F.Y.I.

Underbelly: Squizzy gets underway

Screentime has begun production on the latest instalment of Underbelly for Nine.

The announcement:

Australia’s most colourful crime tsar is set to reclaim his throne when UNDERBELLY: SQUIZZY commences filming on location in Melbourne this week.

A Screentime production for the Nine Network, the sixth instalment in this iconic series will chronicle the exploits of Joseph Theodore Leslie Taylor, known to all as “Squizzy” – the celebrity gangster whose ego and ambition knew no boundaries.

Spanning the years from 1915 to 1927, UNDERBELLY: SQUIZZY tells the epic story of Squizzy’s relentless quest for power, ultimately creating a public persona that made him the first superstar gangster of the 20th Century.

With rising star, Jared Daperis, in the titular role, the dynamic cast will include Susie Porter, as matriarch “Rosie Taylor”, alongside Luke Ford, Dan Wyllie, Nathan Page, Richard Cawthorne, Ashley Zukerman, Matt Boesenberg, Diana Glenn, Ken Radley, Andrew Ryan, Fletcher Humphrys and Peter Moon, with Camille Keenan, Elise Jansen and Gracie Gilbert as the three diverse women who loved, and ultimately lost, this complex man.

Longstanding series Producers Peter Gawler and Elisa Argenzio will helm the production, with David Caesar, Andrew Prowse, Karl Zwicky and Shawn Seet directing, with Screentime’s Des Monaghan and Greg Haddrick and the Nine Network’s Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan as Executive Producers.

Regular UNDERBELLY writers Felicity Packard, Jeff Truman and Peter Gawler, joined by Adam Todd and Andy Muir, have penned the show’s episodes.

Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan from the Nine Network said, “Nine is thrilled to bring the romantic and audacious life of Squizzy Taylor to the screen. As our first celebrity gangster, Squizzy Taylor captivated, charmed and scandalised the Australian public of 1915-27. We are confident UNDERBELLY: SQUIZZY will have the same appeal in 2013.”

Executive Chairman of Screentime Des Monaghan said, “Squizzy loved women and they loved him which may explain why he became such a legendary figure and his story endures. He was to the 20th Century what Ned Kelly was to the 19th.”

UNDERBELLY: SQUIZZY will air on the Nine Network in 2013.

Source: Nine press release

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.