PHOENIX
(1992): Regular Cast
| Jock Brennan
................................................. |
Paul Sonkkila |
| Ian Cochrane .................................................. |
Sean Scully |
| Peter Faithfull ................................................. |
Simon Westaway |
| Lachy Renford .............................................. |
Andy Anderson |
| Lazarus Carides ............................................... |
Tony Poli |
| Carol Cochrane ............................................... |
Susie Edmonds |
| Megan Edwards.............................................. |
Nell Feeney |
| Superintendent Wallace .................................. |
Peter Cummins |
| Mick ............................................................... |
George Vadalis |
| Wheels ............................................................ |
Dominic Sweeney |
| Blazo ............................................................... |
Patrick Ward |
| Production Crew |
|
| Bill Hughes ..................................................... |
Series Producer |
| Gordon Davie ................................................. |
Advisor |
PHOENIX
II (1993): Regular Cast
| Peter Faithfull
..................................................... |
Simon Westaway |
| Ian Cochrane ..................................................... |
Sean Scully |
| Chris Faithful ...................................................... |
Vikki Blanche |
| Detective Robert Howie ..................................... |
David Roberts |
| Carol Cochrane .................................................. |
Susie Edmonds |
| Fluff .................................................................. |
David Bradshaw |
| Darby ............................................................... |
Jennifer Jarman-Walker |
| Inspector Lew Murdoch ...................................... |
Peter McCauley |
| Senior Sergeant Moon ......................................... |
Peter McCreery |
JANUS (1994):
Regular Cast
| Peter Faithfull
................................................. |
Simon Westaway |
| Michael Kidd .................................................. |
Chris Haywood |
| Mal Hennessey ............................................... |
Brett Swain |
| Shirl Hennessey .............................................. |
Paulene Terry-Beitz |
| Steve Hennessey ............................................. |
Leon Teague |
| Kirsty Nichols ................................................. |
Belinda McClory |
| Tina Bertram ................................................... |
Tracey Mann |
| Jenny Hanson ................................................. |
Jane Menelaus |
| Bronowski ....................................................... |
Jack Finsterer |
| Magistrate Glenda de Bono ............................. |
Louise Silversen |
| Magistrate Shearer ........................................... |
Simon Chilvers |
| Vic Manoulis ................................................... |
Jeremy Kewley |
| Rob Griffin ..................................................... |
Felix Nobis |
| Cassidy ........................................................... |
Grant Piro |
| Danny Wyatt .................................................. |
Steve Vidler |
| Shane Hennessey ............................................ |
Jonathan Kernutt |
| Sen Det. Jan Murray ....................................... |
Leverne McDonnell |
Biographies:
 |
PAUL SONKKILA (JOCK BRENNAN)
An accomplished stage, television and film actor trained in
London, Sonkkila plays Jock Brennan, a hard-nosed, old fashioned
cop leading the Phoenix investigation who's wife divorces him
in the first episode.
Films: The Survivor (1980), Stir (1980), Hoodwink (1981),
Gallipoli (1981), The Year of Living Dangerously (1982), Freedom
(1982). TV: Cry for Help (1980), With Prejudice (1982),
Return to Eden (1983), A Bride for All Reasons (1984), Sara Dane
(1982), Sons and Daughters (1982).
|
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SEAN SCULLY (IAN COCHRAN)
Scully is the son of Actress Margaret Christensen who took
him to London when he was 11 where he made an international impression
staring in three Walt Disney films in a row. After being a child
star Scully went on to develop a career with a wide range of
experience in film, television and theatre including working
with Noel Coward on Broadway in the 1960's.
The character of 'Goose' Cochrane is based on the deputy director
of the Victorian Forensic Science laboratory Bob Barnes - an
expert in post-bomb blast analysis. Barnes worked on all the
big bombings, from Russell Street to the Hilton. The physical
likeness between the two was uncanny; when they met Barnes said
Scully could easily have been his brother.
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SIMON WESTAWAY (PETER FAITHFULL)
Simon Westaway played Elwood Blues in successful seasons of
The Official Tribute to the Blues Brothers on stage. Previously
he appeared on the short lived Nine Network soap Family and Friends.
