Phoenix
Phoenix
TV ShowEnded

Phoenix

7.0 / 10
1992
2 seasons
26 episodes
CrimeDrama

Phoenix is an Australian police drama television series. Phoenix screened as two thirteen-part series on Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1992 and 1993. The first series of Phoenix in 1992 recounted the investigation of the bombing of the Victorian state police headquarters, loosely based on a real case in the mid-1980s, the Russell Street Bombing. It was aided by extensive research into police techniques and was lauded as one of the most realistic depictions of police investigation techniques, including both surveillance and forensics, as well as having an involving storyline. The series was notable for its dark visual tone and for its no-holds-barred attitude to violence and language. It spawned a second thirteen-part series, Phoenix II, in 1993 as well as a spin-off series, Janus, in 1994 devoted to the machinations of court cases. The series was created and produced by Tony McDonald and Alison Nisselle and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The ABC have released Series 1 and 2 on DVD as a 4 DVD box set.

Sign in to add to your list

What critics are saying

Verdicts use the same scale as your list: highly recommended through avoid — plus optional scores and blurbs.

Highly recommended Recommend Give it a go Neutral Avoid

Nobody on Critic, Sir! has logged a verdict for this title yet. The silence is either respectful or suspicious.

Sign in and use Add to My List below to share your own verdict.

Cast

Seasons

  • Ep 1

    1.Top Quality Crims

    13-02-199250m

    Jock Brennan, Inspector of the Major Crime Squad, is pursuing a vicious armed robber who has stolen police service pistols. Ian Cochrane, public servant and scientist, is in charg...

  • Ep 2

    2.Christmas In July

    13-02-199250m

    In the chaotic remains after the Police Club bombing, over the grim task of sorting through the pieces, Ian and Jock are forced to work together. With the death toll mounting, the...

  • Ep 3

    3.A Bunch of Big Girls

    20-02-199250m

    Megan, an analyst, is the first woman to join the all male world of the Major Crime Squad. She has a hard time of it, initially being shut out by their prejudice. It's not until...

  • Ep 4

    4.On the Edge

    27-02-199250m

    Laz is an undercover cop coming in the from the cold. He's a social outcast and a rebel who has been on the streets too long. His return to the traditional police force - and to...

  • Ep 5

    5.A Dog's Life

    27-02-199250m

    In a raid on the stolen car garage, Nick - one of the bombers - is caught in their net. A relentless round of interrogations go on into the night. Nick keeps a very low profile....

  • Ep 6

    6.Out In the Cold

    12-03-199250m

    The last vestiges of Laz's undercover persona are blown when Jock orders him to start acting like a detective. He can no longer work the streets without risking his life from the...

  • Ep 7

    7.Old Rules, New Games

    19-03-199250m

    With the bombing investigation stalled for lack of hard evidence, Jock seeks out an old trusted informant. Tiny, a professional safebreaker, is Jock's direct link to criminals who...

  • Ep 8

    8.Fond Memories

    26-03-199250m

    Megan, the analyst, takes off on a tangent of her own. She decides to pursue the bombers by assuming they require large amounts of money to finance the bomb and their continuing s...

  • Ep 9

    9.Shaking the Tree

    02-04-199250m

    Pursuing another line in the bombing investigation, the team raid known drug dealers with the hope of shaking out much needed information. One raid goes wrong when Lochie, the Sen...

  • Ep 10

    10.Blessed are the Peace Makers

    09-04-199250m

    Knowing that they are facing very heavy villains, Jock allows a member of the crack Special Operations Group to be assigned to the bombing investigation team. Although Blazo is th...

  • Ep 11

    11.Hair of the Dog

    16-04-199250m

    With the forensic evidence largely tagged and ready, Carol becomes increasingly cut off from Ian and the lab. Now that she has returned to work - abandoning her maternity leave -...

  • Ep 12

    12.Paradise Tomorrow

    23-04-199250m

    For the first time we close in on the bombers and confirm how dangerous and renegade are their personalities. We see why the bombing investigation has battled for every slim lead....

  • Ep 13

    13.Hard Ball

    30-04-199250m

    The final curtain. The investigation team know they are dealing with mad dogs who are unlikely to come in quietly. The raid, then the interrogations have to come off with lightnin...

Watching Lists

Sign in to create and edit public lists.

Loading lists…

Purchase & Discovery

Find this title on Amazon

Digital

Prime Video & digital

Amazon mixes rent, buy, and Prime in one place — one search covers the usual options.

As an Amazon Associate, Critic, Sir! earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure