Maggie created the role of Marie Winter in Prisoner way back in 1980. Ever since then she still finds it rather odd that her character made such an impact on the show, and even more peculiar when fans still see her as Marie - almost twenty years after she lay the character to rest.

Unfortunately despite Maggie's character making three separate appreances in Prisoner, fans of the show never got to find out any information on her background. Very little information was disclosed about her family, only her many crimes including that of Murder, drug-dealing, prompting a riot and three charges of escape. When Maggie landed the role of Marie in 1980, she was given a brief description of her character...

"She became a bikies moll at 14 and spent 3 years in and out of trouble with the police. In the vain hope of getting away from the gang scene, she married a truck driver, became pregnant to him, and tried to settle down. But her husband bashed her and she lost the child. She roped in some of her old bikie friends to beat him up. Satisfied, Marie rejoined the gang and became involved in a rival bikie clash. She accidentallly let off a shot gun three times, killing one person and injuring two others. She was then arrested and given a life sentence for murder.

We first meet the infamous Marie Winter when top-dog Bea Smith is transferred to Barnhurst Prison in episode 197, and meets up with Wentworth’s former top-dog, Marie, who is now top-dog in Barnhurst. Notorious for controlling drug supplies within the prison and keeping the women in check, Marie arrives in Wentworth on a transfer from Barnhusrt and immediately embarks on a power struggle for top dog status with Sandy Edwards (Lousie Le Nay).

At first, Marie hides the fact that she wants to become top-dog in the prison, but as Sandy begins to have trouble controlling the women Marie starts making suggestions. A riot is top of the list, and starts to cause trouble for the officers in response to the women’s discontent. Episodes 249 and 250 feature the riot, and remain firm favourites with the fans of the show, and helped Prisoner gain the cult following it still enjoys today.

Marie continues to make enemies in Wentworth, and is charged with drug possession in episode 252. When Sandy Edwards mysteriously disappears, Marie starts throwing her weight around but is halted with the arrival of Bea. Marie's heavies back down intimidated by Bea's presence, and Marie loses her top-dog status. The war between Marie and Bea continues until Marie is transferred back to Barnhurst in episode 269.

Marie returns to the series again in episode 461 and teams up with Reb Kean (Janet Andrewartha) and they start dealing cocaine to the other Prisoners. This time Marie has to tackle Judy Bryant (Betty Bobbit) for top-dog status and is soon back controlling the women. Marie sparks off another riot in episode 466 in which Joan Ferguson (Maggie Kirkpatrick) allows her to become overwhelmed. During a fight with Marie, Reb is pushed down several flights of stairs. A fire rages through the prison and Marie tries to make a bid for freedom but is quickly stopped by Judy.

Marie finally meets Myra Desmond (Anne Phelan) in episode 468 who treats Marie very similar to the way Bea once did. With Myra and Governor Anne Reynolds (Gerda Nicholson) against her, Marie blackmails Joan Ferguson into helping her escape for good. Joan arranges for a heicopter to land in the grounds of the prison while the inmates are on their exercise period. Marie gets Lou Kelly (Louise Siversen) to start a diversion as she makes her third bid for freedom. The Prisoner's watch as she climbs the fence and sprints towards the helicopter. As Joan pretends to fumble with her keys, the officers are helpless to prevent the escape. In true Prisoner style, Marie Winter is last seen dangling from the helicopter as it flies away! Marie is later recaptured and sent to the maximum security prison Blackmoor to finish the remainder of her sentence.

Behind the scenes on Prisoner...

During breaks of shooting Prisoner, Maggie would often do sketches of some of her fellow cast members. Visitors to the website are able to enjoy two of Maggie's pencil portraits of fellow actors Olivia Hamnett (pictured on the set of Prisoner with Maggie in 1982) and secondly a brilliant portrait of Sheila Florance (Lizzie Birdsworth). Sadly, both Olivia and Sheila have since passed away, but are dearly remembered by those who were fortunate enough to have worked with them over the years