'Wentworth' season 5 release date set; Smith replaced as top dog

Promotional photo for "Wentworth."Facebook/WentworthTV

Bea Smith (Danielle McCormack) died in the finale of "Wentworth" season 4. A new top dog will soon replace her, and a lot of women are lining up to take the position for themselves.

In "Wentworth" season 4, Bea was stabbed multiple times to prevent Joan Ferguson (Pamela Rabe) from being freed. According to FX News Call, the tragic hero will no longer return for season 5. Fans favored Bea as the top dog of "Wentworth," but her story has come to an end and it's time for someone new to rule the prison.

Some of the speculated characters who could rule as top dog are Ferguson, Karen Proctor (Tammy MacIntosh), and Sonia Stevens (Sigrid Thornton). In the finale of "Wentworth" season 4, Karen reigned as the top dog after Bea's death.

However, it is speculated that Sonia will emerge as the champion. This is because fans have favored Sonia second to Bea.

The commissioning editor of Drama for Foxtel Networks — Penny Win — confirms that new characters will be joining "Wentworth's" fifth season. It is speculated that Bea's exit is the catalyst that will bring new characters to the show.

Viewers can expect new male characters, in the role of transgenders, to be introduced to the upcoming season. According to Win, it is also possible that new inmates will come in during season 5 and replace Bea as top dog. If so, this will be out of the expectations that one of the inmates from "Wentworth" will become top dog.

Whoever rules "Wentworth" as top dog, its viewers will still be invested in season 5 because the show has repeatedly featured the stories of the other characters. It is similar to how "Game of Thrones" features a revolving cast of characters and their own stories. "Wentworth" does not focus on only one character, and its fans have gotten to know many characters whenever they are featured in different episodes.