Underbelly: 13 part drama based on Leadbelly (John Silvester, Andrew Rule)

UNDERBELLY COMMENCES PRODUCTION

Underbelly, the most anticipated drama series of recent times, commenced production in Melbourne today for the Nine Network.

The 13-part blockbuster, based on the book Leadbelly by John Silvester and Andrew Rule, is the compelling dramatisation of Melbourne’s infamous gangland killings that started in 1998 with the murder of Alphonse Gangitano. Underbelly will also follow the rise and fall ofnotorious career criminal Carl Williams, who sought to be king of Melbourne’s underworld and now languishes in prison.

Underbelly is the latest drama from production company Screentime whose recent slate includes The Society Murders and Mary Bryant. “This has to be one of the most exciting and challenging drama projects ever shot in this country,” Des Monaghan, executive producer for Screentime, said.

In keeping with the scope of this fascinating chapter of crime history, Underbelly boasts one of the most exciting ensemble casts ever assembled for Australian television. Rodger Corser (Last Man Standing) and Caroline Craig (Blue Heelers) star as Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen and Detective Constable Jacqui James, who embody the police officers who strove to stem the bloodshed of Melbourne’s internal crime wars.

Portraying real-life characters who have become part of Melbourne folklore are Vince Colosimo (Alphonse Gangitano), Gyton Grantley (Carl Williams), Kat Stewart (Roberta Williams), Simon Westaway (Mick Gatto), Martin Sacks (Mario Condello), Gerard Kennedy (Graham Kinninburgh), Kevin Harrington (Lewis Moran), Callan Mulvey (Mark Moran), Les Hill (Jason Moran), Robert Mammone (Tony Mokbel), George Kapiniaris(George Defteros) and Caroline Gillmer as matriarch Judy Moran.

“From the outset Nine has been 100 per cent committed to bringing Underbelly to the small screen,” said Nine Network Head of Drama, Jo Horsburgh. “And along with Sea Patrol and Canal Road, this landmark production represents the latest chapter in Nine’s proud tradition of creating world-class television.”

“The challenge for the writing team is to capture the essential truth of these extraordinary events in a compelling and coherent manner,” said Screentime’s Head of Drama, Greg Haddrick, who along with Peter Gawler and Felicity Packard will take writing credits.

Haddrick will also co-produce the series in conjunction with industry stalwart Brenda Pam, with Des Monaghan and Jo Horsburgh as executive producers. Underbelly will screen on the Nine Network in 2008.

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  • Anonymous

    You will never get the tru story
    I cant belive you are making a series about this.. Its hurtful and disrespctful to us the famlies of people have died thanks to this war.

  • Killer

    Have a sook!!!! It entertains people like me and I cannot wait for this to screen on free to air tv

  • dynerman

    No sooner we get some entertament on the TV that has something to do with what has happend that we the publick have knowen about but naw still cant find enything out about is not going to be screened on the TV. With all the crappy cop show’s on the TV i was looking foward to seeing the docco show about what went on in those recent times in a city that i used to live in and the state that i live in and is it a case that only we in vic cant see it and the rest of Australia can?

  • Anonymous

    If the people who have died as a result of “this war” are innocent victims, then it’s not disrespectful, and should not be hurtful. If however; and I believe more likely, these people were also involved in illegal and or unsavoury activities, then the families just have to accept it. Sad, but true.

  • Disapointed by some alchoholic female judge

    since its been banned in victoria is someone from anywhere in australia able to upload to torrent so us in victoria are able to watch this great to be show

  • Natasha

    To be honest, the more a show is banned. The more people will want to watch the show. The more people watch the more ratings this show will get. Channel 9 is going to make a killing out of this.

    Also, in respect of the families that people have died, I don’t think that is is hurtful or direspectful. This is simply showing what has happened be it some things circumstantial due to court cases still going through. It was over all news and papers at one stage, graphic details . All you have to do is read one of the True Crime books and most things are already in there or Gangland Wars and its all about the Melbourne Underworld

    I was looking forward to it and am very disappointed that its being pulled here.

