Janus
1994 / NRJanus 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.
Seasons & Episode
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 brother, Steve. Mal hides a blade in the prison van and makes his escape on the way to court. Steve is waiting for him with a motorbike and the pair don't stick around!
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 murder. She is left at home with her daughter, Rhonda, daughter-in-law Kirsty and their children. However, when she is arrested for shoplifting and possession of a pen pistol, Shirl sees a chance to get the break she needs—a short stint in jail away from life's pressures.
A minor drug case in the County Court puts the murder charge against Mal Hennessey in jeopardy when an inexperienced barrister paints a picture of the late Steve Hennessey as a "Mr. Big" of the drug trade.
After his escape, Mal was charged with the serious charge of Breach of Prison and his day in court has finally arrived. Everybody expects Michael Kidd to represent him, but the Hennessey's seemingly bottomless money pit is empty. Mal has been in custody for months, Shirl is in jail and Steve is dead.
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 shooting of Steve Hennessey begins at the Coroner's Court, and Michael Kidd is all out to attract the media's attention…
Rhonda Hennessey's de facto husband, Darren Mack, attempts to run an extortion racket inside prison, but his first victim does not frighten easily and turns Darren in. The situation is exacerbated when Michael Kidd sees this as an opportunity to further discredit Peter Faithfull and his team.
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 by the Hennessey in-law. However, unlike Mal, Darren's attempts to represent himself begins to verge on the ludicrous.
Shane, the youngest of the Hennessey brothers, ends up before magistrate Glenda de Bono for a second time when he is arrested and charged over a vicious assault and burglary. It was almost a year since de Bono put Shane on a good behaviour bond after he stole a car and became involved in a high-speed police chase.
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 the body after Mal's temper erupted and he shot Pat Clancy in his living room and fear of Mal Hennessey prompts Gary to help the police.
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.