Phoenix is a Logie Award-winning Australian crime drama television series broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 1992 to 1993. It was created by Alison Nisselle and Tony McDonald.
The first series recounts the investigation of the bombing of a Victorian police social function, loosely based on the real life Russell Street Bombing in 1986. It was followed by a second series, Phoenix II, based on a series of violent aggravated burglaries ("ag burgs") against wealthy senior citizens.
The series was filmed in Melbourne, Victoria and was characterised by its dark, noir-ish visual tone and non-linear editing, reminiscent of the ABC crime dramas Scales of Justice, Blue Murder and Wildside, which all also dealt with corruption in the police force.
The show was lauded for its realistic depiction of police investigation techniques, aided by extensive research by the show's writers. It won several Logie Awards, including Most Outstanding Miniseries Logie in 1993 and 1994, as well as several Australian Film Institute Awards, and the Television or Film Theme of the Year Award at the APRA Music Awards of 1993.
The series spawned the 1994 spin-off Janus, with Simon Westaway reprising his role as Sergeant Peter Faithful.
Cast
Phoenix (1992)
Starring
- Paul Sonkkila as Jock Brennan (13 episodes)
- Sean Scully as Ian "Goose" Cochrane (13 episodes)
- Andy Anderson as Lochie Renford (13 episodes)
- Peter Cummins as Superintendent Wallace (13 episodes)
- Simon Westaway as Sergeant Peter "Noddy" Faithful (13 episodes)
- Nell Feeney as Megan Edwards (11 episodes)
- Susie Edmonds as Carol Cochrane (12 episodes)
- Tony Poli as Lazarus "Laz" Carides (10 episodes)
Also starring
- Kevin Summers as Colin Toohey (8 episodes)
- Dominic Sweeney as Wheels (9 episodes)
- David Bradshaw as Senior Detective Andrew 'Fluff' Saunders (5 episodes)
- George Vidalis as Mick (12 episodes)
- Todd Telford as Dennis (5 episodes)
- Patrick Ward as Blazo (4 episodes)
- Nicholas Politis as Nick (9 episodes)
- Brett Swain as Tattoo (1 episode)
- Shane Connor as Manny (1 episode)
- Tiriel Mora as Gasper (1 episode)
- John Brumpton as Gonzo (1 episode)
Phoenix II (1993)
Starring
- Simon Westaway as Sergeant Peter 'Noddy' Faithful (13 episodes)
- Stuart McCreery as Senior Sergeant Adrian Moon (13 episodes)
- David Bradshaw as Senior Detective Andrew 'Fluff' Saunders (13 episodes)
- Jennifer Jarman-Walker as Senior Detective Cath Darby (13 episodes)
- Peter Cummins as Superintendent Wallace (13 episodes)
- Vikki Blanche as Chris Faithful (9 episodes)
- Susie Edmonds as Carol Cochrane (9 episodes)
- Sean Scully as Ian 'Goose' Cochrane (13 episodes)
Also starring
- Peter McCauley as Inspector Lew Murdoch (12 episodes)
- David Roberts as Detective Robert Howie (10 episodes)
- Keith Agius as Docket (13 episodes)
- Bob Halsall as Boomer (13 episodes)
- Russell Fletcher as Kermie (6 episodes)
- Greg Scealey as Fish (7 episodes)
- Paul Sonkkila as Jock Brennan (3 episodes)
- Aaron Blabey (1 episode)
- Alan Hopgood as Bill Douglas
- Alex Menglet as Ivan Kastelanic (1 episode)
- Fiona Corke as Dog 1
- Greg Stone as Detective Inspector Miller (1 episode)
- Jacek Koman as Steward (1 episode)
- Mark Hembrow as Damian Thorpe
- Michael Beckley as Youth (1 episode)
- Nadine Garner as Lindy (1 episode)
- Nick Carrafa as Serio Diego (3 episodes)
- Peta Brady as Mandy (1 episode)
- Radha Mitchell as Joanna (1 episode)
- Richard Moir as Tony Hansen (1 episode)
Episodes
Phoenix (1992)
Phoenix II (1993)
Awards and nominations
Logie Awards
- 1993: Most Outstanding Series (won)
- 1994: Most Outstanding Achievement in Drama Production (won)
Home release
The series was released in 2009 by the ABC on DVD in two volumes, each containing 13 episodes across 4 discs. However, it has since gone out of print.
See also
- List of Australian television series