Janus

Janus moves through the intertwined worlds of law enforcement, the courtroom and a feared Melbourne crime family as prosecutors, judges, barristers and police try to secure convictions after a botched bank robbery that left two young officers dead. The series opens with four members of the Hennessey clan being acquitted, a verdict that shocks the city and pushes legal teams to reassemble their cases. Episodes alternate perspective between defense and prosecution, magistrates and detectives, highlighting the slow, technical work of evidence gathering, appeals and courtroom maneuvering. With corruption, stretched resources and local influence complicating proceedings, the show stays focused on procedural detail and the moral compromises that shape high-stakes criminal trials.

Created by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Janus screened in 1994 and 1995. Two series were produced, 26 episodes in total, and the show spun out of ABC's earlier crime drama Phoenix, carrying over a similarly realistic tone and emphasis on legal procedure.

Janus won considerable critical respect in Australia and received recognition from industry bodies, with nominations in writing, acting and production categories. It didn't gain major international awards like Emmys, but domestic acclaim helped cement its reputation among practitioners and viewers interested in rigorous legal storytelling.

The series left a noticeable mark on Australian television, sharpening expectations for authenticity in crime and courtroom drama. Its thinly veiled links to real cases prompted public debate about how recent criminal events get dramatized, and it encouraged later creators to adopt grittier, more forensic approaches to depictions of police work and legal strategy.

Critics praised Janus for its emphasis on process, moral ambiguity and strong ensemble performances, especially in roles of lawyers and judges portrayed as fallible professionals. Major themes include institutional strain, family allegiance, legal ethics and the gap between evidence and verdict, making the show less about sensationalism and more about how justice actually works in practice.