Underbelly (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Underbelly


caption = "Underbelly" logo
genre = Drama
creator =
developer =
presenter =
starring = Les Hill
Gyton Grantley
Kat Stewart
Damian Walshe-Howling
Rodger Corser
Caroline Craig
Vince Colosimo
Martin Sacks
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme = Burkhard Dallwitz "It's A Jungle Out There"
endtheme =
country = AUS
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 13
list_episodes = List of Underbelly episodes
director =
producer = Greg Haddrick
Brenda Pam
executive_producer = Des Monaghan
Jo Horsburgh
runtime = 60 minutes
(including commercials)
network = Nine Network
picture_format = 1080i (HDTV)
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = 13 February 2008 - 7 May 2008
last_aired =
website = http://www.underbellytv.com/
imdb_id = 1119176
tv_com_id = 75097

"Underbelly" is a 13-part Australian television mini-series, based on the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne as depicted in the book "Leadbelly: Inside Australia's Underworld", by "Age" journalists John Silvester and Andrew Rule. "Underbelly" began screening on 13 February 2008 on the Nine Network (and affiliates) in all states and territories except Victoria, due to a court injunction. An edited version of the series premiered in Victoria on 14 September 2008 after the injuction was partially lifted, although only the first five episodes of the series will be shown.cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24311017-2702,00.html |title=Edited "Underbelly" episodes to air in Victoria |accessdate=2008-09-14 |author=Rout, Milanda |date=8 September 2008 |publisher="The Australian"] The series depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Moran family and their rival, Carl Williams. It was produced by the Australian Film Finance Corporation, in association with Film Victoria,cite web|title=Attachment to a Production|url=http://film.vic.gov.au/www/html/592-attachment-to-a-production.asp|publisher="Film Victoria"|date=2008-04-30|accessdate=2008-05-11] and is filmed primarily in Melbourne, at locations around the city where the real-life events occurred. The executive producers are Des Monaghan and Jo Horsburgh.

The lead-up to "Underbelly" involved a heavy marketing campaign which covered radio, print, billboards and an increased online presence, including the use of social networking tools. At a reported cost of $500,000,cite news | last = Devlyn | first = Darren | coauthors = Power, Emily | date = 13 February 2008 | title = "Underbelly" Whack: Court Ruling could Cost Nine Millions | work = Herald Sun | pages = p. 5 ] both this marketing investment and potentially millions of dollars in advertising revenue were claimed to be put at risk by the Victorian Supreme Court's injunction, as the series was expected to attract 800,000 to 1 million viewers in Victoria alone. The injunction was put in place to ensure that upcoming criminal trials were not unfair to the accuseds, because the series contained fictionalised re-enactments of several disputed events. "Underbelly" was a critical and ratings success when ultimately aired, being described as "Australia's best ever crime drama". The opening double episodes, which aired on 13 February, attracted an average of 1,320,000 viewers nationally, minus Victoria.

Every episode of the 13-part series was soon made available for download on a range of sites, with the Nine Network saying it was considering legal action. The legal DVD of "Underbelly" was released on 8 May 2008, a day after the final episode was aired on television. Due to the legal suppression, the release was not able to be distributed through any retail or rental outlets in Victoria or on the internet. The Nine Network has also approved a second season of "Underbelly", which has confirmed to be a prequel.cite web|title=Nine Network to produce new "Underbelly" TV crime series|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23646861-5001021,00.html|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|date=2008-05-05|accessdate=2008-05-10]

