"I'm getting out.. I got parole!"
Doreen Anderson (Prisoner #335-571) is former inmate of Wentworth Correctional Centre.
Doreen is a reformed drug user after she lost her first child to dangerous driving whilst under the influence of drugs. Doreen is one of a few prisoners to receive a happy ending.
Doreen is released on parole to be with her son Josh and partner Nash after an unsuccessful plan to transfer to Perth.
Prior to Wentworth[]
Doreen grew up in an Aboriginal community where everyone seemed to know each other. She didn't really have any boundaries, and even while pregnant, thought nothing of heavy drinking and drug using, while partying. At one such party, she left in her car to go to McDonalds, and had an accident on the way.
In hospital, Doreen had an ultrasound and found that she lost her baby, and was sent to Wentworth, charged with Reckless Endangerment.
Time at Wentworth[]
Doreen Anderson has a sentence of 5 years at Wentworth, charged with Reckless Endangerment.
During her time at Wentworth, she has become close to Liz Birdsworth. She is also friends with Franky Doyle, and is part of her gang.
When Bea Smith first meets Kaiya, she (and the public) are under the impression that Kaiya is her daughter. Doreen asks Bea to look after Kaiya while she helps Franky in a riot outside.
Episode 2[]
The police begin their investigation into Meg Jackson (Wentworth) murder by taking Bea Smith (Wentworth) and Doreen's statements. Doreen explains in the statement that there were women everywhere and Kaiya had run but Bea and Mrs Jackson were already on the ground, and that Meg had looked long gone before she got there.
Doreen begs Franky to join Kaiya's birthday celebration. Franky isn't interested, but she obviously cares about Kaiya, so she throws Doreen a Cherry Ripe and tells her to give it to Kaiya. Doreen comes out of the cell and says that they should get on with it and Liz asks where Franky is and Doreen says that Franky isn't doing it and Boomer says surprise surprise as Liz says that three people are enough. The PA goes off telling everyone that the count will commence in 10 minutes and Toni says that they should hurry up. Doreen then asks Kaiya whose birthday it is and she excitedly says that it is hers and Doreen asks her what she would like and she says 'hot potato', the ladies perform the dance for her.
Will blackmails Doreen into finding Meg's killer or else Kaiya will get taken out of the prison
In the yard Doreen with Kaiya and Toni are walking and Doreen asks Toni if she wants to get sprung and Toni tells her to chill, Will calls out to Doreen and Doreen tells Toni to go back to her unit. Doreen welcomes Will back and says that Kaiya drew him a picture and Doreen says that she helped with the writing and Kaiya did the rest. Will then proceeds to rip up the drawing and throws it back to Doreen. Will then asks her who killed Meg and Doreen says that she doesn't know, Will tells Doreen that all it takes is "one drug bust" and Kaiya is gone, he tells Doreen that she has 24 hours to find out who did it and that she has to get answers from Bea Smith, Will then walks away and Kaiya hugs Doreen.
When Bea returns to her unit Doreen grabs Bea and Doreen demands Bea tell her what she knows about Meg's death in the riot and Bea tells her that she doesn't know anything and that she was also there during the riot, Doreen says she didn't see anything, as Doreen grips the shiv until her hand bleeds she apologises before running away leaving a confused Bea shocked.
As Doreen is in her cell looking at all of Kaiya's photos she has a flashback to a party where she is celebrating using drugs and drinking, when she grabs the keys to her car and drives. Liz and Bea walk into Doreen's cell and see her on the floor, Liz asks Doreen what is happening, Doreen has a minor flashback to her in hospital as she explains to Liz and Bea that Mr Jackson is blackmailing her to find out who killed Meg Jackson (Wentworth) or else he will take Kaiya away and Doreen also says that he thinks Bea knows something about it. Bea tells her that she doesn't know and Doreen says that Will said he get rid of Kaiya somehow and Bea asks how, Doreen says that Will would plant something and Liz says that if drugs are found in the cell it would take Kaiya out of the prison for good. Liz tells Doreen that everything will be ok and that they will go to the governor and talk to her about it, Doreen says not to because she says if Will finds out he will know and says not to tell anyone because she can't lose Kaiya and stuff up again, Doreen has another flashback to her having an oxygen mask on her face in the hospital.
