"What Boomer did. Was kind."
Rita Connors (nee Mitchell} is an inmate of Wentworth Correctional Centre.
Rita before arriving at Wentworth had been an undercover cop working in the biker group the Conquerors, working under the name of Rita Harris.
Rita had gone into hiding after she was the responding officer to an accident that had killed one member of another family and left her sister Ruby Mitchell with brain damage. Rita was Ruby's sparing partner for boxing giving Ruby the nickname 'Roo' or 'Kangaruby'.
Rita is arrested and sent to Wentworth in a secret undercover sting on Marie Winter after Marie is indicted for her crimes and the fact that someone was working in government to try and get her out.
After Rita finds out about the plot and it ends she is placed into police custody and taken to Protective Custody in the middle of nowhere so they can work on her case, but when Ruby is kidnapped by the corrupt detectives and when Detective Morelli is shot dead and Jones goes on the run, Rita is faced with the possibility of life in prison unless she can get phone records and a recording from Marie Winter.
Rita and Ruby manage to get the phone recording from Allie after the prison explosion and presumably play it so their charges can be dropped, but Rita still has to serve time for Drago's murder.
Time At Wentworth
Rita at the accident site that left Ruby with brain damage
In episode 6x01 Rita is taken to Wentworth via a brawler, where outside the prison the media are reporting on the escapes of both Franky Doyle and Joan Ferguson she is blinded by a camera crews flashing lights via the window in the brawler. Rita is inducted by Jake who tells her that she can keep her jacket but has to remove the biker insignia. It is revealed that Rita is Ruby Mitchell's sister, and she got herself arrested just to help her. It is also revealed as well that 'Rita Connors' is not her real name it is Rita Mitchell. After Ruby severely beats Spike Baxter in the showers, Connors takes the blame in order to protect her, and is therefore heavily punished by Kaz, Ruby tells Rita that she does not need protecting while she in prison after what she had done years prior to the family, but Rita tells her otherwise.
In episode 6x02, she reveals to Allie that she is actually Ruby's sister, and asks her to check that she does not get involved into fights or problems which could cause a prolonging of her sentence. She also reveals to Allie Novak that Ruby's nervous disease was caused by a dramatic car accident back in her youth.
Later in the season, Rita's motivation becomes clearer, its to protect her sister.
Rita is slotted for attacking three prisoners in the dining room and is "charged" with Kosta's assault but the police who are in league with Rita are her handlers and the operation is an undercover one.
Rita becomes more suspicious of Drago when Cherry Li is attacked in the showers and the following few days after the attack asks officer Linda Miles if Cherry is ok, Linda tells her she is completely paralyzed and Rita denies any knowledge of who had actually done it.
Rita asks about Cherry Li
S6 ep 12
Rita catches up and calls out to Ruby as Boomer says that she doesn't want to speak with her as Rita tells Boomer to shut up, as Ruby says that the fight is about to start and Rita says that it can wait and tells Boomer to go away. Ruby says that she wants to fight and Rita says to her "do you want to die" and says that she knows about her aneurysm as Ruby gives a foul look to Allie. Rita then says that Drago knows she is the one who killed Danny and if she goes to fight Drago will kill her, Ruby tells her that she doesn't care and she doesn't have anything to lose, Rita says that she is her sister and she loves her. Boomer yells out the fight is about to start as Rita finally reveals to Ruby that she is still a cop and that she has seen the footage and always knew it was her, she came into Wentworth to protect her from Marie and she cannot go ahead with the fight, Ruby looks on shocked.
Drago is ready for the fight and she has prison issue brass knuckles on, as the women place their final bets on the fight, Drago asks what the hold up is as Rita comes in and says that Ruby is out and Drago is now fight Rita, as Kosta complains that the bets were tabled for Ruby, as Hutch tells them to start fighting, as Rita and Drago start fighting, Rita gets the first punch in landing directly on Drago's nose as the two continue to fight.
Rita and Drago continue fighting as the fight continues with Rita landing a very good hit on Drago where she then strikes Drago's head on a pipe and the women cheer it on.As the fight eventually makes its way into the corridor walkway as Drago tells Rita that Ruby is a coward for not facing up to her own fight as Rita punches her again and Drago falls to the floor as Kosta yells out for Rita to "finish her off" as Drago says to Rita that "Ruby is dead", Linda in the background is trying to stop the fight but the inmates block her way around, Rita snaps and beats Drago to death at the same time that Jake, Vera and Will come and rush to separate the prisoners as Linda rushes over to check for a pulse, there is none, and Linda looks up at Will confirming just by a look alone, as Rita is cuffed by Jake, Vera is checked up on by another officer who helps her up, as Rita is taken away, Ruby looks at the gravity of the situation with horror.
The police end their operation leaving Rita behind in Wentworth
Rita is waiting in the interview room where she is still handcuffed and covered in blood. When Detective Jones (Wentworth) and Detective Morelli come in and Morelli looks at her in disgust as Rita says that it was self defense and to get her out of this. Jones asks where Winter's file is and Rita tells them are they listening to her, and Jones concludes that she never had the file and that Rita strung them along in an undercover operation for what, Rita says for her sister. Jones says no way to transferring Ruby out of Wentworth. Rita says that she can still get the file, as Jones says that she murdered an inmate and says 'who the fuck is she' because even he doesn't know anymore. Jones then says that they are calling the undercover operation and finishing it, Rita tries to say that she knows where she keeps it, Jones says that it is too late, Rita says that it isn't and says that if they can get the file back they can blow the lid wide open, Morelli then says that she has been in deep cover to long and has crossed the line and is thinking and acting like a criminal, and Rita is told that they are cutting her loose as she knew it was an off-the-books operation and Rita says that they can't do that and can't leave her there, Jones then says that Rita is now just another inmate, the both leave.
Rita is taken to the slot after killing Drago and being left behind by the cops
As the prison is in lockdown Liz is in her cell as she sees the note that she was given earlier by Drago, as Rita with several officers and Linda are taking Rita to the slot as she is screaming out that she wants the police to come back and that she wishes to speak with Vera with the inmates looking dejected after Drago's death they sit in their units with Ruby watching on as Rita is taken away. Rita is taken to the slot as she is placed in there she is watched by Linda as the door is closed and Rita tries to kick the door in anger. Marie asks Linda what has happened and Linda reveals to Marie that Rita killed Drago and she walks away. Rita stares at Marie who looks at her and she breaks the file in half, as Liz puts the note away in her memory box it says that 'Ruby is the killer..' the prison remains in lockdown.
Season 7
Rita prepares to marry Ray
Rita is finally released from the slot and finds out from her lawyer that her police undercover file has been deleted from their records and that the police have left her in Wentworth to rot.
Rita learns that Marie got 15 years and will possibly have to serve the same for the bashing of Drago.
Rita is visited by Ray multiple times and finally decides to marry him, but in a very Wentworth way on her wedding day is struck with grief when she learns that Ray has been killed outside the prison, shot by a member of the Butcher's Bikie Gang.
Rita in episode two mourns the loss of Ray and promises revenge for him, she finds out of Linda Miles that Ray was shot by a member of the Butchers Bikie Gang and when she finds out she attacks Marie in the yard and almost chokes her Rita is taken to the governor, but not slotted.
Linda tells her she is very lucky that Mr Jackson "understands grief". Rita continues to mourn the loss of Ray for the rest of the episode and helps Kaz make a homemade explosive, but she calls it off because she knows it what Ray wouldn't have wanted, but Kaz goes through with it anyway.
Rita in episode 3 finds out an old foe from her cop days is behind bars for a smash and grab. Narelle Stang immediately knows Rita's true identity and threatens to reveal it to everyone, but only if she gets her gear, which she does. Rita is blackmailed into helping Stang again by saying she wants Kaz dead after learning it was her who attacked her brother. Rita tells Kaz about her past and that she was a cop until she messed up the job when she killed Drago, Rita and the prison mourn Kaz's death, and has words when Stang is taken to protection, and when they are told it was way before Proctor died, their theories are still there. Rita later learns that Ruby has taken Stang's charges and she is furious about it saying that she didn't need protecting. During the later half of the season, Rita and Allie learn of Ruby in frightening detail what really happened to Marie's son Danny, in which later, Rita helps Linda take Ruby to medical when she thinks she's having a seizure, but later on she collapses again, it is later revealed her aneurysm had burst and that Rita had been denied access to visit Ruby by Governor Will Jackson. Rita is slotted after she attempts to jump the fence, and during the night Rita is taken out of the prison by Vera, Rita and Vera share the reason Rita killed Drago, and reveals it was her fault behind Ruby's injuries when she was younger. Rita later finds out her committal hearing date has been set and is taken to a holding cell awaiting to be taken to court before the siege happens.