  • Anonymous

    To All Those Wanting to See Underbelly
    I will make another post when it becomes available to me but I will have copies of this series for sale. Hopefully in the next 48 hours.

    To All of those opposed,
    I’m sorry your family/ friends were killed in this Underworld stuff, but you have to realise that people want to see this stuff. Also what they are showing on this series is only a depiction of what really happened. After all it is only television.

  • Anonymous

    is that the whole series or just tonights episode?

  • anf..

    i no the true story..i dont need to watch that shit..i just close my eyes and remember everything..cause i was there and involved….to bad the rest of you wont get to see it tho…i actually think it should be shown…and to all you wanna bees who think its kool…well it is…

  • Anonymous

    Anyone found a torrent yet?????

  • Anonymous

    Let me know if you come by any advance screenings of the item at hand. They are needed for a popular research study currently being conducted.

    A. Viewer

  • rob

    haha i cant belive ppl will wanna get this off air the show is awsome and very interesting its strange how selective the public is how everyone wants to see whats happening in america with brit falling of the rails, heaths death and weather it was drugs or not.

    Then we have the rappers who make money from singing about soing stuff like this because we buy the music and then the movies based on true stories of crime that we watch and the amount of news papers that sell when this stuff happens.

    you cant select what real life dramma is ok and then not ok based on your involvment or lack of.

    i think the show is mad and i would like to know everything about all of it its interesting and i think alot of guys would some where inside like the life style that comes with it both good and the bad

    so if you dont like it dont watch it easy fixed!

  • rob

    were u really there?

    and im a fan of it as u might see i love the shit

  • Anonymous

    The media always looks at the criminal in the Underworld killings, how about all those corrupt cops who have knocked off people and who shake down dealers every week for money and drugs. The Drug squad is a joke. How do you think ANthony Mokbel got so Big?

  • Anonymous

    it will be the whole series, that i get a copies of.

  • Anonymous as well

    can i have a copy 2 plz? would love to see it as it’s banned here in vic.

  • kel

    U are the wanna be, you do realise that if you really were a part of it all u would not be on here bragging about it, Not something anyone involved should be bragging about.Although it is an interesting story think of the victims(the public) who were caught up in this and are affected by it not the guys whom bought their own nightmares and deaths on themselves coz they were involved.

  • kel

    sorry my last comment was to ANF and his dumbass comment further down

  • Anonymous

    i think eveyone in melbourne should be able to watch this show.
    dont let evey other state around australia watch it, and not melbourne. it is interesting to see that this went on with in our neighbouring streets. I dont see how this is any diffrent from choppers story, when he brought out his own movie about the people he killed and the lives he ruined. Even though they have banned it in melbouren there are still other ways to get it, what happens when it comes out on dvd?? seriously, just air the show.
    no other state will be able to understand this story as much as melbournes own people. i hope they re think their decision. and view the show.

  • Glenn Smith

    Can relate to all you guys in Victoria…
    We live in the Far Nth West of the Queensland Gulf & we have been banned from watching Underbelly because Imparja TV can’t screen it because they say they can’t seperate the signal from here to Victoria…WHAT A JOKE!!!
    Someone should tell Imparja TV that the year is 2008 NOT 1960…lol
    Isn’t great to have free to air TV…
    We all can only hope that it all gets sorted ASAP so we can watch some good aussie drama.

  • Anonymous

    fucking censorship in 2008. I’m gonna spread the torrent

  • Anonymous

    I’ve seen the 1st episode of this show and yes i have to agree with alot of you people it is a great show, but to the defense of the current Victorian court proceedings, this show should’ve been held back until the case has gone through the court system and a verdict has been handed down relating to this story. It’s only fair and the right thing to do for the whole of this great country of ours

  • Anonymous

    ahhhh

  • Anonymous

    if its so offensive to people why watch there are other channels they can watch there is no difference between win showing underbelly and the other channels showing true stories in their programs win is just be singled because it is an Australia based true story. Yes the jury’s have to be imparsal and not one sided for the trials but if a jury can’t be imparsal ask to be pardoned of jury duty. i leave with one question if Underbelly was based on a gang war in America would the Victorian government be banning it to be shown in Victoria?