During the night Doreen is talking with Kaiya about the zoo and how it was. As Toni is trying to sleep, Doreen asks Kaiya what noise one of the animals makes and as they make the noise this annoys Toni who tells them to both shut up as she is trying to get some sleep. Doreen tells Toni that it's not even 7 and they're just talking about the zoo, Toni again tells them to shut up as she doesn't want to hear about the zoo, Doreen tells Kaiya to go and see Liz as she can give her a biscuit. Doreen says to Toni that it is Kaiya's birthday and they were just trying to have some fun, Toni tells Doreen to shut up again and Doreen says that Kaiya deserves to be looked after because Toni is so off her face half the time she doesn't realise that Kaiya has been freaked out by the police dogs for weeks. Toni says to Doreen that she is basically stealing and looking after Kaiya because her own baby died, Doreen furious storms out of the cell and Toni says to her that the truth hurts, Doreen sits alone at the table and has a cup of tea all to herself.
Doreen tells Bea to fight for Debbie after she refuses to call her
Doreen apologies to Bea for the other day and Bea says she was just looking Kaiya like anyone would do. Bea asks how Kaiya is after the raid and Doreen says she's ok and that she is still a 'bit sooky' because she hates the dogs. Bea tells Doreen that Kaiya is gorgeous. Doreen then says she has been looking after her ever since Toni made her carer when she couldn't cope, Bea asks for how long and she says since she was two. Doreen reveals that she wanted to make things right as she wasn't there for her baby and Bea asks where she is, Doreen reveals the reason why she is in Wentworth is because her baby died and a flashback to the hospital where the doctor crudely says that the baby had no chance with a 'mother like that' and they'll have to induce. Doreen tells Bea that she had an accident when she was pregnant and the accident hurt people and that's why she is in Wentworth. Bea tries to console Doreen and Doreen tells her heartbreakingly how she still had to give birth to her little girl and how she held the girl in her arms. Doreen then says Wentworth has been good for her as it got on her the straight and narrow and she met Kaiya and she felt like she had a second chance but she knows Kaiya has been struggling the last few months and she agrees with Bea's statement that a kid doesn't belong in prison, but she wants to know if she is making the correct decision and Bea says that you never really know you just know the feeling in your gut. Doreen calls what Bea said bullshit, Bea says it's not fair to make Debbie keep on going through it, Doreen says that Bea is her mum and that she has given up and she says how Debbie would feel, Bea doesn't say anything and walks away.
Doreen hugs Kaiya goodbye after realising Kaiya can no longer be in Wentworth due to the dangers of prison
In the yard Doreen and Kaiya are drawing as Doreen says the drawing that she is coloring in looks pretty. Doreen then goes through Kaiya's drawing book and sees that she has drawn houses with bars on the window and one that gets to her: bars and a girl crying because a dog is next to her. Toni comes over and says she hopes there are no 'fuckin animal noises' tonight and Doreen gives Toni a look, Toni says that Kaiya has heard it all before. Doreen asks Toni if she wants to draw and Toni says 'Do I look like I want too?' tells Toni to go back to the unit before someone notices that she is "pinned", Toni tells Doreen that she was given 'good shit'. Doreen asks Toni who gave it too her and Toni just says 'the smack fairy'. Doreen looks over to Kaiya and then looks over in the yard to see Matthew Fletcher on duty. Doreen then asks Toni to go to H4 because 'Martha owes her rollies' Toni tells Doreen to do it herself but Doreen says that she will give Toni half, Toni accepts the offer and goes to walk away but she stumbles in front of Fletch and Fletch notices this and pulls Toni aside as Doreen watches on Fletch tells Toni he won't search her in front of her daughter but will take her inside as the two leave Steven who is watching quickly walks away as Doreen tells Kaiya to get her bag and Kaiya asks if she is going to visit grandma, Doreen says yes and it will be a long visit.
Doreen later says a tearful goodbye to Kaiya as she hands her over to Kaiya's grandmother who can now look after her. Doreen is gifted Kaiya's teddy.
In episode 5 she is asked by the Governor of Wentworth, Erica Davidson to be the new Support Peer, as Liz's behaviour in the previous episode made her unfit for the role.
Season 2[]
In Season 2 she meets a prisoner from Walford prison, Nash Taylor, they fall in love and she gets pregnant.
