Janet King (character)

Janet King
Crownies and Janet King character
Marta Dusseldorp as Janet King
First appearance	"Episode 1" 14 July 2011
Portrayed by	Marta Dusseldorp
Information
Occupation	Senior Crown Prosecutor

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. Dusseldorp prepared for the role by researching legal cases and observing prosecutors in court. She also visited the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery and shadowed Margaret Cunneen SC, a Senior Crown Prosecutor whom the character of Janet King is based. Janet is characterised as a "tough and tenacious" Senior Crown Prosecutor who has worked in the DPP office for ten years. The character is also 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 titular role. The actress has stated that she made deliberate changes to ensure that 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.

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.

"Watching her take on this vitally important role in society, and do a job that is so emotionally wrenching, helped me build a character that I hoped did crown prosecutors justice."