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Janus
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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.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01Malice Aforethought (Part 1)September 1, 1994—Four men, all career criminals, are charged over the fatal shooting of a policeman and the serious wounding of another, during an armed hold
- S01E02Malice Aforethought (Part 2)September 1, 1994—Four men, all career criminals, are charged over the fatal shooting of a policeman and the serious wounding of another, during an armed hold
- S01E03Not On The MeritsSeptember 8, 1994—Mal and Steve Hennessey, along with their defacto brother-in-law Darren Mack, are once again up on drug charges. With the prosecution armed
- S01E04A Rare Crushing ReversalSeptember 15, 1994—Having attacked Kirsty outside of court months earlier [ep 3], Rhonda Hennessey is now on trial herself facing a charge of attempting to per
- S01E05Judgement Amongst Short MenSeptember 22, 1994—A youth is charged with a long list of offences, including attempted murder, after a high-speed chase ends with him nearly running down a po
- S01E06Reckless IndifferenceSeptember 29, 1994—Steve Hennessey appeals for bail on a minor drug charge, and his lawyer Michael Kidd plays the system well. Kidd delays the hearing to a dat
- S01E07Without ConsentOctober 6, 1994—The pressure is finally beginning to tell on Steve Hennessey. He has a fight with his girlfriend Kirsty the night before his bail hearing an
- S01E08Fail To AppearOctober 13, 1994—Steve Hennessey is still on the run. However, Kenny, a small-time crook and criminal colleague of Steve’s, is facing an attempted murder cha
- S01E09A Mischevious OffenceOctober 20, 1994—Vic Manoulis tries to remain impartial when justice-seeker Michael Kidd takes on the defence of two detectives charged with assaulting a bou
- S01E10A Familiar UtteranceOctober 27, 1994—The drug trial of Steve Hennessey and Darren Mack begins in the County Court with Michael Kidd and Vic Manoulis taking their places at the b
- S01E11Without PrejudiceNovember 3, 1994—It seems that fate is conspiring to keep Steve Hennessey out of jail—even though the evidence against him is overwhelming. As Steve and Darr
- S01E12Improper InfluencesNovember 10, 1994—Peter Faithful’s evidence against Steve Hennessey and Darren Mack proves to be extremely incriminating. However, it is up to Michael Kidd to
- S01E13Burden Of ProofNovember 17, 1994—Peter Faithful’s evidence against Steve Hennessey and Darren Mack proves to be extremely incriminating. However, it is up to Michael Kidd to
Season02
- S02E01A Lawful ApprehensionJanuary 26, 1995—Charged with murder and facing a life in prison, Mal Hennessey is planning an escape, but he can't do it without the help of his younger bro
- S02E02Suicide By CopFebruary 2, 1995—Steve Hennessey is dead, and Peter Faithful and his Tactical Response Squad team find themselves in the spotlight with many questions to be
- S02E03Intent To Permanently DepriveFebruary 9, 1995—Life is rough for Shirl Hennessey. Her son, Steve, is dead, shot by police. Her other son, Mal, is facing a possible life sentence for murde
- S02E04Right To Remain SilentFebruary 16, 1995—A minor drug case in the County Court puts the murder charge against Mal Hennessey in jeopardy when an inexperienced barrister paints a pict
- S02E05My Learned Friend Mr HennesseyFebruary 23, 1995—After his escape, Mal was charged with the serious charge of Breach of Prison and his day in court has finally arrived. Everybody expects Mi
- S02E06Confess And AvoidMarch 2, 1995—Michael Kidd's financial gravy train, the Hennessey family and their ongoing court battles, has stopped until Mal appears in court charged w
- S02E07A Prima Facie CaseMarch 9, 1995—Peter Faithful and his TRS team face the glare of media and public limelight and their reputations are on the line as the inquest into the s
- S02E08Demands With MenacesMarch 16, 1995—Rhonda Hennessey's de facto husband, Darren Mack, attempts to run an extortion racket inside prison, but his first victim does not frighten
- S02E09Fit To PleadMarch 23, 1995—Darren Mack is on trial for extortion. Michael Kidd is doing his best to prevent Darren's sentence from being increased, only to be sacked b
- S02E10Breach Of BondMarch 30, 1995—Shane, the youngest of the Hennessey brothers, ends up before magistrate Glenda de Bono for a second time when he is arrested and charged ov
- S02E11An Unnatural ActApril 6, 1995—A recaptured escapee puts the final piece in the jigsaw that is the murder case against Mal Hennessey. Gary Herbert's van was used to dump t
- S02E12Mute By VisitationApril 13, 1995—The coroner delivers an open verdict on Steve Hennessey's death, but Peter Faithfull and his Tactical Response Squad have no idea that they
- S02E13Elements Of MurderApril 20, 1995—Michael Kidd finds himself looking at the most unwinnable case he's ever contemplated. Mal Hennessey is charged with murder, with Shirl Henn
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