Simon came to the Phoenix role with a working knowledge of life
in the police force - he was a cop for several years before deciding
to try and make it as an actor.
Simon and his wife, Diane, moved from Sydney to Melbourne
with their two young children, Jackson and Bella, for the production
of Janus. Simon was recently reunited with producer Bill Huges
when cast in the lead role of Fable, a telemovie, which screened
on the Seven Network (?) during 1997.
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ANDY ANDERSON (LACHY RENFORD)
Andy Anderson plays good natured Senior Sergeant Lachy Renford.
Anderson is best remembered in Australia as Jim Sullivan from
the long running, award wining Australian series, The Sullivans.
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 |
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TONI POLI (LAZARUS CARIDES)
Before being recruited to Major Crime Laz worked undercover
with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), predominantly
investigating stolen car rackets.
After two years working undercover Laz has some difficulty
fitting in to the close team environment of the task force and
earning the respect of his colleagues. However when Lachy has
a misadventure with a transsexual, (Episode 6: Out of the Cold)
the resulting IID investigation paves the way for Laz to develop
the trust and mateship of the team.
Toni Poli can presently be seen on Home and Away.
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CHRIS HAYWOOD (MICHAEL KIDD)
One of my favourite Australian actors! The breadth of Chris
Heywood's career is amazing. He first caught my attention for
his role in Richard Lowenstein's Strikebound.
The role of Michael Kidd called for a talented actor who could
add more than the brash cock-sure lawyer about town. Heywood's
assured performance earnt him the 1993 Silver Logie for Most
Outstanding Actor - Janus.
Film: The Cars that Ate Paris, Shine, Muriel's Wedding,
Malcolm, Newsfront, Heatwave, Breaker Morant, Emerald City, A
Street to Die. TV: Water Rats, Fisherman's Wake, Boys
from the Bush and GP.
|
 |
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BRETT SWAIN (MAL HENNESSEY)
Brett Swain's wonderfully assured portrayal of vicious criminal
Mal Hennessey was critical to the success of Janus. Between screen
roles Swain can be found at Melbourne's Dracula Theatre Restaurant
where he has worked for nine years.
PAULENE TERRY-BEITZ (SHIRL HENNESSEY)
Shirl Hennessey was Paulene Terry-Beitz's first Television role.
Previously she spent more than four years as a teacher at Northfield
Prison in South Australia. She has also worked in children's
theatre.
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BELINDA McCLORY (KIRSTY NICHOLS)
Belinda McClory plays the defacto wife of criminal Steve Hennessey,
Kirsty Nichols. Kirsty, a tough ex-street kid with two weaknesses,
her love of Steve and fear of the Hennessey family.
This was Belinda McClory's first regular role in a series,
before Janus she had guest roles in Phoenix II, The Seven Deadly
Sins, Secrets, and since Janus has had a recurring role on Blue
Healers (as Jennifer, Constable Nick Shultz's girlfriend).
LEON TEAGUE (STEVE HENNESSEY)
Leon Teague plays Mel Hennessy's younger brother, Steve.
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TRACEY MANN (TINA BERTRUM)
Tina Bertrum is a sharp assertive solicitor with a blunt and
direct manner that's at odds with her waif-like appearance. Bertrum's
job is to brief barristers, but because she is so good at her
job she takes over doing police prosecutions.
Adelaide born Tracey Mann is one of Australia's most well
known and acclaimed actresses, with AFI and Logie Awards to her
credit.
Film: The Box (1975), Hard Knocks (1980), Scarecrow
(1981), Going Down (1982), Fast Talking (1984), Sword of Honour.
TV: The Box, Sweet and Sour, Skirts, The Cowra Breakout,
Vietnam.
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JANE MENELAUS (JENNY HANSON)
Hanson trained at the prestigious London Central School of
Speech and Drama and has also worked with the South Australian
and Melbourne theatre companies. Hanson is married to accomplished
Australian actor Geoffrey Rush (recent star of the great Australian
film Shine, and the Phoenix style series set inside a
Sunday Newspaper Office, Mercury) with a three year old daughter.
