Janus is an Australian drama television series screened on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1994 and 1995. Two series were produced, with a total of 26 episodes. Janus was a spin-off series from the earlier ABC-TV crime series Phoenix. Loosely based on the true story of Melbourne's Pettingill family and the Walsh Street police shootings, Janus follows the bitterly-fought prosecutions of a notorious criminal family, the Hennesseys, from the viewpoints of the family, the police and, in particular, the lawyers, prosecutors, barristers and judges involved in all aspects of the story. When the series begins, four members of the infamous Hennessey clan are acquitted of the shooting of two young policemen in a bungled bank heist. The city of Melbourne is shocked as brothers Mal and Steve, along with brother-in-law Darren Mack and friend Ken Hardy, walk free. The prosecutors, judges, magistrates and police—many modelled heavily on real-life legal figures—are determined to put the Hennessey members behind bars if they can. But corruption, legal loopholes, delays, and stretched resources combine to make the quest to jail the group far from straightforward.

Cast & crew

T

Tony McDonald

Creator

A

Alison Nisselle

Creator

Simon Westaway

Peter Faithful

Chris Haywood

Michael Kidd

Jeremy Kewley

Vic Manoulis

L

Louise Siversen

Judge Glenda De Bono

F

Felix Nobis

Rob Griffin

L

Leon Teague

Steve Hennessey

Brett Swain

Mal Hennessey

P

Pauline Terry-Beitz

Shirl Hennessey

Tracy Mann

Tina Bertram

Belinda McClory

Kirsty

Jane Menelaus

Jenny Hanson

J

Jennifer Jarman-Walker

Cath Darby

Sean Scully

Ian Cochrane

L

Leverne McDonnell

Jan

D

Denis Moore

Daniel Grossman

Jack Finsterer

Bronowski

L

Leonie Fletcher

DPP Secretary

R

Robin Dene

Jack (Tipstaff)

V

Valentina Levkowicz

Rose Lipski

V

Victoria Eagger

Rhonda

Seasons

26 episodes

Season 11994 · 13 episodes

Season 21995 · 13 episodes