Janet King

Janet King is a fictional character from the Australian ABC1 legal dramas Crownies and Janet King, played by Marta Dusseldorp. She debuted on-screen in the first episode of Crownies broadcast on 14 July 2011. To prepare, Dusseldorp researched legal cases and observed prosecutors in court. She also visited the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery and shadowed Margaret Cunneen SC, a Senior Crown Prosecutor and model for the character Janet King. Janet is characterised as a "tough and tenacious" Senior Crown Prosecutor who has worked in the DPP office for ten years. The character is in a same-sex relationship and has children via IVF. When Crownies finished airing plans were made to create a spin-off show centric to the character. Janet King was produced in 2013 with Dusseldorp returning to the title role. The actress has stated that she made deliberate changes to ensure Janet listened to others more often. The character has been well received by critics. Glen Humphries of the Illawarra Mercury opined that Janet was a "standout character" and Debi Enker labeled her one of Crownies "better" characters. Crikey's Ben Neutze said Janet was the viewers’ favourite. Guy Davis from The Newcastle Herald named her a role model for junior solicitors. While ABC1 Controller Brendan Dahill has publicised his admiration of Dusseldorp's portrayal. In 2014, Dusseldorp won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama for her portrayal of Janet. Development Creation and casting The character was conceived by associate producer Hilary Bonney and co-producer Jane Allen. Bonney explained that Janet developed from their "combined experiences", as she is a barrister and Allen is a criminal lawyer and writer. Janet is also gay, like Allen. Bonney wrote, "she is a bit of both of us, and of all the women we know and admire who work in criminal law." On 24 January 2011, Greg Hassall from The Sydney Morning Herald announced Dusseldorp's involvement in the show. The following month, Les Kennedy of The Sun-Herald revealed that she had been cast as the drama's senior Crown prosecutor. Dusseldorp spent eight months filming the role for Crownies.