Production

Conception

"Underbelly" is based on the book "Leadbelly: Inside Australia's Underworld", by "Age" journalists John Silvester and Andrew Rule.cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/theres-life-in-the-old-gangsters-yet/2008/05/05/1209839531122.html |title="Underbelly" Not Dead Yet – TV & Radio – Entertainment |accessdate=2008-07-01 |date=2008-05-05 |publisher="The Age"] As the Nine Network was interested in creating local and world-class television, they decided to invest in a drama series that told the story of the Melbourne gangland killings. Jo Horsburgh, Nine Network Head of Drama, stated that the Nine Network was "100 percent committed to bringing "Underbelly" to the small screen". Des Monaghan, executive producer for Screentime, said that "Underbelly" was "one of the most exciting and challenging drama projects ever shot in [Australia] ".cite web|author=Knox, David |title=First shots fired in "Underbelly" |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/07/first-shots-fired-in-underbelly.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2007-07-02|accessdate=2008-07-02] The script took 12 months to write, beginning in June 2006, with the main writers, Greg Haddrick, Peter Gawler and Felicity Packard putting together an entire episode themselves before their scripts were edited. [cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23335272-5003422,00.html |title=Killer script "Underbelly's" secret |accessdate=2008-07-04 |author=Hickey, Neil |date=2008-03-07 |publisher= "The Courier-Mail"] Haddrick, Screentime's Head of Drama, felt that the challenge for the writing team was to "capture the essential truth of these extraordinary events in a compelling and coherent manner".

Filming

"Underbelly" was filmed in Melbourne, at locations around the city where the real-life events occurred.cite web|first=Fiona|last=Byrne|title=Filming Kicks Off on Gangland Feud|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21995251-5006022,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2007-07-01|accessdate=2008-04-26] Filming took over 82 days, from 2 July to 19 October 2007, with 150 inner urban locations utilised and 450 locations surveyed making the series as close to life as possible.cite web|title="Underbelly"|url=http://www.tv3.co.nz/TVShows/Drama/Underbelly/tabid/693/Default.aspx?showid=15009|publisher=TV3|date=|accessdate=2008-05-10] Parts of the series were filmed in the Essendon area, near many of the houses and schools associated with the "Underworld".cite web|first=Shelley|last=Tustin|title="Underbelly" Editorial Review |url=http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/tv/viewContent/1119945820027/1137581823944|publisher="City Search Sydney"|date=2008-04|accessdate=2008-05-11] Many of the Carlton scenes were filmed in North Melbourne, primarily around Errol Street. All La Porcella filming was done at Rubicon Restaurant Errol Street, and jail visit sequences were filmed in the dressing rooms at the Telstra Dome.cite web|first=David|last=Whitley|title=Prime time: Aussie TV locations|url=http://travelaustralia.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=451070|publisher=ninemsn|date=2008-04-22|accessdate=2008-05-09]

Merchandise

The legal "Underbelly" DVD was released 8 May 2008, a day after the final episode was aired on television; it is distributed by Roadshow Entertainment. As per the legal suppression, the release may not be distributed through any retail or rental outlets in Victoria or on the internet. Roadshow Entertainment has confirmed that all box sets and point of sale displays will carry a sticker or stamp reminding buyers the series is not for sale, distribution or exhibition in Victoria. The box set has a recommended retail price of $69.95, with advance orders selling all 60,000 produced boxed sets, and an extra 20,000 now in production to meet demand. Legal experts said Victorians who bought the box set interstate and watched it themselves at home would likely not fall foul of the law, but anyone who showed it more widely could be charged with contempt.cite web|first=Michelle|last=Pountney|title=Extraordinary security for "Underbelly" DVD in Victoria|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23651807-5007132,00.html|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|date=2008-05-06|accessdate=2008-05-06] The DVD has sold 265,000 copies around Australia. The "Underbelly soundtrack" was released on 29 March 2008, both as a CD and online. It features elements of the score by Burkhard Dallwitz in addition to the tracks that were featured in the series. [cite web |url=http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=4394 |title=Undercover – Banned "Underbelly" Has An Unbanned Soundtrack |accessdate=2008-06-12 |author=Cashmere, Paul|date=2008-03-29|publisher=Undercover.com.au]

Prequel

An "Underbelly" prequel of 13 episodes will involve most of the cast from the first season, but will have a heavy focus on Vince Colosimo's character, Alphonse Gangitano. It will converge on building the background of the characters, and will show their involvement in the Melbourne underworld before the arrest of Carl Williams in 2004. [cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24064182-5003422,00.html |title="Underbelly" Prequel Announced by Channel 9 |accessdate=2008-08-02|date=2008-07-23 |publisher="Herald Sun"] Greg Haddrick, one of the main writers of "Underbelly", has begun work on the second season, which is expected to begin filming in September and screen early in 2009. [cite web |url=http://www.northshoretimes.com.au/article/2008/07/16/4181_stepping_out.html |title="Underbelly" Man Tells of New Crime Series |accessdate=2008-08-02 |author=Falkenmire, Ben|date=2008-07-16 |publisher="North Shore Times"]