In Season 7 Episode 10, Rita reveals her past to Will during the siege after she manages with the help of Liz to get out of her holding cell. Rita reveals to Will that she has been helping find out who Marie was working for and who her protector was. Rita is later seen telling Boomer she is sorry for her loss, before checking on Liz who had collapsed in her cell. Later when Rita talks with Will he tells her that Boomer has been charged with manslaughter, and Rita replies with "Boomer loved Liz A lot what Boomer did was kind". Will has words with Rita, Ruby comes in Rita's cell and tells her that the women want her as their new Top Dog just before. Rita tells Ruby that she will have to go into protective custody away from Wentworth as she now has to testify now she identified Marie's protector, Rita tells Ruby that they will meet again and she has loved watching her grow up.
Season 8
In episode one, Rita is in police protection and talks with one of the handlers who are handling her case, in which they are discussing her conditions. Rita reveals she wants to speak with Ruby but is refused, but told Jones and Morelli have been suspended from duty, Rita later learns of the suicide of Michael Heston on the tv news.
In episode two, Rita learns that Ruby is ok and that she has no case to answer for with Michael Heston's suicide and that she will still need to give evidence against her former handlers.
In episode five, Rita sees Ruby when Ruby breaks day release and goes to see her.
In episode six, Rita escapes from protective custody by getting her anklet off using ice as she feigns a wrist injury. She tracks down Eddie Romano and takes his car to face her old handlers. During a scuffle she accidentally shoots and kills Detective Morelli and saves Ruby from Jones, Rita tells Ruby to get back to Wentworth and to not mention she saw Rita and to just tell them she had a late night out with friends and forgot about curfew, Rita has to now go on the run to clear her name.
In episode eight Rita is still on the run, and is waiting for things to settle before she goes to see her dad.
Season 8 Part 2
In episode 1, the beginning of the end! Rita is finally able to get to her dad to visit him at last, she sits down near his bedside when she gets a phone call from Ruby who's checking everything is okay. A concerned Rita then tells Ruby that their dad is on stronger painkillers so he is,"out of it!" and he hasn't got long left which makes them both worried! After her phone call with Ruby, Rita notices her dad moving and calls for him, she says,"dad it's Rita" and he replies,"my sweet girl,I love you baba" which makes her say the same thing back to him. But it turns out he thought Rita was Ruby, and when Rita tries to tell him it's her and not Ruby, he then becomes confused and says, "she's long gone, it's just you and me now baba" this causes Rita to feel heartbroken, as if she was too late in seeing him before he got worse and confused. It may not be possible for Rita to now Bury the hatchet and clear the air with her dad because he's too sick to even realise that she's sitting right next to him...
In episode two, Rita is still with Blair as his condition worsens to the point, Rita calls Ruby, and she tells him that she loves him. Blair tells Rita to look after Ruby. When Blair dies, Ruby Mitchell (Wentworth), Aunty Fran and Rita all do a chant in his honor. Rita is arrested and taken into custody not long after.
In episode three, Rita is brought back to Wentworth and talks with Will who says the police have closed their investigation into her undercover work, but not the Morelli murder. Rita tells Will she can't fight anymore and that she "is done", Rita and Ruby reunite and Rita asks Allie what she has done to herself, she jokes and says she slipped in the shower. Ruby and Rita talk and Rita tells Ruby she will have to get used to wearing the teal, Ruby asks why she isn't fighting and Rita says that Jones had won and she couldn't risk Ruby ruining her parole for her. Rita has a conversation with Will again but says that she isn't the same person she was and that she had 10 years to cope with the fact her father was dying. Rita is later dragged to a Restraint Station after a urine sample is swapped to get some time while Rita is restrained and during her time there she stares at Lou. Rita is returned to her unit and changes from her teals to her bikie jacket.
In episode four, Rita talks to the police about Detective Morelli and tells them the truth, that she asked Ruby to lie on coming back into prison, and that Moreilli was dead before the gun even went off. Rita is hopeful and asks them to speak with Jones in which she says he knows that he will lie about her involvement in undercover work. Rita later finds out that Eddie is dead and she will be charged with Morelli's murder and running away from protective custody.
