Bea Smith begins her life as a remand prisoner in Wentworth after being charged with attempted murder of her husband. She is immediately caught up in a battle between Governor Meg Jackson and rising top dog, Franky Doyle. Siding with Franky unleashes Meg’s retribution as she releases the reigning top dog, Jacs Holt, back into the compound to pull Franky back into line. But a confrontation between the two vying crews results in a bloody riot and a fatal stabbing. It is Bea who is left with blood on her hands.

A grief-stricken Will Jackson is obsessed with finding his wife's killer, Doreen makes a heartbreaking decision, and Erica Davidson is angling to fill the prison governor vacancy.

Bea finds herself coerced to take sides as the tensions between Jacs and Franky escalate, and new governor Erica Davidson initiates changes that upset the officers.

Franky teaches Bea a tough lesson while Liz struggles with old demons and Franky stirs up feelings in Erica.

Erica's pent-up feelings for Franky at work cause problems in her home life with her fiance, Liz lashes out when Doreen is offered the peer worker job, and Will Jackson becomes Wentworth's latest pin-up.

Vera’s attempt to impress Fletch backfires and her domineering mother reveals a humiliating secret to her peers, while Erica betrays Franky.