ynopsis

"Underbelly" is a fictionalised account of the events behind the Melbourne gangland war that lasted from 1995 until 2004. In the first episode, the Carlton Crew crime syndicate is introduced, comprising stand-over man Alphonse Gangitano (Vince Colosimo), Domenic "Mick" Gatto (Simon Westaway), loanshark Mario Condello (Martin Sacks), retired bank robber Graham Kinniburgh (Gerard Kennedy), and drug-dealing siblings Jason and Mark Moran (Les Hill and Callan Mulvey) and their father Lewis (Kevin Harrington). Jason Moran's seemingly harmless and half-witted driver Carl Williams (Gyton Grantley) is also introduced, along with two police characters, Steve Owen (Rodger Corser) and Jacqui James (Caroline Craig), the most prominent members of Task Force Purana. Gangitano, the self-styled "Black Prince of Lygon Street", kills a man at a party over a small debt, and using fear convinces key witnesses to flee the country. With Jason Moran's assistance, he attends an inner city nightclub and injures 13 innocent people.

Alphonse pleads guilty in his assault case over the bashings. His associates intimidate the witnesses, frustrating Detective Owen in his attempt to convict Jason. Alphonse's attempts at redemption are cut short when Jason murders him. With Kinniburgh the only witness, the killing goes unsolved. The Moran brothers buy a pill press from a bikie gang and employ Carl Williams to produce their drugs. Carl secretly begins making his own supply and forms an alliance with Moran rival Tony Mokbel (Robert Mammone). Carl's cheap drugs throw the city's trade into chaos. Drug dealer Dino Dibra's (Daniel Amalm) attempts to extort both the Morans and their rival Nik "The Russian" Radev (Don Hany) as the drug money dries up, but the plan goes wrong when he kidnaps a junkie no one wants to pay the ransom for. When Carl is busted by the police during a routine search, Jason and Mark discover his double-cross and Jason shoots him in the stomach, leaving him severely wounded and demanding $80,000 retribution. Meanwhile, Detective Owen convinces a Swazi national to testify in Jason's assault case, allowing them to put him behind bars.

With Jason in prison, Mark Moran takes over the drug business, selling Tony Mokbel out to a corrupt officer from the drug squad. Carl asks Dino Dibra to kill Mark, but Dibra refuses and instead teaches him how to do the job himself with assistance from another thug, L (Ian Bliss). Carl kills Mark outside his home and, with L's help, establishes an alibi that Owen and James are unable to discredit. Lewis Moran hires Mick Gatto's associate, the charismatic thug Andrew "Benji" Veniamin (Damian Walshe-Howling), to avenge his stepson, believing the killer to be Dibra. As Dibra is a lifelong friend, Benji hesitates until Dino appears to incriminates himself. Benji then shoots him to death in the driveway of his home. After Tony Mokbel is viciously beaten in a confrontation Gatto does nothing to prevent, however, Benji offers his services to Carl, soon becoming his number one hired gun, bodyguard and friend. Carl is eventually jailed for offenses relating to his use of the Moran's drug press, forcing his foul-mouthed and domineering wife Roberta (Kat Stewart) to run the business. Rival dealer Paul Kallipolitis successfully extorts money from her but makes the mistake of betraying his old friend Benji, who then murders him. The Purana detectives are unsure of Benji's identity, however, through a listening device in the Williams' home, they learns it when Benji and Roberta begin an affair.