In episode five, Rita is first seen when Linda and the officers do a cell search, Rita tells Linda she will report her but Linda says to who. Rita says in the yard that Linda has become out of line, but admits that the orders came from the top. When the women learn that it was Judy who stabbed Allie, Rita says to them that put a vote to the women to see how they will deal with her. Rita is later seen when the women attempt to drown her.
In episode six, Rita learns from her lawyer that Jonesy had messed up, by leaving a call with Eddie before they were kidnapped. Rita also learns from Marie that Detective Jones (Wentworth) told her who she was. Marie tells Rita she is nothing but a hypocrite who has nothing but lied to cover her own arse for the best part of a decade. Rita tells Ruby that Marie knows.
In episode seven, Rita confronts Marie in the showers and asks her why she hasn't revealed her past to the women, Marie says that she is dealing with Lou who is making threats that she may act on. Rita then tells Will because he needed to know. Rita and Marie then clash in the corridor about it. Marie is protected by Rita in the yard when it is revealed that Marie in the mole in the unit and moved to H1. Rita looks at her and helps her with her things.
In episode eight, Rita is first seen in the yard when she looks at Judy, Rita later stops her in the hall and says she knows what she is. Rita later in H1 says that maybe Judy paid the hitman who killed Michael Schwartz. Later Rita and Lou have a conversation, Lou tells Rita to stay out of her way or else. Rita is then taken for an interview with the police where they reveal that Rita has been charged for the murder of Detective Morelli and Ruby will also be charged with accessory. Rita talks with Ruby about it who understands. Later in the yard the women are told from Lou via a recording on the phone that Rita is in fact undercover. The women attack Rita and leave her bloodied and bruised with officers running in to stop them from killing her.
In episode nine, Rita returns from the hospital and is placed in medical where she speaks with Ruby and Will about needing time to phone the phone Lou Kelly (Wentworth) as hidden in her unit. When Rita is in the dining room Ruby makes a plan to 'disown' her sister and the plan works. Rita tells Lou that while she was in hospital that the Conquerors paid a visit to Lou's brother Travis Kelly and possibly bashed him. Later Rita is seen with the women mourning the death of Marie Winter (Wentworth).
In episode ten, Rita is seen mourning Marie's death and later seen speaking with Joan Ferguson (Wentworth) where she wants her to make a deal with her but Joan refuses at first then later agreeing to a diversion. Rita and Lou fight and are both placed in the slot by guards and Rita yells at Linda Miles to tell the governor that there is a bomb. Rita and Lou talk while in the slot and she tells Lou that what happened to Reb was awful and that she may not have known him but it wouldn't be the right way to go about things.. When the prison explodes Linda exclaims to the governor that "Connors was right..", Rita makes it safely outside and manages to spot Ruby by the time she gets out. When Linda says there is a hole in the yard wall and inmates are escaping in No Man's Land, Rita makes a plan to stop Lou, which Rita does by dragging her off the fence and punching her several times exclaiming "this is for Marie. Ruby and Me.." Rita puts Lou under arrest and she tells Linda that Lou was responsible for the whole thing. Rita later finds out that Allie saved the phone from the explosion and Rita calls Allie a legend.
Appearances
| Wentworth: Season 6 | |||||||||||
| Clean Slate Appears |
The Boxer Appears |
Bleed Out Appears |
Winter Is Here Appears |
Bitter Pill Appears |
The Angel of Wentworth Appears |
The Edge Appears |
Lovers and Fighters Appears |
Shallow Grave Appears |
Fractured Appears |
Indelible Ink Appears |
Showdown Appears |
| Wentworth: Season 7 | |||||||||
| Blood Wedding Appears |
Payback Appears |
Atonement Appears |
Karen Appears |
Ascension Appears |
Mother Appears |
Bad Blood Appears |
Protection Appears |
Under Siege Part One Appears |
Under Siege Part Two Appears |
| Wentworth: Season 8 | |||||||||
| Resurrection Appears |
Ends And Means Appears |
Enemy of the State Absent |
Revenant Absent |
Fallout Appears |
Fugitive Appears |
Battle Lines Absent |
Goldfish Part 2 Appears |
Monster Absent |
The Enemy Within Absent |
| Wentworth: Season 8pt2 | |||||||||
| Rogue Appears |
Requiem Appears |
The Ties That Bind Appears |
Judas Kiss Appears |
The Unknown Terrorist Appears |
One Eye Open Appears |
Collateral Appears |
The Abyss Appears |
The Reckoning Appears |
Legacy Appears |