Prisoner of Melbourne: Lou Kelly

Louise Siverson is Lou Kelly. Siverson is one of Prisoner’s several successful alumni. Rising from the ranks of background extras, Siverson’s work in Prisoner includes an early appearance as a shop clerk when Lizzie steals a $400 camera in a bid to get back inside in Episode 333. The shop clerk uses a voice that’s closer to Siverson’s own, foreshadowing her great performances during times when the hard-boiled Kelly whips out a posh voice for purposes of escape and/or occasional attempt at seduction. Because she rises following the departure of Bea Smith, who had many successors, Lou Kelly survived more rivals for Top Dog than any other baddie. It is in the sheer relentlessness of Kelly’s rage that the character makes her mark. On that level, Siverson brings the role a sad desperation, as if just one more racket will bring her Top Dog and the attendant perks. Among her horrors, Kelly electrocutes Sam Greenway while trying kill to Myra Desmond, lets her best mate Alice take the rap for murder, and hangs lagger Eve Wilder after a mock trial in Episode 600.

Louise Siverson as Lou Kelly. She kills her best friend Alice’s family in Episode 612 and is murdered in solitary in Episode 615, but not by Alice.