Phoenix ran for two seasons, and centred on the activities of Melbourne's Major Crime Squad. The first season dealt with the investigation of an urban terrorist car bombing which claimed the lives of two police officers.

Phoenix was inspired by the events surrounding the Russell Street bombing in 1986 in which a car bomb claimed the life of a Victorian Policewoman. The second season of Phoenix followed the squad's investigation of a number of violent armed hold ups.

Phoenix was created by Allison Nisselle and Tony McDonald and produced by Bill Hughes. Advisor to the Phoenix production team was Gordon Davie, a former Victorian CIB detective who served in several task forces, including the investigation of the Russell Street bombing. He helped inject crucial authenticity into the show and his advice was invaluable. Many of the major Phoenix characters are based on real people, or a combination of real people, who were encouraged to come and watch filming and meet the cast.

The series was widely acclaimed by critics and won several Logie and AFI awards. Today it is regarded as a landmark in Australian television drama production. The first season was most recently repeated over the summer season 1995/1996 at 8.30 pm on Tuesday's.

Janus also ran for two seasons. While Janus did not follow the activities of the Major Crime Squad from Phoenix, it was set in the same fictional world with Simon Westaway reprising his central role as Peter Faithfull.

While Phoenix centred around the Major Crime Squad, Janus concentrated on the Criminal Justice System, following Peter Faithfull's pursuit, through the courts, of a notorious Melbourne criminal family, the Hennessey's.

Janus was also produced by Bill Hughes, and upheld the same high production values and gritty realism of Phoenix. Janus was well received by critics and won the Logie for the most Outstanding Drama Series in 1994.

Janus stands alongside Phoenix as two of Australian televisions best ever drama productions.