Under financial pressure caused by the Williams' trade, Carlton Crew loanshark Mario Condello begins calling in his debts. After Carl is released from jail, Jason Moran is given special parole conditions to allow him to move to London and be safe from harm. Nik Radev becomes a liability and Carl has him murdered by Benji and T. (Alex Dimitriades), a friend from prison. When his young neighbour falls foul of Condello and kills himself in shame, Carl becomes even more determined to wipe out his rivals. Soon afterward, Jason returns from London. Concerned for his safety, Lewis offers to take over the day to day running of the business but is arrested almost immediately during a bust. With Benji now under constant police observation, Carl offers the contract to L. and T. In a city park in front of his children, Jason and his minder are executed. With both his most hated enemies now gone, Carl goes to further lengths to safeguard his position, but makes a mistake when he orders a hit on small-time dealer Willie Thompson, who turns out to be lifetime friend of Tony Mokbel. Tony blames another small time dealer Michael Marshall for the crime however, and asks Carl to take care of it. Carl's hitmen L. and T. shoot Marshall in the street while under police surveillance and are immediately arrested. While the police are unable to pin the killing on Carl, he now comes under intense pressure and on a radio interview with Derryn Hinch accuses Steve Owen of corruption.

Meanwhile, Graham Kinniburgh and Mick Gatto fear for each other's safety. When Kinniburgh is murdered, Gatto immediately suspects Benji, not realising that the level of surveillance on him by the police precludes him from any involvement. Carl agrees to end the violence but calls Benji's loyalty into question when his friend refuses to kill Gatto. Gatto calls Benji to a meeting in a city pizza restaurant he uses as an office. Their other associates including Benji's friend, small-time criminal Lewis Caine (Marcus Graham), hear an argument followed by two shots. Gatto reappears, announcing that he has just killed Benji. Gatto is arrested on the scene. Roberta Williams goes to pieces. During a wake for Benji, a new thug (Kym Gyngell) claims to be an old friend of the hitman and offers to team up with Carl. In reality, his motive is to further split the factions and take over himself. A few days later he kills Lewis Moran in a crowded bar. Meanwhile, consumed by revenge at Benji's death, Lewis Caine pushes Carl to take out a contract on Mario Condello, the only member of the Carlton Crew now left alive and out of jail. But as Caine moves on Condello, his double-crossing accomplices murder him instead and are arrested a short time later due to their own incompetence. Carl continues to make plans against Condello. An attempt by Detective Owen to convince Condello to leave the country fails, but in the meantime Detective James leans on Carl's jailed associates to testify against him, finally leading to his arrest. The series wraps with Owen and the Purana Taskforce closing on Carl and Roberta at a family barbecue. A voice-over, performed by Caroline Craig as Jacqui James, reveals that Mick Gatto is eventually acquitted for the killing of Andrew Veniamin by reason of self defence and that Mario Condello is later killed while awaiting trial on attempted murder charges.

Cast

The Nine Network claims "Underbelly" has the biggest all star cast on Australian TV.cite web|title=The Cast|url=http://www.underbellytv.com/the_cast.htm|publisher=ninemsn|accessdate=2008-03-10] The main cast is as follows:cite web|title=Main Cast|url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/underbelly/index.html|publisher="australiantelevision.net"|date=|accessdate=2008-05-11]

Marketing

The Nine Network spent more than fifteen million dollars producing and promoting "Underbelly".cite web|first=Marcus |last=Casey|title=Nine reels from "Underbelly" ban|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23203587-5005941,00.html|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|date=2008-02-13|accessdate=2008-07-02] The lead-up resulted in a heavy marketing campaign which covered radio, print, billboards and an increased online presence, including the use of social networking tools.cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title="Underbelly" site launches|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/01/underbelly-site-launches.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2008-01-15|accessdate=2008-01-30] When the CEO of the Nine Network, David Gyngell noted the need to up its online presence, and embrace social networking as a valuable marketing tool,cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title=Putting the Heart back into Nine|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/11/putting-heart-back-into-nine.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2007-11-30|accessdate=2008-01-30] the [http://www.underbellytv.com/ official website] was launched. The original website was launched on 15 January 2008, with only a 3-minute trailer; while the full site, with all its features, launched on 1 February 2008.cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title=Launch: "Underbelly"|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/01/launch-underbelly.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2008-01-31|accessdate=2008-01-31] It was announced that the full first episode would be available for download on the site on 10 February, three days before the show premieres on television,cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title=Show Watch: "Underbelly"|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/02/show-watch-underbelly.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2008-02-01|accessdate=2008-02-01] but this option was made unavailable due to the Supreme court suppression case. [cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/02/downloads-key-in-underbelly-case.html|title=Downloads a key in "Underbelly" case|author=David Knox|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2008-02-09|accessdate=2008-03-10] This intention follows a similar strategy used for the launch of "Sea Patrol" in 2007. The site was "poised to become" the biggest and most detailed website the Nine Network has hosted for a show so far, including features such as behind the scenes footage, profiles, visitor interactivity and the use of social networking tools. Due to the court injunction, the Nine Network was ordered to remove character profiles from its official website in Victoria.

