Episode 8 of Corals Soapbox with Coral Drouyn and Matt Batten

Welcome to Episode 8 of Corals Soapbox, where Coral Drouyn, a seasoned veteran of Australian television, delves into the depths of iconic TV shows. Coral's extensive resume includes work on beloved series like Neighbours, Home and Away, and, notably, Prisoner. As a script writer, Script Editor, Story Liner, and Story Editor on Prisoner, Coral shaped some of the show's most memorable characters and storylines. This week on the soapbox, Coral and Matt dive into a fascinating discussion Coral calls "swapsies"—but it's much more than that. We all know that many of our favorite Prisoner actresses played multiple roles, but who do you think could have excelled in a different character? For instance, what if Will Deumer (Lionel Fellowes) had played Frank Burke—would it have worked? And of course, the obvious one: could Maggie Kirkpatrick have played Bea Smith instead of The Freak? Coral and Matt break down which actors or actresses could have taken on other characters in Prisoner, offering fresh perspectives on the show's casting. In addition to their engaging "swapsies" discussion, Coral and Matt also tackle current news, including the latest on Donald Trump. They delve into why Tabitha Lean of the National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls is offended by the new Alcotraz bar opening in Melbourne, with Coral sharing her own views on the matter. There's a lot to unpack in this episode. Enjoy the lively conversation! #CoralsSoapbox #TalkingPrisoner #PrisonerTV #DonaldTrump #AlcotrazBar #MelbourneNews