BEST OF THE BOX - TV'S SAUCIEST SERIES TURNS 50!

JUDY NUNN AND KEN JAMES FONDLY REMEMBER THE GROUNDBREAKING SOAP

- Craig Bennett

With its smorgasbord of sex, sin, boobs and bottoms, The Box was one of the naughtiest TV soap operas of the ’70s, not to mention a ratings sensation.

For cast member Judy Nunn, playing bisexual bedhopping vixen Vicki Stafford was the role of a lifetime. In fact, the actress and acclaimed author says Vicki is the “absolute favourite” of all the characters she has played, even beating out Home and Away’s Ailsa Stewart!

“Bette Davis was right – b---hes are fabulous to play as they invariably have the best storylines,” Judy, 79, explains to New Idea.

“Frankly, compared to Vicki Stafford, Ailsa could be a bit dull.”

The Box premiered 50 years ago, in February 1974, and ran until 1977. It was launched in reaction to the huge success of the now-iconic Number 96. The two series ran back-to-back on Network 10. In 1975, a movie was made.

Set in a fictional Melbourne TV station, storylines revolved around a hotbed of dramas engulfing the staff and stars of Channel 12.

“Many of the characters were based on real people,” shares Judy.