Val Lehman’s Tough Days On Prisoner – And Her Reunion Plans.
![Val Lehman - I Broke Her Nose](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5007/314216/5bf291c68a525/Val-Lehman-I-Broke-Her-Nose.jpg)
She’s famous for playing Prisoner’s fierce Top Dog Bea Smith in the famous Aussie series. But Val Lehman’s beloved character almost didn’t see the light of day – and neither did the show.
Speaking to New Idea, Val, 75, reveals bigwigs behind the scenes were set to can the Network Ten series before it had even aired.
She says there was little confidence the public would go for a show about a bunch of female inmates at the fictional Wentworth detention centre.
“The powers that be said, ‘No, no, it’s not going to work, give it up,’” Val says. “They said, ‘All the women are too ugly, their clothes are too boring, no-one’s going to watch it’”
This story is from the November 26, 2018 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 26, 2018 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![The true cost of BEING A CARER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/OsRgavjAL1719924066313/THE-TRUE-COST-OF-BEING-A-CARER.jpg)
The true cost of BEING A CARER
WHY THOSE LOOKING AFTER LOVED ONES NEED MORE SUPPORT THAN EVER
![CLINT AND SHIRLEY MAKE PEACE after 50 years!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/9gYURz4kB1719923536664/CLINT-AND-SHIRLEY-MAKE-PEACE-AFTER-50-YEARS.jpg)
CLINT AND SHIRLEY MAKE PEACE after 50 years!
COULD ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S LONGEST FEUDS FINALLY BE COMING TO AN END?
![Nova Peris I'M PRACTISING WHAT I PREACH!'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/r8tITekW71719923145445/NOVA-PERIS-IM-PRACTISING-WHAT-I-PREACH.jpg)
Nova Peris I'M PRACTISING WHAT I PREACH!'
DANCE IS A NEW BALL GAME FOR THIS ATHLETE!
![Fruits of the forest IT'S A DEEPLY HEALING PLACE'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/439cbkjig1719922987711/FRUITS-OF-THE-FOREST-ITS-A-DEEPLY-HEALING-PLACE.jpg)
Fruits of the forest IT'S A DEEPLY HEALING PLACE'
MONIQUE WANTS OTHERS TO TRY THE NEW CRAZE AND IT’S IN YOUR GARDEN!
![Tracy Grimshaw's SHOCK REALITY TV ROLE!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/C8_eLZQOZ1719922770650/TRACY-GRIMSHAWS-SHOCK-REALITY-TV-ROLE.jpg)
Tracy Grimshaw's SHOCK REALITY TV ROLE!
TV EXECS WANT THE JOURNO ONBOARD A HIT SHOW
![MICHAEL & CATHERINE DIVORCE RUMOURS EXPLODE again](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/MoiR_NjWp1719922651004/MICHAEL-CATHERINE-DIVORCE-RUMOURS-EXPLODE-AGAIN.jpg)
MICHAEL & CATHERINE DIVORCE RUMOURS EXPLODE again
SUDDEN HOUSE SALE SPARKS TALK OF A SHOCK SPLIT
![Network 10 stars...BOYCOTT ROBERT IRWIN!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/JTFZWst9O1719922319368/NETWORK-10-STARSBOYCOTT-ROBERT-IRWIN.jpg)
Network 10 stars...BOYCOTT ROBERT IRWIN!
HIS GOLD LOGIE NOMINATION HAS RUFFLED FEATHERS...
![Hugh MOVES TO LONDON FOR LOVE!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/hyHGhcX1Y1719922193603/HUGH-MOVES-TO-LONDON-FOR-LOVE.jpg)
Hugh MOVES TO LONDON FOR LOVE!
THE ACTOR IS READY TO MOVE ON AFTER HIS SHOCK SPLIT
![Natalie Barr 'THE SHOCK WENT RIGHT THROUGH ME'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/x6hTeoeIc1719921959270/NATALIE-BARR-THE-SHOCK-WENT-RIGHT-THROUGH-ME.jpg)
Natalie Barr 'THE SHOCK WENT RIGHT THROUGH ME'
THE SUNRISE STAR IS DEALING WITH A SHOCK DIAGNOSIS
![Julian Assange released A COMPLICATED LEGACY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5007/1748066/HSCXB21Ss1719921491891/JULIAN-ASSANGE-RELEASED-A-COMPLICATED-LEGACY.jpg)
Julian Assange released A COMPLICATED LEGACY
INSIDE THE AUSTRALIAN’S 14-YEAR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM