Lawless

Synopsis

Undercover cop John Lawless is falsely accused of murder. Together with Jodie Keane he investigates the case to clear his name.

Cast

Kevin Smith as John Lawless

Angela Dotchin as Jodie Keane

Geoff Dolan as Detective Sergeant Dave Bruford

Ross Duncan as Alan Snow

Joel Tobeck as Terry Bowers

Calvin Tuteao as Willy Kaa

Tahei Simpson as Sonya Davidson

Susan Brady as Marla Lawless

Elizabeth Hawthorne as Susan Ellis

Bruce Hopkins as Andy Deakin

Reception

Sarah Daniell in the Evening Post called it "a simple story told with a dash of subtlety and style" and wrote "The makers of Lawless are not exactly breaking new ground in originality, but neither do they glamourise or moralise over drugs, and never is there that subliminal finger-wagging or tut-tutting that whacks you over the head." Bruce Elder in The Sydney Morning Herald called it "a topnotch cop story." He says "The plot line is fast and suitably complex. The acting makes most Aussie cop shows look like amateur theatrics. And the settings are a neat mixture of the rough end of town and picture-postcard NZ." In the Age Paul Kalina says "in terms of production values and storylines this is unremarkable, below-par fare."

Awards

New Zealand Academy of Film and Television Arts awards 1999

Best Drama Programme - won

Best Director, Drama - Chris Martin-Jones - won

Best Actress - Angela Dotchin - won

Best Supporting Actor - Joel Tobeck - won

Best Contribution to a Soundtrack - Chris Burt (for sound design) - won

Best Actor - Kevin Smith - nominated

Best Supporting Actress - nominated

Sequels

Lawless: Dead Evidence (2000)

Jodie Keane finds ex-undercover cop turned bouncer John Lawless to get his helping solving an old murder. She believes the accused has been framed. C. Thomas Howell plays the accused.

Lawless: Beyond Justice (2001)

Private investigator John Lawless and his colleague investigate an apparent suicide. Jennifer Rubin plays their client.