode, Eddie shares his life's journey that led him to the prison service in 1991 and his eventual ascension to the role of governor. Our conversation delves into various aspects of prison life, including the rehabilitation process, the p...

Welcome to Episode 53 of Talking Prisoner, where we shine the spotlight on the creative genius behind Prisoner's hauntingly beautiful theme song, 'On the Inside'. Our special guest today is none other than the legendary Allan Caswell, a luminary in the Australian country music scene with a Golden Guitar, multiple chart-topping hits, and over 900 songs to his credit. Although he never made an on-screen appearance in Prisoner, his contribution to the series' atmosphere and mood through 'On...

Welcome to this special episode of Talking Prisoner. Today, we're thrilled to host our guest, Louise Siversen, as we discuss her new theatre production, 'Under Ms Archer,' currently playing at St. Martin's Theatre in South Yarra. Under Ms Archer is a unique blend of drama and comedy that brings a 21st-century woman face-to-face with a medieval man, sparking a culture war that takes no prisoners. In this episode, Louise and I delve into the genesis of the show, the inspiration behind it, ...

Talking Prisoner Cell Block H EP 52 Interview with Susan Guerin Barbara FieldsWelcome to Talking Prisoner Episode 52! Join hosts Ken Mulholland and Matt Batten as they sit down with Susan Guerin, famous for her role as the memorable inmate Barbara Fields in Prisoner. Susan contributed her talents to 26 unforgettable episodes in 1982, ending her journey with the series finale of the year. Beyond Prisoner, Susan has made notable appearances in Sara Dane, Cop Shop, and the TV movie, Robber...

Welcome to Episode 7 of Talking Prisoner Presents, where hosts Ken Mulholland and Matt Batten had an engaging conversation with the legendary Australian TV actor, Shane Withington. Boasting a career spanning over four decades, Shane is best known for his roles as Brendan Jones in A Country Practice and John Palmer in Home and Away.In this insightful interview, Shane shares his childhood experiences and the origins of his passion for acting. As an avid sailor, he also recounts some adventurous...

Interview with Betty Bobbitt and Anne Phelan Welcome to this special episode of Talking Prisoner. This interview has never been made public, This episode is devoted to the memory of Betty Bobbitt and Anne Phelan. Betty played Judy Bryant between 1980 to 1985 in 429 episodes and Anne played Top Dog Myra Desmond. It was shot as a promo for the charity event on January 21, 2000, at The Forum theatre in Melbourne. Anne was on the organizing committee of the 21st Anniversary reunion party fo...