Season 3[]
In season 3 Doreen gives birth to Josh, and he is kidnapped by Jessica Warner but it found in time by Joan Ferguson.
Season 4[]
In season 4 Doreen as a rising tension with top dog Bea, and she gets closer to inmate Joan Ferguson and Red Right Hand leader Kaz Proctor. She later changes her mind after knowing Ferguson’s real intentions which was to destroy Bea and Will.
Season 5[]
Ep 2[]
Boomer, Liz, Doreen and Maxine go to visit Franky and as they go to see her, Liz tells Boomer to give her some space as Doreen says to not smother her and Boomer says that Franky can make things 'normal again'. As they get to the unit they see Franky and she sees them, she is dejected that she is back at Wentworth. But when she embraces them they welcome her back. . Doreen asks her why she is back and if she broke her parole, Franky reveals that she has been remanded into Wentworth as the cops reckon she killed Mike Pennisi, the women refuse to believe it. Liz asks why she isn't in with them and Franky says that it was Bea's cell and she couldn't do that. Maxine offers up her cell as she reveals she is being sent to Barnhurst to continue her cancer treatment as Boomer says that 'Barnhurst won't be forever', they give her looks. Boomer then asks Franky as Kaz's crew walks back into the unit and says when is she going to make her move for top dog, Franky not a fan of the idea doesn't say anything as Liz questions Boomer saying it is not appropriate, Boomer tells them that someone needs to go payback on what Ferguson did to Bea.
Doreen is showing Liz and Maxine new photos of Josh and Maxine says that Josh is a little cutie and Doreen jokes and says he takes after her. Liz tells Doreen again that she should put in for that transfer to Perth as she shouldn't have to keep missing out on Josh growing up. Boomer comes back into the unit and says everything is fucked and what is Franky's problem. Liz says that she told her to give Franky some space, and Maxine tells her that she has a lot of on her mind, Boomer says so does she. Sonia returns to the unit and says that she needs a good stiff drink and orders Liz to get her shampoo bottle of single malt, and not the conditioner as it is conditioner. Doreen asks if her meeting with her lawyer didn't go well and Sonia reveals that her trial starts any day now and out of the blue a "mystery witness" as come forward saying she "confessed" to them and has come forward as "Witness X". Doreen asks if they know who it is and Sonia says that the person is anonymous and that it is possibly a woman as men tend to like her more because the women present company excluded think she will run off with their men. Boomer asks if she did do that and Sonia laughs and says one or two, and Boomer calls her a 'slag' and then asks can you be a slag if you're rich and Sonia says that you're a mistress, Sonia says that she'll do more then steal a husband when she finds out who Witness X is, and Liz just looks at her.
Liz is in her cell practicing her speech about Sonia when she hears a knock at the door and Doreen enters, Liz is spooked by Doreen and says that she surprised her that she almost gave her a heart attack. Doreen then says that Boomer is still a mess after Maxine left and Liz says that someone will need to look out for her for the next while. Doreen then asks what the letter is for. Liz lies and says that it is a letter from Barnhurst that Sophie sent Doreen says "do they have computers at Barnhurst?" knowing that the letter is typed. Liz tells Doreen to close the door and when Doreen does so. Liz hands the letter to Doreen and Doreen realises that Liz is 'Witness X' and she tells Liz that if the women find out that she is lagging again they will kill her. Liz says that the women won't find out because they are going to find out because she made a deal, the moment Sonia is sentenced Liz will be released. Doreen asks why and Liz says that Sonia did it and she tells Doreen that she also needs to put in for a transfer to a different prison because she deserves to be closer to her son as Sonia knocks on the door she asks what is going on and says what juicy secrets are being told, and Doreen just says that Liz recommended Doreen transfer to another prison.
Ep 5[]
Franky is standing as the cell gate is closed for the night as she turns to talk with Doreen about her parole board speech, Doreen tells Franky that she can't as she is too nervous to do so, Franky tells her to calm down but Doreen says she faces the board tomorrow and is shaking so much. Franky comes up with an idea where she gets Liz and Allie to help in a roleplay scenario to help Doreen get over her nerves. Doreen starts to give her speech to the girls as they start to heckle her to get her used to what the board will say during her hearing, Doreen who hates the idea of the heckling comes into her own when she delivers the speech.
