Patsy King(1930-2026)

Patsy King trained at the Melbourne National Theatre as a Shakespearean actress. She has made her mark on stage as well as in television, film and radio. Patsy has worked in many areas of Australian television playing 'Miss Behaviour' the children's programme 'Adventure Island'. She appeared in long running ABC serial 'Bellbird', later a guest artist in the hugely popular drama series' 'Bluey' and 'Chopper Squad'. Patsy also played 'Vera Maguire' in the controversial and highly acclaimed ABC period drama 'Power Without Glory'. But it was her part in Prisoner (1979) that most know her by. Known to the rest of the world as 'Prisoner Cell Block H', Patsy was cast for the proposed 16 episode mini series for Network Ten Australia in 1978 as 'Governor Erica Davidson'. The series of 'Prisoner' was extended and she ended up staying in the role for four years until she left, saying Erica had gone as far as she could. She was later asked to return and made two return appearances in the 1984 season of the show. Patsy has often remarked on how different she is from the character of Erica as well as seeing it as high point in her career. Patsy has countless stage credits including an Australian tour of 'Summer of the Seventeenth Doll', theatre productions of 'Half a Sixpence', 'Love For Love' and 'Agnes of God' to name but a few, while earning the prestigious 'Erik Award' for her portrayal of 'Agnes' in 'Fourposter'. In 1989 Patsy did a tour of 'Prisoner Cell Block H: The Stage Play' across theatres in the United Kingdom, which was well received by British critics and the audience alike. Patsy is 5'3" tall and resides in Melbourne, Australia.