  • Anonymous

    The way they did the black prince episode shows that they mean no offence to anyone and that they just want the truth to be tlod once and for all it hasn’t only affected Victoria its affected the whole if Australia famliy members from other states have died in these gang wars and the public has a right to know the truth

  • Anonymous

    this is one fantastic series..camnt get enough..

  • Anonymous

    Get a life people! Its DRAMA! A certain amount of content for this show is CREATED. Yes its fascinating to watch, but just remember it is only TV and these “Characters”, although BASED on real life scum are only artistic portrayals. Lets not champion criminals but give kudos to the great acting this drama showcases.

  • nokidn

    I seen the 1ST series what a farce, i met some of the major players in this war, although what happended in this war was sad. these guys played a huge price for pursuing thier dreams and channel 9 with its cheap suits and poor quality acting are just once again trying to cash in on dead people, ONCE AGAIN IT SHOWS CRIMANAL WORK AND WORKS STILL COMMAND BIG DOLLAR,

  • dandogitano pepperano

    yeah its all true, i used to mow the morans lawn, they used to pay me in bullets and pills, im like alphonse…. only better,
    im now in the wyoming underworld,,,, rumdog motherfucker

  • Tartan

    Hello did any one tape it to night20/02/08 i for got to Rec it so now wife it piss of with me if sum one can help me out i can pick up any where in Sunshine coast

    Thanks

  • Anonymous

    I enjoyed watching underbelly and will enjoy watching all the episodes. I have enough friends who knew most of the main criminal characters and had access to read some of the investigation reports at the time. To have produced this as it really was would have resulted in a great deal of boring hours of watching endless discussions and police foot work which would have been enough to send anyone to a deep sleep. It had enough reality and truth in it to give people who never knew what was happening at the time some glimmer of what the underworld was doing and enough theatrical writing and embellishments to make the shows lively and interesting.

    Y’know, if you take out the killings, there is nothing there which is not happening in every capital city not just in Australia but anywhere in the world. Pity that the Justice System will not allow Melbournians watch it as it comes to air though.

  • Anonymous

    Please keep me in the loop.
    ergosumleon@gmail.com
    thnx!

  • Dave

    This show is great stuff, i used to live in melbourne and still call it home. I think its a bit av how its banned in VIC but to be honest it is very close to when it all happened. I thought they woul have waited a bit longer! Does anyone have a copy of the zoo magazine that had a story about this? It was a really great article and would love to have a copy or even a photo copy. cheers

  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous

    sorry guys the link below doesnt work
    try this one:

    http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/34248788/underbelly?tab=summary

  • C.Williams

    I have the 1st 9 eposides from the production company anyone know where we can get the last 4 eposides.

  • MGL

    can anyone me how many se and eps there are in underbelly or how many eps in the 1st se ?thanks

  • Amy

    When you get this can you also give it to me thnx!

  • Anonymous

    Not a bad series, a little rough on the edges in terms of acting and editing.

    John Silvester & Co. should have got some of their facts straight though.

    Big disappointment is DINO DIBRA. The guy is portrayed as an ethnic Italian and is called (along with ROCCO ARICO) “you Italian fruitcakes” by RICHARD MLADENICH in the episode last night.

    Weird….. all the Underbelly books and Leadbelly books and so on, *never* specify DINO’s ethnicity and imply that he is Italian.

    In-fact, if anyone bothered to look, DIBRA is an Albanian surname. DIBRA’s family even appeared on the news when he died to plead for information. They’re an Albanian family, not Italian.