Doreen is taken to her parole board hearing, Doreen gives a passionate speech about her time in Wentworth as Vera watches on proud of what Doreen is saying to the board. Doreen tells the board that she was young and dumb in 2012 when she was sentenced to time in prison and that she was previously denied a hearing by the prisons former governor as she had become pregnant with Joshua Taylor, Doreen says that this was the best thing that happened to her as it has given her a second chance, and she says that justice has been done and she wishes for her transfer so she can be a good mother to her son and be with her partner Nash, Doreen also says she wishes to better herself even further when she is released for the sake of her community and her family. Vera thanks Doreen and the board for listening.
When news comes in about the brawler crash Liz and Doreen are seen talking about it where Liz says it must've been serious as Doreen said she heard it crashed into the river.
As Sonia talks with Liz and Doreen about how confident Doreen is that she will end up getting parole Doreen says that she has it in the bag and Sonia says that she loves the confidence, as Sonia asks Liz if she's ok and Liz says that she'll just miss Doreen.
Doreen at her Parole Hearing
Doreen talks with Vera and Vera asks if she knows anything about that the code blue Doreen says she doesn't but she also asks if the reason Vera wants to see her is because of her transfer news. Vera tells Doreen that the board declined her Application for Transfer. A devastated Doreen says she thought she did really well when she faced the board and Vera says that she did very well and she couldn't have presented her case any better, Doreen asks why it was refused and Vera says that the board simply just said no but she will receive a letter in due course revealing why. Vera says to a devastated Doreen that she can organise extra phone privileges and she only has six months until her parole comes through. Doreen says she doesn't want those extra privileges as it means nothing if she can't see her son, Doreen also says even when she does get parole she can't get on a plane to travel until corrections says it ok to do.
Trivia[]
- Doreen is similar to her original counterpart in some ways. While not childish, she does have a child like sense of fun, most likely to try and make the prison less of a scary place for Kaiya.
- Unlike her PCBH predecessor this Doreen remains released and one of the few Wentworth characters to receive a happy ending as Doreen actress Shareena Clanton had declined several invitations to return to the show
Appearances[]
| Wentworth: Season 1 | |||||||||
| "No Place Like Home" Appears |
"Fly Me Away" Appears |
"The Girl Who Waited" Appears |
"The Things We Do" Appears |
"The Velvet Curtain" Appears |
"Captive" Appears |
"Something Dies" Appears |
"Mind Games " Appears |
"To the Moon" Appears |
"Checkmate" Appears |
| Wentworth: Season 2 | |||||||||||
| "Born Again" Appears |
"Whatever It Takes" Appears |
"Boys In The Yard" Appears |
"The Danger Within" Appears |
"Twist The Knife" Appears |
"The Pink Dragon" Appears |
"Metamorphosis" Appears |
"Sins of the Mother" Appears |
"The Fixer" Appears |
"Jail Birds" Appears |
"Into The Night" Appears |
"Fear Her" Appears |
| Wentworth: Season 3 | |||||||||||
| "The Governor's Pleasure" Appears |
"3x02 Failing Upwards" Appears |
"Knives Out" Appears |
"Righteous Acts" Appears |
"3x05 Mercy" Appears |
"Evidence" Appears |
"The Long Game" Appears |
"Goldfish" Appears |
"Freak Show" Appears |
"A Higher Court" Appears |
"The Living and the Dead" Appears |
"Blood and Fire" Appears |
| Wentworth: Season 4 | |||||||||||
| "First Blood" Appears |
"Poking Spiders" Appears |
"Prisoner" Appears |
"Screw Lover" Appears |
"Love and Hate" Appears |
"Divide and Conquer" Appears |
"Panic Button" Appears |
"Plan Bea" Appears |
"After Life" Appears |
"Smitten" Appears |
"The Eleventh Hour" Appears |
"Seeing Red" Appears |
| Wentworth: Season 5 | |||||||||||
| "Scars" Appears |
"The Bitch is Back" Appears |
"Nothing but the Truth" Appears |
"Loose Ends" Appears |
"Belly of the Beast" Appears |
"Happy Birthday, Vera" Appears |
"The Pact" Appears |
"Think Inside the Box" Absent |
"Snake Head" Absent |
"Mere Anarchy" Absent |
"Coup de Grace" Absent |
"Hell Bent" Absent |