According to its marketing, "Underbelly" "uses the framework of the murderous war between the two gangs, and the bigger moral war between the gangs and the Purana Task Force, to explore a complex array of individual stories and relationships—some touching, some incredible, all breathtaking—it is a mini-series that examines the kaleidoscopic nature of loyalty, love, revenge and pride when the normal and identifiable emotions of human attachment are moved from the context of social decency to social indecency."

International distribution

"Underbelly" began airing in New Zealand on TV3 on Sunday at 9.30 pm,cite web|url=http://www.ffc.gov.au/projects/2007/ffc_content_projects_adult.asp?print=yes|title=Projects 2006/2007 – Adult Television Drama |publisher=Film Finance Corporation Australia Ltd|accessdate=2008-03-08] but the network put the series on hiatus after three episodes because it was "not performing as expected in the time slot". [cite web|title=Aussie gangster show "Underbelly" pulled|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4481284a1860.html|date=2008-04-15|publisher=stuff.co.nz|accessdate=2008-05-06] Due to a public outcry, TV3 reversed their decision 48 hours later, saying it was "bowing to the pressure of angry fans". [cite web|title=Network flips on "Underbelly" "flop"|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/btvb-network-flips-on-underbelly-flop/2008/04/16/1208025281561.html|date=2008-04-17|publisher="The Age"|accessdate=2008-04-26] TV3 reinstated the series in its old timeslot, but rescheduled it to 11:15 on Tuesday evenings just weeks later. TV3 senior publicist Nicole Wood said the show had failed to win new viewers in the Sunday slot, and even though they were "inundated with fans" when they took it off air, it "still didn't rate" on its second showing. [cite web|last=Gibson|first=Eloise|title=Gang drama 'Underbelly' shunted into late time slot|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10509721|date=2008-05-13|publisher="The New Zealand Herald"|accessdate=2008-06-05] The series will also air on FX in the United Kingdom, [cite web|url=http://www.tvscoop.tv/2008/06/fx_bags_notorio.html|title=FX Bags Notorious Australian Drama "Underbelly"|date=2008-06-16|author=Hirons, Paul|publisher=tvscoop.tv|accessdate=2008-06-16] Fox in Germany, [cite web |url=http://www.wunschliste.de/index.pl?news&newsid=3772 |title=Fox Channel - Das Programm im Herbst |accessdate=2008-10-11 |author=Brandes, Michael |date=September 27, 2008 |publisher=Fox Broadcasting Company] Scandinavia, Canada and France. [cite web|first=Michael|last=Idato|title=The Age: Networking|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/networking/2008/02/27/1203788419080.html|publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-28|accessdate=2008-02-28]

