★★★★★ 0/5

Crownies

ABC's new legal drama that explores young lawyers dealing with pressure asks a lot of the audience but there's enough to make a case for a promising series.

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Television sure is full of legal dramas.

Most of them tell the story of a lawyer getting their client off. Most of them tell the story of an entire case resolved within a single episode.

Crownies does neither of these things, and that’s a good thing. It helps give the new ABC drama a point of difference.

But there’s a lot to take in with this first instalment of 2 hours.

Strictly speaking, the Department of the Public Prosecution is fictional (NSW actually has a Director of Public Prosecution) but with all the Sydney locations it’s difficult not to simply see this as a Sydney-based drama. The producers have tried hard to make this a generic Australian metropolis -you won’t see the Harbour Bridge here.

Lewis Fitz-Gerald plays the most senior role here, as the Director of the DPP, David Sinclair. Other senior lawyers are played by Marta Dusseldorp, Jerome Ehlers and, returning to screen in a regular role after a long absence, Peter Kowitz. In a supportive admin role is character actress, Jeanette Cronin.

But the focus of Crownies is the young guns, the still-wet-behind-the-ears lawyers who are learning on the run. Despite their relative inexperience they are entrusted with cases that matter and make decisions that affect real people. As a dramatic premise it’s a noble dilemma worth exploring. Crownies will also dramatise how these kinds of pressures impact on their personal lives, indeed how they release that pressure.

For much of the premiere two-part episode they release it through sex. A lot of sex. On the desk, under the desk, at the office party, in the corridor, on the move…. They’re a pretty glamorous lot too, dressed up in evening wear and skimpy outfits that would look more at home on Underbelly: The Golden Mile (it’s a visual red herring, the plot soon justifies the attire).

That said, I would be worried about these randy kids trying to prosecute any case I was a party to.

The effect of this overt display detracts from the kind of legal drama one might expect of ABC -but perhaps that’s the point. At any rate, I didn’t really buy it and felt like it was sensation for the sake of it.

There are several legal cases set up in the premiere: a sexual scandal involving the Attorney General, a teenage murderer, the rape of a disabled teen, the prosecution of a drug pusher, and a high profile murder case.

With 22 episodes this series will see cases ebb and flow across its series arc. But with 9 ensemble characters (and at least 13 featured parts) and so many legal cases to set up, the focus of the premiere is diluted. I’m not convinced it’s the most effective way into the world of this DPP.

A scene involving a Muslim woman asked to remove her traditional headdress is one of the better moments. It personalises contemporary issues and dramatises the dilemma. If anyone comes off looking bad here, it’s the magistrate.

The young cast members are quite good, with Todd Lasance given the lion’s share of the attention. But Hamish Michael impresses as a lawyer nervous about speaking in public. Andrea Demetriades could also be one to watch. Other roles are played by Indiana Evans, Ella Scott Lynch, Chantelle Jamieson, and Christopher Morris.

The premiere is a bit of a mixed bag: there are flashes of story and character, partnered by some pedestrian scenes and others that are over the top.

The feel of the show is This Life meets MDA, the latter produced by the same producers, Screentime.

ABC opens the series with a double-episode debut, presumably to address the vast scale of the project. I felt a disconnect from the premiere but admit it demonstrated enough ideas and performers to warrant another look.

In the current TV landscape, that may be ABC’s challenge for the wider audience.

I suppose in that respect, this jury is still out?

Crownies airs 8:30pm Thursdays on ABC1.

37 Responses

  1. I like the combination of serious plotlines with crazy private lives. The fact that they are lawyers makes the dialogue work better; these people all have great lines.
    I’m definitely hooked, at least till next week.

  5. Oh dear this was truly awful.
    The writers,in between the cliches,had no idea how to substantiate the story.
    The director had little chance with such a poor script and didn’t disappoint.
    The actors were left the unenviable position of trying to save this mess and despite a couple of promising efforts failed.
    The good news is it must improve,but it was so bad I doubt many will be back to witness it.

  6. Enjoyed it, missed the first few mintues unfortunately. Found it pacey and easy to watch. Sure it isn’t Janus, but good to have something to watch on a Thursday night.

  7. That was actually very promising. It was a little shaky, as most first episodes are, but the characters and stories show real promise. I will definitely be tuning in again.

  8. I’d give it about 3 stars also. Although it wasn’t outstanding I will definitely tune in next week and hopefully it will improve as it finds its feet.

  9. I enjoyed it even though it was a bit of a soapie.
    I also enjoyed seeing unfamiliar actors but that’s probably because I don’t watch Australian soap generally, others here seem to know some of them.
    The few I have watched all seem to have the same cast with minor variations!
    Mind you most UK shows also feature a revolving cast of a few dozen people!
    Recorders flat out recording Falling Skies, Lost Girl, and Mistresses from Foxtel, and the final of Desperate Housewives.
    A busy night!

  11. yes, it was definitely a bit hit and miss. some of the actors and dialogue = bit ordinary. But there was more than a few gold moments. ill be back.

  12. I do not watch Home and Away…so do not know the actors on it…..
    I enjoyed this show….was going to turn off halfway to watch Graham Norton…but stayed for the full show….plenty of variety to keep me interested….Well Done!

  15. Hang on.
    Just be cause you start your career in Home & Away doesn’t make you a reject.
    If anything, you learn your craft better than most.
    Indiana Evans is fantastic in Crownies, a real surprise package.

  17. As long as doesn’t get bogged down in left wing sympathies like MDA, I’ll stay with it. MDA had a pretty good cast but the storylines let it down.

    I wish Crownies all the best as viewers need to see Australian stories on the TV and it gives the local indutry much need employment.

  19. So the first ep was less about getting their clients off and more about getting themselves off?

    Another good review, David – thanks. I don’t know if I’ll last nearly two and a half hours but I’ll give it a go.

  20. “I would be worried about these randy kids trying to prosecute any case I was a party to.”
    In a nutshell, this is why so many Australian shows are failing. To have successful lead charactes, we have to trust them in their defining roles.
    No-one would trust Nina to deliver their babies, or Lara or any of the Rush people to rescue them, or Steph to be their best friend… and on it goes. If these lawyers have no cred, why should I invest my precious time in them?

  24. Agree wholeheartedly David. Still trying to figure out why a new show, screening in July, starts with a Christmas party with a 1930s theme. Isn’t the theme at a Christmas party Christmas?
    Fingers crossed it settles down as it has great potential.

  25. This appeals for a couple of reasons. There will be no adverts, and the ABC will give it a consistant time slot. So given the line up on other channels is not exactly great on a Thursday night, if this is any good it will get me hooked and hopefully a few others.

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