Series Eight introduces Amanda Donohoe (Lou Stoke), Sid Owen (Donny Kimber), Colin Salmon (Rowan Dunlop) and Angela Bruce (Mandy Goodhue).

Tracey Wilkinson (Di Barker), Rebecca Hazlewood (Arun Palmer) and Andrew Scarborough (Kevin Spiers) are not featured and no explanation for their absence is given.

As rumours of a chemical attack start to spread, panic sets in, and all fingers point to new inmate Emira Al Jahani who is sent to Larkhall on suspicion of terrorism.

Famous new inmate, entrepreneur and interior design goddess Catherine Earlham decides to make Darlene a pawn in her twisted and dangerous game.

Sylvia becomes acting G-Wing Governor, while Janine discovers she is pregnant but has to fool Joy into believing that her boyfriend "Michael" is responsible.