Reception

Critical response

The first episode of the series was screened privately to media on 17 January 2008, prior the media had been treated with extracts and trailers promoting the series. On 3 January 2008, "The Sydney Morning Herald's" critic Michael Idato declared the series "The Blue Murder of its time", referring to the critically acclaimed 1995 ABC TV drama "Blue Murder", considered by many to be the finest crime drama ever produced in Australia.cite web|first=Michael|last=Idato|title=Pick and mix|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/future-viewing/2008/01/02/1198949880744.html|publisher="The Sydney Morning Herald"|date=2008-01-03|accessdate=2008-01-30] In a review on his blog on 17 January 2008, David Knox, stated that "Underbelly" "is our own Sopranos", and awarded it 4.5 out of 5. He also commented "If there are any criticisms to be found with "Underbelly", they are few. One or two shots give away that period Melbourne was actually shot in 2007. And while watching these gangsters thrive on power with ballsy disdain, it was hard not to think of the behaviour of some television executives in recent history. This aside, "Underbelly" looks set to be one of the highlights of the 2008 television year." [cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title=First Review: "Underbelly"|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/01/first-review-underbelly.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2008-01-17|accessdate=2008-01-31] A review appeared in the "Herald Sun" on 18 January 2008, in which critic Paul Anderson quoted: "Whether you followed the Melbourne gangland war or not, there's a fair chance you will be blown away by the coming TV series "Underbelly". [It] is a slick, violent and sexually charged dramatisation backed by a ripping soundtrack." [cite web|first=Paul|last=Anderson|title=The gang's all here in "Underbelly"|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23069427-2862,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-01-18|accessdate=2008-01-31] In an article appearing on 31 January 2008, "The Daily Telegraph's" TV editor, Marcus Casey, said of "Underbelly" after viewing the first four episodes: "If the quality is maintained then, while not perfect, "Underbelly" should equal, if not better, Australia's best ever crime dramas - the "Phoenix series" and "Blue Murder"."cite web|first=Marcus|last=Casey|title=Butterflies in the "Underbelly" for gang show on Channel Nine|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23132962-5006009,00.html|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|date=2008-01-31|accessdate=2008-02-01]

Family Groups reaction

On 11 February 2008 the Australian Family Association (AFA), was publicly outraged that "Underbelly" would be screening at 8:30 pm, well within reach of children, after clips of the series were leaked onto the internet. The clips highlighted the use of extreme profanities, and scenes that show a violent bashing, a cold-blooded murder, and a sexual encounter. The Nine Network defended the timeslot and the M classification, saying the clips, leaked from the Network's production department, were indeed from the series, but not all of them made the final cut. The Network set its own classification, under the accepted rules of the Australian Commercial Television Code of Conduct. The Australian Family Association threatened to take the matter to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy if the content of the show was anything near that of an unauthorised promotional clip leaked from Nine's production department.cite web|title=Judge New underworld drama "Underbelly" sparks outrage|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23200264-2902,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-02-12|accessdate=2008-02-12]

Ratings

The opening double episodes, which aired on 13 February, attracted an average of 1,320,000 viewers nationally, minus Victoria, making it the third most-watched show of the night.cite web|first=Daniel|last=Ziffer|title="Underbelly" Wins Ratings War|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/controversial-underbelly-tops-ratings/2008/02/14/1202760445201.html|publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-14|accessdate=2008-07-02] In Victoria alone, the series was expected to attract 800,000 to 1 million viewers,cite web|title=Channel 9 scramble to replace gaps left by "Underbelly"|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23206544-2902,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-02-13|accessdate=2008-02-14] which would have put "Underbelly" figures over the 2 million mark. The replacement movie for "Underbelly" in Victoria, "The Shawshank Redemption", managed only 271,000 viewers. The third episode, which aired on 20 February, managed to hold most of its viewers from its premiere, attracting 1,273,000 viewers nationally, a decline of only 50,000 viewers. The fourth episode, which aired on 27 February, managed to hold nearly all of its viewers from the previous episode, attracting 1,250,000 viewers nationally, a decline of only 23,000 viewers. Though leaked copies of episodes one through to thirteen became available online, the show continued to attract huge television audiences, according to "The West Australian".cite web|title=Leaked copies haven’t hurt "Underbelly" ratings|url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=24&ContentID=60649|publisher="The West Australian"|date=2008-02-28|accessdate=2008-03-15]

Legal issues

upreme Court writ threat

George Defteros, a high-profile lawyer cleared of charges relating to underworld war, disrupted the lead-up to the series' launch, when he threatened the Nine Network with a Supreme Court writ on 26 January 2008. Defteros, said to be portrayed by George Kapiniaris, engaged a top Melbourne defamation specialist, saying:

Nine Network had subsequently said there would now be no direct reference to Mr Defteros, despite earlier publicity. A spokeswoman for the network said "There is no lawyer called Defteros in "Underbelly", but Defteros said he could still be defamed by implication, noting "it's already been advertised as me". The case was dropped by Director of Public Prosecutions Paul Coghlan, QC, due to a lack of evidence.cite web|first=Warner|last=Michael|title=TV drama "Underbelly" under fire|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23110280-2862,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-01-26|accessdate=2008-02-07]

upreme Court Suppression

The screening of "Underbelly" in Victoria was put into jeopardy, after last-minute legal proceedings took place due to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jeremy Rapke, QC. Rapke secured an urgent viewing of the series, before he decided to seek an injunction stopping its broadcast in Victoria. A Supreme Court judge called prosecutors and defence lawyers together after serious concerns were raised about whether the show could prejudice the jury in the trial of Evangelos Goussis, who had pleaded not guilty to the 2004 gangland killing of Lewis Moran. Although Goussis was not named in the series, there were concerns the show could hurt his chance of a fair trial.cite web|first=Mark|last=Buttler|coauthors=Dunn, Mark|title="Underbelly" waits for DPP all-clear|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23171971-2862,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-02-07|accessdate=2008-02-07] cite web|title="Underbelly" under Supreme Court scrutiny|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=373402|publisher=ninemsn|date=2008-02-07|accessdate=2008-02-07]

The Supreme Court hearing took place on 11 February 2008 - only two days before the series was due to premiere. The Nine Network was ordered by a DPP subpoena to hand over tapes of all 13 episodes, as well as outlines and story lines, to the Victorian Supreme Court by 10 am on that date.cite web|title=Grave doubts over 'Underbelly': court|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/doubts-over-tvs-underbelly-court/2008/02/07/1202234066611.html|publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-07|accessdate=2008-02-08] cite web|title=Nine told to hand over "Underbelly" tapes|url=http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/02/07/Nine_told_to_hand_over_Underbelly_tapes|publisher=LIVENEWS.com.au|date=2008-02-07|accessdate=2008-02-08] The Nine Network, refused to voluntarily hand over the tapes, saying they were incomplete and that the network's lawyers were closely supervising production but it was willing to comply with any Court order and took the matter very seriously. The Network was also adamant that the series makes no assertions about the guilt of the accused killer. At the hearing, which took place at the Geelong Supreme Court, Justice Betty King gave prosecution and defence lawyers 24 hours to view the series and return to court the following day to decide whether it had the potential to affect the forthcoming trial. cite news | last = Fogarty | first = Daniel | date = 11 February 2008 | title = "Underbelly" Victorian premiere still uncertain | work = AAP News ] Justice King issued a suppression order on 12 February banning the Nine Network from broadcasting the series in the state of Victoria and on the internet indefinitely, until after the murder trial was completed.cite web|title=Nine Challenges "Underbelly" Ban|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/judge-bans-underbelly/2008/02/12/1202760255184.html|author=Butcher, Steve |publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-12|accessdate=2008-02-12] The Nine Network offered to air a heavily edited version in Victoria, but the offer was rejected by Justice King. It was initially planned that an alternative program, "Underbelly: A Special Announcement", was going to air in Victoria instead of the series' premiere, which was to discuss what the series is about.cite web|first=Emily|last=Power|title=Judge bans "Underbelly" TV drama indefinitely|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23200376-661,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-02-12|accessdate=2008-02-12] This idea was scrapped, and the movie, "The Shawshank Redemption", was aired in Victoria instead. The Nine Network declared their intention to appeal against the decision, and Network lawyers stated that they would exercise all legal options.

The suppression also affected national audiences receiving transmissions from Imparja Television, a Nine Network affiliate. Imparja is disallowed to supply its interstate audiences with "Underbelly", due to its single satellite signal broadcasts into its specific regions, but also transmits into some parts of Victoria, which is covered by the suppression order. Alternative programming was to be shown until the restriction was lifted.cite web|first=Sharp|last=Ari|coauthors=Ziffer, Daniel|title=Pirate screening exposed|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/pirate-underbelly-screening-exposed/2008/02/13/1202760398840.html|publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-14|accessdate=2008-05-31]

