Phoenix (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Phoenix is an Australia
n police drama
television series. Phoenix screened as two thirteen-part series on Australian Broadcasting Corporation
in 1992 and 1993.
The first series of Phoenix in 1992 recounted the investigation of the bomb
ing of the Victorian state police headquarters, loosely based on a real case in the mid-1980s, the Russell Street Bombing
. It was aided by extensive research into police
techniques and was lauded as one of the most realistic depictions of police investigation techniques, including both surveillance
and forensics
, as well as having an involving storyline.
Notable for its dark visual tone and for its no-holds-barred attitude to violence
and language.
It spawned a second thirteen-part series, Phoenix II, in 1993 as well as a spin-off series, Janus
, in 1994 devoted to the machinations of court cases.
The series was created and produced by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
.
The ABC have released Series 1 and 2 on DVD (Region 4) as a 4 DVD box set.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n police drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
television series. Phoenix screened as two thirteen-part series on Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
in 1992 and 1993.
The first series of Phoenix in 1992 recounted the investigation of the bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
ing of the Victorian state police headquarters, loosely based on a real case in the mid-1980s, the Russell Street Bombing
Russell Street Bombing
The Russell Street Bombing refers to the 27 March 1986 bombing of the Russell Street Police Headquarters complex in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
. It was aided by extensive research into police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
techniques and was lauded as one of the most realistic depictions of police investigation techniques, including both surveillance
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
and forensics
Forensics
Forensic science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system. This may be in relation to a crime or a civil action...
, as well as having an involving storyline.
Notable for its dark visual tone and for its no-holds-barred attitude to violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
and language.
It spawned a second thirteen-part series, Phoenix II, in 1993 as well as a spin-off series, Janus
Janus (TV series)
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....
, in 1994 devoted to the machinations of court cases.
The series was created and produced by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
.
The ABC have released Series 1 and 2 on DVD (Region 4) as a 4 DVD box set.
Series 1
- Top Quality Crims was aired on 13 February 1992
- Christmas in July was aired on 13 February 1992
- A Bunch of Big Girls was aired on 20 February 1992
- On the Edge was aired on 27 February 1992
- A Dog's Life was aired on 5 March 1992
- Out in the Cold was aired on 12 March 1992
- Old Rules, New Game was aired on 19 March 1992
- Fond Memories was aired on 26 March 1992
- Shaking the Tree was aired on 2 April 1992
- Blessed are the Peace Makers was aired on 9 April 1992
- Hair of the Dog was aired on 16 April 1992
- Paradise Tomorrow was aired on 23 April 1992
- Hard Ball was aired on 30 April 1992
Series 2
- Victims Forever was aired on 4 March 1993
- Deal or Pay was aired on 11 March 1993
- Married to the Job was aired on 18 March 1993
- The Return was aired on 25 March 1993
- Inside Information was aired on 8 April 1993
- Safe as Houses was aired on 15 April 1993
- Aladdin's Cave was aired on 22 April 1993
- In on the Joke was aired on 29 April 1993
- Give a Dog a Bone was aired on 6 May 1993
- Shuffling the Deck was aired on 13 May 1993
- Under Siege was aired on 20 May 1993
- Snow Job was aired on 27 May 1993
- Hit, Shit and Scatter was aired on 3 June 1993
Cast
- Simon WestawaySimon WestawaySimon Westaway is an Australian actor who has appeared in many television series, films and theatre productions. He is most remembered as portraying Domenic "Mick" Gatto in the crime series Underbelly. He currently hosts Channel Seven's Surf Patrol. He has three children: Jackson, Bella and Ruben...
as Peter Faithful (Series 1 & 2) - Paul Sonkkila as Jock Brennan (Series 1 & 2)
- Ben SteelBen SteelBen Steel is an Australian actor and director who is most known for his regular role of Jude Lawson in Australian soap Home & Away.-Early life and acting training:...
as Ben Brennan (Series 1) - David Bradshaw as Andrew 'Fluff' Saunders (Series 1 & 2)
- Sean Scully as Ian 'Goose' Cochrane (Series 1 & 2)
- Vikki Blanche as Chris Faithful (Series 2)
- Andy AndersonAndy Anderson (actor)Andy Anderson is an actor best known for his roles on both Australian and New Zealand television.-Career:...
as Lachie Renford (Series 1) - David Roberts as Detective Robert Howie (Series 2)
- Susie Edmonds as Carol Cochrane (Series 1 & 2)
- Stuart McCreery as Adrian Moon (Series 2)
- Nell Feeney-Connor as Megan Edwards (Series 1)
- Jennifer Jarman-Walker as Cath Darby (Series 2)
- Peter Cummins as Supt. Wallace (Series 1 & 2)
- Peter McCauleyPeter McCauleyPeter McCauley is an actor from New Zealand who has appeared in many television series and movies, mainly in his home country.- Career :...
as Inspector Lew Murdoch (Series 1 & 2) - Tony Poli as Snr Det Lazarus 'Laz' Carides (Series 1)