    His sisters: Sebije Dibra & Violetta Mujushi along with his father Ramiz Dibra appeared at a police media conference after the murder. Check out this link:

    http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/30/1072546532869.html

    Poor researching I’d say. The fact that in over 8 years none of the books published by these guys (let alone the TV series) picked up on the fact that Dino was not an Italian like all the authors preferred to portray. Or perhaps, it is part of the whole “image” that they prefer to sell — cram as many Italians or other certain ethnicities into the book because it sells more?? Poor research.

  • Anonymous

    if the production company gave you the 1st 9 then why cant you ask them for the rest?
    or did you steal them lol

  • Jason Damman

    One thing I found very clever from the writers of the show was how they used the same actor for Richard Mladenich and Bluey from the movie Chopper. They even refer to Richard Mladenich as doing time with Chopper as well. Using the same actor in both movies to me was perfect.

  • Flying_g
  • juzz

    just watched 1 to 10 unreal love it must get the last three episode`s

  • Big H

    i think the show is bodgey. I am related to a character and the portrayals of the main characters is way off. Dino Dibra was a complete womble and criminal nobody. So too the whole Sunshine crew.

  • jimbob

    great show!!!reminds me of another aussie true crime mini series called blue murder. the facts arn’t always 100 percent correct but they both tell the story of what went on.

  • Anonymous

    Melbourne is a town not a state.. the state it was banned in was Victoria… not Melbourne…

  • Anonymous

    hey c.williams have seen the first 2 and im hooked. how would i go about getting upto episode 9? can you help me?

  • Anonymous

    Did anyone else notice last night that when Officer Owen and his girlfriend were having sex in the shower you could actually see his donga hanging down??? Bahahaha I thought it was hilarious

  • Blue murderous

    Here we go again,
    In 1995 there was an excellent mini-series called “Blue Murder”, about the NSW underworld dealings of Neddy Smith and infamous corrupt cop Roger Rodgerson.
    This was shown in all states except for NSW, due to an on-going investigation against Neddy Smith.
    I was devasted when it was banned in NSW, and back then there was no such thing as torrents, or internet downloads. 10 years later it finally made its debut in NSW, which by that stage, had lost some of its releavnce and impact. Still, it was an excellent piece of Australian true crime drama.
    Lets hope the VICs learn our lessons and allow this important story to be told. (otherwise, just download it)

  • http://www.throng.com.au Anonymous

    Somebody told me that Dannielle McGuire is Eddie Mcguire’s sister, does anybody know if this is true or just a stupid rumour.

  • http://www.fontainepress.com/the-underbelly-TV_filthy_rat.html BDB101

    Came across this low profile book on the subject, FILTHY RAT by Simon Illingworth, being re-released next month. Apparently tells the ‘real’ grubby Underbelly story without the gloss. http://www.fontainepress.com/the-underbelly-TV_filthy_rat.html

  • Anonymous

    I would like to know how the Moran children and the wives are going with getting on with their lives? Also is Mokbels current partner the same as depicted in the show?

  • Anonymous

    I would like to know how the Moran children and the wives are going with getting on with their lives? Also is Mokbels current partner the same as depicted in the show?

  • Anonymous

    I love the series but I know for a fact that Richard Mladenich came from an Istrian/Italian family that was displaced at the end of the second world war. It is reasonably common for people from this region to speak and identify as italian but have croatian names. I was also surprised that Richie calls Dibra and Rocco crazy Italians as he was italian and I was pretty sure that Dibra would not be.
    The hard thing about this series is that you get quite interested in certain characters and then they get killed off. Gangitano was a scary guy but Colosimo was so great to watch that it seems a shame to not see any more of him. Likewise the guy playing Mark Moran was sexy and intriguing but he’s finished too. I guess that there won’t be too many left by the end.To some extent Richie Mladenich provided comic relief even though he was a bit of a tragic figure really. It was great to see his mother portrayed so sympathetically. Families of crooks often have a hard time.

  • Kosmic

    Its all a load of shit……..but hey it is Television Drama after all, and dont we love it!!!! Im after episodes 11, 12 & 13 can any one help??? Vic born and proud, but extremely disappointed that I have to work so hard to see this series!!!!

