KeroScee On the face of it; Janet King (played by Marta Dusseldorp) sounds like an interesting take on the 'legal drama' serial. Hard hitting cases, delivered in gritty undertones that reflect the depravity we might see the darkest corners of society. Unfortunately, Janet King falls well short of this goal.To start, the writing shows a definitive lack of subtlety, and authenticity. Legal scenarios play out in an overdramatic and stilted fashion. Backroom politicking comes across as artificial and forced. Much of the drama in Janet King feels artificial, as if the script was written without revision, research, or imagination. This leads us to the characters.It is difficult to make statements on the quality of the acting here. Undoubtedly, much of the cast is capable of better things, but without any quality material to work with, any exceptional talent will go unnoticed. Characterisation, script, sets and the costume design are like cardboard cut-outs; they have no depth. Everything is played out linearly, any defining moments or character growth is played out in an almost 'by the numbers' fashion. In a sense, nothing comes across as surprising, or real. Janet King's relationship with her female partner could have been a golden moment in Australian TV. Instead if feels forced, stale and all too well adjusted; with Janet spending more time staring intensely into the camera than experiencing the pitfalls of the human condition.Janet's moral compass and personal philosophy appears to come at no true cost to herself, or her family. Events that should have a significant impact on her personality should impart mental scars or growth. We see none of that in Janet King, rather our protagonist comes across as a hollow amalgamation of various tropes and traits grabbed off a Tumblr guide to LGBT people written by a 14-year-old.The photography work is exceptional. Crisp angles are used to dynamically frame environments, while use of depth and focus shift are used to great effect. This technical brilliance (kudos to grip and camera crew), is squandered continuously due to poor direction and script. If anything, the great camera work shows off just how poor the story telling, dialogue and set pieces are. For example, people's houses look like magazine pieces. Show models that are utterly unlived in, that give no inclination as to the personalities of their residents. We see our titular character's home life often, but it reveals nothing of her personality or that of her family. It simply comes across as continuously frozen in time.Attention to detail for such things are instead shifted to diverse or overdressed extras, who say and do nothing other than contrast with the predominately Anglo cast. At best this comes across as poorly executed and one-dimensional attempt at showing a 'modern Australia'. At worst its pandering to a demographic that doesn't watch public television anymore.In summary, Janet King is a perfect example of terrible original Australian programming. It is utterly devoid of imagination, appropriate attention to detail and quality control. Perhaps in a new series, with a completely new set of producers, directors, and scriptwriters it might be worth watching.Until then it will likely languish in forgotten mediocrity because it lacks one key element; it isn't believable.

Bill Obviously my esteemed fellow reviewer has an axe to grind. Describing it as pushing a "leftist, lesbian" agenda is utter nonsense. If the relationship were heterosexual, I seriously doubt that any such vitriol would be forthcoming. Yes, the initial police/courtroom/trial scenes had a couple of "reality" plot holes large enough to drive a tank through, but these are easy to forgive, given the extraordinary quality of this series. Perhaps if you require an absolutely, completely, utterly perfect drama series, you could make it yourself? If for no other reason than to show the rest of us how amazingly talented & absolutely NOT homophobic you must be.

rachel-marett My husband & I were fans of Crownies, which sadly ran for only 1 season despite being an excellent drama.Janet King is a 'spin off' series, incorporating a number of other characters from Crownies. We both enjoy this series which is well acted & scripted as well as being a superior Australian drama.It showcases the complexities of prosecuting offenders, the relationship with police & the state government, as well as the weight of public expectation.We hope this series runs into the future with its talented cast of actors.

Whistleblower2 I commenced to watch this program with great expectations based on the promotion on the ABC television channel. How the ABC promotions can claim glowing approval from critics when it hasn't been screened is somewhat problematic.Having now watch two episodes I was particularly disappointed with the biased feminist left leaning lesbian relationship, the contrived relationship between prosecutors and police, the shallow stereotypical good guy bad guy characters and the sharp feminist anti anti male diatribe in the office. Overall it has what what appeared to me to be a second rate shallow plot full of stereotypes with very little in the way of redeeming features.There is a strong underlying feminist anti male thread running through this and the bulk of the acting is unconvincing. I will be surprised if as this series (which is a spin-off from the low rating series "Crownies" ) has any greater success despite the hype and hyperbola from the ABC.Compared to other ABC series such as the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries and Dr Blake which are outstanding drama series this is but poor shadow. Altogether a most unenlightening experience.