Danielle Cormack on Love & Identity

Danielle Cormack may have left Wentworth, but her affection for the show — and for the character of Bea Smith — is still unmistakable. Over coffee, she spoke with the same warmth, humour and grounded honesty that made audiences fall in love with her work.

Bea Smith has been the emotional centre of Wentworth for four seasons, resonating deeply with viewers around the world. Cormack believes that connection is no accident.

“Bea is the ‘every human’,” she says. “She’s all or nothing. People see themselves in her because she carries them through the journey.”

Cormack has long been open about the fluidity of her own relationships. She’s had partners of different genders, and she speaks about sexuality with the same ease and authenticity she brings to her roles. For her, identity isn’t a fixed point — it’s an evolving, lived experience.

As for Wentworth, she remains fiercely proud of the show’s bold storytelling and the way it has centred complex, flawed, powerful women. Even after Bea’s dramatic exit, Cormack’s connection to the series — and to its fans — is as strong as ever.

This article is a shortened and updated adaptation of a 2016 LOTL interview conducted by Sanya Franich.