  • bear

    I have been hanging for Wed nights to watch this series.
    I often think about the kids of the real characters and hope they are doing OK. True or false they are living with it.
    Living in wollongong- we want ‘undervella’ to start production soon!

  • Anonymous

    Underbelly is awesome its the best tv program that has been showed this year! I also think that Damien Welsh – Howling is hot. I like ya tatts i think there sexy!

  • Anonymous

    Is there even 13 eps??????

  • Dave

    HELL YES!!!!!
    That wasn’t a donga. It was a babys arm holding an apple!!!
    Won’t hurt his image one little bit. HEHE
    I told my wife and others who missed it and didn’t believe me. We all watched the catch-up late last night and confirmed that there was indead a very large “member” hanbing between his legs during the shower sex scene. You’d think the editors would have picked it up!!!! not literally of course :-)

    Dave

  • Dave

    That was responding to anonymous of course about the shower sex scene in Ep3

    :-)

    Dave

  • Anonymous

    Are the books “Leadbelly” and “Underbelly: the gangland war” both by silvester and rule the same?

    i’m assuming they are and that the latter has been re-released with new title to reflect the show.

  • Anonymous

    Could someone please tell me in very very basic terms (you gather now that I am technologically deficient how I can download this fanatstic series, called Underbelly…

    Specifically I would like to see the shower scene of Roger Corser..so if someone can send me a link to that, it would be great…

    There is another link doing the rounds with Roger in a jogging scene in some other tv show. He does have an awesome appendage. I hope someone can help out. Have a great day.

  • Raging Bull

    Go to Mininova.org and search underbelly episodes 1-10 are avalible just download the torrent.

  • Anonymous

    This is the prt I am having trouble with..)))

  • Suzie

    Blessssed I am to live in SYD giving me the pleasure of watching this fantastic show every week on TV

  • Anonymous

    Your facts are wrong. Reshad “Richard” Mladenic was Bosnian. That’s 100% fact.

  • kathleen carter

    WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU WERE INVOLVED
    WERE U ACTUALLY INVOLVED OR WERE U JUST DRAGGED INTO IT????
    CAUSE OF ASSOCIATION…..WOULD LOVE TO KNOW
    KATH

  • Anonymous

    i love underbelly..i have also researched every character that i no of in the gangland murders… i am obssessed i love the crime and allthe action…i no being apart of it all would be a compltetely different story. if you dont mind me asking, who r u related to? The whole gangland underwold member association excites me… i have never been more intreged…i have only seen 7 episodes, im trying to get theotehrs butit does not screen on victorian tv…

  • http://ikojo.wordpress.com/ Anonymous

    Go to my blog and have a read, it is full of interesting facts about the banning of the show in victoria and my thoughts on the series…..i loved it, best australia tv series i have ever seen

    http://ikojo.wordpress.com/

  • http://ikojo.wordpress.com/ Anonymous

    Go to my blog and have a read, it is full of interesting facts about the banning of the show in victoria and my thoughts on the series…..i loved it, best australia tv series i have ever seen

    http://ikojo.wordpress.com/

  • Anonymous

    nicely said. nice to hear someone speak up for dino and his family would appreciate it too. i spent the last 11 months of dinos life with him. underbelly is 70 % crap, dino would be disappointed at the way they potray him. He had big heart

  • Anonymous

    Great show and like many have said “very interesting”. I secretly enjoy the vics not being able to see it lol. The only thing that gets a bit rich is everyone calling it a war, people high on drugs knocking off blokes in a cowardly way is no war.

  • Anonymous

    Got to get the book ‘Filthy Rat by simon illingworth’ if you want it without the spin of the media and producers. It cuts to the chase with these low life scum bags and tells it how it is. It is available now via fontaine press.

  • Anonymous

    Innocent people get randomly shot, and then known associates of said random people get shot- because they are actually good people- reality check sunshine- if your family is involved they are crooked too- if you look back at the family histories of all these dead beats- its generation after generation of drug dealing rough heads… them knocking each other off is Darwin at work I say!