TV: Robbery Under Arms, A Thousand Skies, A Country
Practice,
The Flying Doctors.
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NADINE GARNER (??)
Nadine Garner was not a regular cast member only appearing
in the Phoenix II episode Inside Information, however she is
my favourite Australian actress!
Films: Speed (1994); Mull (1989). TV: Raw FM
(1997), Class Act" (1994), Boys From the Bush (1991), Shadows
of the Heart (1990), House Rules" (1988), The Henderson
Kids (1985).
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STEVE VIDLER (DANNY WYATT)
Vidler has also played a cop on TV shows Heartland, and Halifax
F.p.
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- Simon Chilvers (Magistrate Shearer)
60 year old Melbourne actor primarily known for his work on stage.
Films: High Rolling (1977), Buddies (1984), Annie's Coming Out
(1984). TV: Eureka Stockade (1984), Descent for Gossips (1983).
- Jack Finsterer (Bronowski)
Finsterer trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and had
guest appearances on Law of the Land, All Together Now and Neighbours
before Janus.
- Felix Nobis (Rob Griffin)
- Peter McCauley (Inspector Lew Murdoch)
Lew Murdoch plays the game differently to his predecessor Jock
Brennan. He makes no secret of his desire to superannuate out
of the force and into an early retirement. As a result he doesn't
care what the brass and other coppers around him think because
he has nothing to lose.
- David Bradshaw (Fluff)
49 year old Melbourne actor. Films: Kity and the Bagman (1982),
Man from Snowy River (1982). TV: The Last Outlaw (1980), Eureka
Stockade (1984).
- Peter Cummins (Superintendant Wallace)
Melbourne actor of stage, TV and film. Films: Dead Easy (1970),
Nothing Like Experience (1970), Country Town (1971), Bonjour
Balwyn (1971), Stork (1971), Alvin Purple (1973), Dalmas (1973),
Between Wars (1974), The Firm Man (1975), The Great MacArthy
(1975), The Removalist (1975), Storm Boy (1976), Mad Dog Morgan
(1976), High Rolling (1977), Blue Fire Lady (1977), Double Deal
(1982).
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Production Crew
Bill Hughes (Series Producer)
Phoenix is the high water mark of Australian television drama.
The results of Bill Hughes' work on Phoenix can be seen today.
Since Phoenix, Australian drama has never quite been the same.
Phoenix was a shot in the arm for Australian drama production
and proved comprehensively that quality production values can
be achieved in Australian drama, even with the paltry budgets
the ABC has to work with.
Blue Heelers, Police Rescue, The Flying Doctors and GP are
just a few that have drawn on Hughes' methods. 51 year old Hughes
has had an illustrious career that began directing The Sullivans
and has recently been working as producer on Fable, a telemovie
which will screen on the ABC in 1997 starring Simon Westaway.
Television Credits:
Janus; Series Producer (1993)
Janus II; Series Producer (1994)
Phoenix II; Producer (1992)
Skippy; Director (1992)
Phoenix; Producer (1991)
Jackaroo; Producer (1989)
The Flying Doctors; Director
Australia's Most Wanted; Design Director (1988)
Daisy And Simon; In Charge Of Production (1987)
Butterfly Island; Director (1986)
A Fortunate Life; Producer (1984)
High Country; Director (1983)
A Country Practice; Co-Producer, Director, Script Editor (1982)
Cop Shop; Producer; Director, Script Writer, Script Editor (1980-1981)
Quietly Shouting; Producer, Writer, Director (1979)
The Sullivans; Director
Gordon Davie (Advisor)
At 46, Davie left the Victorian Police Force in 1990 as a Senior
Sergeant after an 18 year career. He led many major investigations
and was decorated for his role in the Russell Street bombing investigation.
Davie had also worked on the Hilton Hotel (1978) and Turkish Consulate
(1986) bombings and found many similarities with these investigations
and the plot of Phoenix. Once he agreed to be an advisor to the
series Davie came to be relied on to ensure the accuracy, tone
and attitude of the series was representative of real cops.
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