Prisoner of Melbourne: Erica Davidson
| Mister SF’s Roadshow: Prisoner of Melbourne |
Patsy King is Erica Davidson, Governor of Wentworth Detention Centre. Though glimpses into her personal passions are few, the prim, school-marmish exterior of Mrs. Davidson is belied in short term episodes by the great caring Erica feels for Doreen and Lizzie, and in the long term by her commitment to prison reform.
Patsy King spoke with us about the many women she has met over the years who were inspired by Erica Davidson to pursue a career in social work.
In Prisoner, Patsy King was much younger than Erica Davidson’s hairdo and wardrobe might have suggested. Her appearance at Prisoner-related events is a great happening for both old lags and the uninitiated among the show’s worldwide community of fans.
Patsy King as Erica Davidson.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
It is nice to see she is still well and alive. I am currently on episode 146 watching it again on DVD. I am 30 and remember watching it when I was a child. I loved it then and now watching it through adult eyes still love it and now understand fully the social issues it covers. A fabulous programme with a great cast, it what makes the British love our Australian cousins.
This was a wonderful tribute to a greatly appreciated actress. Patsy King meant the world to me when she played Erica all those years ago. An amazing talent.
wow. Patsy King has hardly changed a bit from prisoner. I’m not sure if the character Erica was really that much older than Patsy. This is what I figured out:
In 1979 (when prisoner was first filmed), Patsy King was 49. Aileen Britton, who played Erica’s mum, Florence Marne, was 63, while the character Florence was “69 years old” as indicated by Erica during a conversation with her mother about her health. So if Florence was 69, what age was Erica? Erica had a brother, James Marne, who was older than herself, and there was an older brother who died before either James or Erica were born, as indicated in the episode where Erica’s mother dies.
Even though Patsy King is older than me, when I was watching her in Prisoner I thought she looked great, good looking, well spoken, powerful!
Lee
Patsy is one sexy lady!
Patsy is the best! It was so lovely meeting her at the 30th Anniversary: I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.
:) I am 48 & watching prisoner from episode 1. I was in a girls home in melbourne because i was abused in my familly home & i watched prisoner there every time it was on, i missed the later years of the program but it brings back memories of my time insisde walls 7& i can see why lizzy never wanted out lol .Not much differance between wentworth & winlaton & i wish we had an Erica Davidson. Its sad a girls home was on par to a make believe prison & most should never had been there. Happy to say Winlaton was closed down many years ago & girls are placed in foster or group homes . You rock Erica davidson :)
I love Erica Davidson. I cant believe she left! Best governor there was. I cried when she left. Mad character :) I would have loved for her to come back but it won’t happen. The new governor, Ann Reynolds, is good too. Anyway, thats all. All the best to Pasty King. xoxoxoxo
i love pisoner block h
Erica is the best role model. i love the way she acts not only towards the officers but to the woman inside. for about 1 i’v been watching pirsoner and the best i’ve seen now my fav show. mrs morris and bea and Erica have to be the best acters in history1!! <3
I really Love Patsy King! She was outstanding in Prisoner! What an amazing and inspirational woman!
Really adored the show, sadly I didn’t get to see all the episodes as the network where I live abandoned it after a few years. Loved all the characters but my all time favourite was bea smith, played by val Lehman. Maybe some of the old characters will appear in the new spin off , wentworth prison….fingers crossed
i would have loved to have gone for a drink with lizzy birdsworth bless her.
I am an American who watched the show from start to finish,even when erica davidson left.she was always my favorite and her character was strong,yet soothing and was not mean.she was great and as far as i am concerned,she was the “queen” of wentworth.:)
Adored Prisoner: Cell Block H and Erica was my favourite character (which often gets me into ‘trouble’ with those who insist that Bea, Joan or Vera were the best), and Patsy’s portrayal of her was (and still is) magnificent.
Patsy King was awesome as Erica Davidson she is a excellent actress and a beautiful lady