Crownies

Crownies
Company type	Television series
Industry	Television production
Founded	July 14, 2011; 15 years ago
Headquarters	Sydney, Australia
Products	Drama television series

Crownies is an Australian drama television series that was broadcast on ABC1 from 14 July until 1 December 2011. The narrative centers on a team of newly graduated lawyers collaborating with Crown Prosecutors in New South Wales, operating under the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office.

Production

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's ABC1 commissioned Crownies for a total of 22 episodes, with production overseen by Karl Zwicky. This marked the ABC's first long-form drama commission since the 2005 series MDA. Principal filming commenced in January 2011 in Sydney, focusing mainly on locations within the Parramatta Justice Precinct to optimize budget and convenience. Additional scenes were shot around Parramatta’s riverside shops and streets, including a local Brazilian eatery transformed into "Gar's Bar," a significant social setting for the characters. Rural sequences were captured within a 15-minute drive from Parramatta to maintain cost-effectiveness. Filming wrapped up in September 2011.

The writing team comprised Greg Haddrick, Jane Allen, Kylie Needham, Tamara Asmar, Blake Ayshford, Chris Hawkshaw, Justine Gillmer, Pete McTighe, Stuart Page, and Sam Miekle. Direction was provided by Tony Tilse, Chris Noonan, Cherie Nowlan, Grant Brown, Lynn Hegarty, Garth Maxwell, and Jet Wilkinson.

Casting announcements made in January 2011 included Todd Lasance, Hamish Michael, Marta Dusseldorp, and Jerome Ehlers.

Main

Todd Lasance portraying Ben McMahon
Hamish Michael as Richard Stirling
Ella Scott Lynch in the role of Erin O'Shaughnessy
Andrea Demetriades playing Lina Badir
Marta Dusseldorp as Janet King
Indiana Evans cast as Tatum Novak
Peter Kowitz taking on Tony Gillies
Jeanette Cronin as Tracey Samuels
Lewis Fitz-Gerald appearing as David Sinclair QC
Jerome Ehlers in the role of Rhys Kowalski

Recurring

Aimee Pedersen as Ashleigh Larsson
Anna Lise Phillips portraying Sonya
Chantelle Jamieson as Julie Rousseau
Christopher Morris playing Andy Campbell
Daniel Lissing as Conrad De Groot
Elias Joukhdar cast as Tariq Badir
Heather Mitchell appearing as Judge Walker
Marcus Graham in the role of Danny Novak
Paul Moxey portraying Harry
Petra Yared as Paula Corvini
Ritchie Singer taking on The Honourable Mr Justice Rosenberg

Guests

Amy Mathews featured as Vanessa Kenay (1 episode)
Anya Beyersdorf appearing as Rebecca (1 episode)
Bob Baines cast as Dr Wally Kos (1 episode)
Diane Craig portraying Carolyn Fletcher (1 episode)
Fayssal Bazzi playing Mustafa Al-Tikriti (1 episode)
Lucy Bell featured as Ruth Steinberg (1 episode)
Marina Finlay appearing as Trudie (1 episode)
Nathaniel Buzolic cast as Jesse Major (1 episode)
Sarah Chadwick portraying Justice Stanton (1 episode)
Tammy MacIntosh as Dr Amelia Ward (1 episode)

Spin-off series

Prior to the conclusion of Crownies, ABC1 Channel Controller Brendan Dahill expressed enthusiasm about developing a spin-off, praising the performances of Marta Dusseldorp and Hamish Michael. He acknowledged notable strengths within Crownies and remarked on its unexpectedly modest audience reception. On 20 August 2012, ABC TV announced an eight-episode legal and political thriller titled Janet King. Production commenced early in 2013 and included several returning actors from Crownies. The series debuted on 27 February 2014.

Home media

The series Crownies was made available on region 4 DVD in two separate releases: the first set, containing eleven episodes, was issued on 6 October 2011, followed by the second set on 1 December 2011. Subsequently, both collections were also released for region 2 audiences.

Although the show did not air in the United Kingdom, it can be accessed through STV Player, the on-demand streaming platform operated by STV, which is the ITV affiliate serving North and Central Scotland.

Critical analysis

Doug Anderson from The Sydney Morning Herald commended the series for its strong ensemble, innovative writing, and well-developed character dynamics, emphasizing its suitability for discerning viewers. He particularly noted Tatum Novak as a contemporary figure contrasting with more traditional characters who intertwine personal struggles with legal storylines. In contrast, Craig Mathieson expressed concerns about the show's uneven tone, describing it as "disorganized" due to sudden transitions between seductive, cynical, and heartfelt elements.

Awards and nominations

Award	Date of ceremony	Category	Recipients and nominees	Result
Equity Awards	29 March 2012	Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series	Crownies	Template:Nom
Logie Award	15 April 2012	Most Outstanding New Talent	Hamish Michael	Template:Nom
Australian Directors' Guild Awards	11 May 2012	Best Direction in a TV Drama Series	Jet Wilkinson	Template:Nom

External links