Janet King (character)

The character was conceived by associate producer Hilary Bonney and co-producer Jane Allen.[2] 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."[2] On 24 January 2011, Greg Hassall from The Sydney Morning Herald announced Dusseldorp's involvement in the show.[3] The following month, Les Kennedy of The Sun-Herald revealed that she had been cast as the drama's senior Crown prosecutor.[4] Dusseldorp spent eight months filming the role for Crownies.[5]

In preparation for the role Dusseldorp researched numerous legal cases and observed prosecutors behaviour before judges in district courts. She and fellow cast member Lewis Fitz-Gerald (who plays David Sinclair) visited and was welcomed by the Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery. She also shadowed a Senior Crown Prosecutor, Margaret Cunneen SC.[7][8][9] Her time with Margaret Cunneen SC found her attending conferences with defence lawyers, psychiatrists and a victim. She also inspected the New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions office. Dusseldorp found the experience "humbling" and became "addicted" to the serious nature surrounding cases.[9] Dusseldorp explained to a reporter from Lawyers Weekly that she found it challenging when she realised "how atrocious" most cases are. She credited her research for her admiration of the job prosecutors do for the community.[10]

Dusseldorp used her experiences to portray Janet. She told Wendy Tuohy of the Herald Sun she wanted to capture the "public/private dichotomy" of a Prosecutor. She believed they had slight arrogance and were calm and collected when in court. They would not decide to prosecute unless they believed in a conviction. Dusseldorp stated "I feel very much when I do the show I am always working with the truth, and on the right side."[9]

Senior Crown Prosecutor, Janet King, is a star and one of the most feared and admired advocates at the bar. Steely and immovable, with an armour-piercing gaze and a tongue that can eviscerate a poor argument, she is a consummate professional. Cool but not cold, juries feel she is one of them, a wise, unbiased guide to the truth. Janet will impart her legal wisdom to those who seek her counsel. Gaining her respect is a long road for the uninitiated, but you want her in your corner.

— The official Crownies website on Janet (2011).[11]

Janet studied law at the University of Sydney before being awarded with a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. She is an experienced barrister and has worked in the DPP's office for ten years. She is characterised as tough and tenacious, with a sharp tongue and mind.[8] The actress described Janet as "complicated, competent, risky, vicious, loving."[7] Dusseldorp was loath to portray Janet as too "hard-nosed and ball-breaking". Despite Janet's strong willed nature, she said of her portrayal, "I've tried to confess to the audience when I can that she's actually as fragile and full of feeling and love for humanity."[9] The actress also admired how self-assured Janet is.[5]

Dusseldorp has tried to play Janet with little compassion because becoming emotionally involved with victims is not helpful for prosecutors' cases. Instead her compassion is learned over time through situations arising in her personal life.[9] But one storyline really challenged the actress. When Janet deals with a case of child murder, Dusseldorp found it difficult to say her lines without crying. Knowing that Janet would not become emotional she had to overcome the predicament.[8] The series does explore light-hearted stories. Dusseldorp has stated that she plays Janet more "wry than dry" in such scenarios.[12] Dusseldorp's hair was coloured by stylist Timothy Cole especially for the role.[13]

Janet is a lesbian and Dusseldorp told Graeme Watson from "Out in Perth" that viewers were happy with it. She believed that depiction of lesbian characters was not prevalent. She liked her character because “she was one of the most all rounded women” she had played.[7] She told Sacha Molitorisz from The Age "not to give anything away, she's in a lesbian relationship and things spin out of control a bit."[8] Janet becomes pregnant via in vitro fertilisation and as a mother of two, Dusseldorp felt able to portray pregnancy accurately.[9] The pregnancy and relationship storyline was played out as a background sub-plot.[14]

ABC1 Controller Brendan Dahill praised Dusseldorp's portrayal.

Prior to Crownies final airing, ABC1 Channel Controller Brendan Dahill revealed that he wanted a spin-off to be created. He also cited Dusseldorp and Michael as his favourite performers.[15] On 20 August 2012, ABC TV confirmed that it had commissioned an "8-part legal and political thriller" titled Janet King.[16] ABC's Head of Fiction, Carole Sklan branded Janet a "fabulous character" and the series would be "exciting" and centric around Janet. She added "the series looks at the dilemmas of a contemporary woman who returns to work after a year's maternity leave and is flung into a shocking prosecution that involves layers of intrigue played out at the highest levels of power. Janet King's case leads her through some astounding twists and revelations that impact on her life on every level."[16] Screentime's Des Monaghan said that it had become obvious to his company and the ABC that the audience had developed "a great deal" of affection for the character of Janet and was happy to build on that success.[16] It was also revealed that more of the cast of Crownies would return alongside Dusseldorp.[16] Sklan later revealed more details in a press release. She stated "Janet returns to the DPP to confront a high-profile murder and a conspiracy which will threaten to unravel her life and everything she loves." She also praised Dusseldorp's portrayal of Janet as "compelling and captivating".[17]

Dusseldorp loves playing Janet but often finds the experience a "harrowing" one. She told Elissa Blake from The Sydney Morning Herald that Janet "never shuts up".[18] She believed that in Crownies Janet did not listen to others - "she knew what she knew and that was that". But she deliberately played her differently in Janet King and despite admiring her superior trait; Dusseldorp felt the need to tone it down. Janet's foray into motherhood also makes her uncertain if she wants to return to work. The actress added that "then, just as she's wondering if it's all worth it, she's propelled into a series of horrors."[18]