The appeal began on 29 February 2008 in the Victorian Court of Appeal, where Nine Network lawyers argued that the network should be allowed to broadcast the first three episodes of the series, saying Justice King had "erred" in her decision to suppress the series, as she had viewed the unedited versions of the series, and not the final edited cut that was to be shown to audiences. The network believed the first three episodes, which depicted events from the beginning of the underworld war in 1995, would have no potential to prejudice any part of the trial.cite news | last = Markham | first = Shelley | date = 29 February 2008 | title = Dramatic parallel in Nine crime series, court hears | work = AAP News ] The trial was due to begin on 31 March 2008. The judges overseeing the appeal retired to decide their verdict on 3 March 2008.cite news | last = Rout | first = Milanda | date = 4 March 2008 | title = Nine vows not to air Belly during trial | work = The Australian ] The appeal's verdict was handed down on 26 March 2008 where the appeal's judges chose to continue a ruling by Justice King that the series is not to be broadcast or distributed in or out of Victoria. During the appeal the Nine Network had proposed to screen the first three episodes immediately after any successful appeal, and would give the court seven days written notice of its intention to show any further episodes that it believed would not prejudice the murder trial. The Court of Appeal had dismissed the network's application to appeal, and the network was compelled to comply with the suppression order issued by Justice King until the offending trial was complete.cite news | last = Power | first = Emily | date = 27 March 2008 | title = Screen it and I'll act — DPP | work = Herald Sun ]

The ban expired the week ending 30 May 2008, with the conviction of Goussis for the murder of Lewis Moran, paving the way for Nine to begin screening episodes; cite web|first=Emily|last=Power|title=Channel Nine handed "Underbelly" legal bill |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23847051-2862,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-06-11|accessdate=2008-06-11] however, Andrew Rule, who co-wrote the book on which the series is based, says "Underbelly" will not be seen in Victoria anytime soon, saying "the problem now will be that Tony Mokbel is back in Australia and ready to stand trial on very serious charges. That will effectively prevent the series being screened in Victoria until that trial is held ... That could be some time. I'm not sure about several [years] , but it might be two years."cite web|first=ABC|last=News|title=Victorians unlikely to see "Underbelly" soon |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/30/2260266.htm?section=entertainment|publisher=abc.net.au|date=2008-05-30|accessdate=2008-06-11] However, "Underbelly" was legally shown in Victoria in September, 2008, after a court ruled that the network could air the first five episodes. Supreme Court Justice Peter Vickery gave the network permission to air the specially edited episodes, but said screening the sixth episode could prejudice the upcoming trials of an accused criminal.cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24311017-2702,00.html |title=Edited "Underbelly" episodes to air in Victoria |accessdate=2008-09-14 |author=Rout, Milanda |date=8 September 2008 |publisher="The Australian"] The edited versions had whole scenes cut out, and one character's face was pixelated. Reactions from viewers were not favourable, mainly because most had already seen the entire series.cite web|first=Jane|last=Metlikovec|title="Underbelly" gets panned in home state |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24346419-5006785,00.html|publisher="The Australian"|date=15 September 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-19]

Illegal distribution

Despite the ban on broadcasting the series in Victoria, Victorians were still been able to access episodes via illegal online distribution. The first episode was made available on torrent sites within 20 minutes of it concluding in New South Wales. The Nine Network reportedly obtained the ISP address of the first person to upload the show, and network lawyers were considering legal action. The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) was investigating the matter, and was expected to make a list of recommendations to Victoria Police.cite news|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=379647|title='Underbelly' pirates could be tracked down|author=Henri Paget|publisher=ninemsn|date=2008-02-14|accessdate=2008-03-01] Fears of inside leaks were aroused when advance screener versions of the first eight episodes were posted online.cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/bleakedb-headache-for-nine-as-new-underbelly-episodes-hit-net/2008/02/27/1203788391828.html | title=Advance "Underbelly" episodes hit the internet|author=Tadros, Edmund |publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-27|accessdate=2008-07-02]

Every episode of the 13-part series was soon available for download on a range of sites. It was reported that on mininova.org more than 3,000 users were attempting to download episode seven late on the afternoon of 27 February 2008. The Nine Network said it was considering legal action, and was looking into how copies got into the hands of underworld figures in Victoria, including Roberta Williams, the former wife of gangland kingpin Carl Williams.cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23285426-5014239,00.html|title=Advance copies of "Underbelly" leaked online|author=Katherine Field|publisher=News Limited|date=2008-02-27|accessdate=2008-02-29] Unauthorised copies of the entire series were also made available to the public. People were offered a 4-disc DVD set for between AUD $10 and $80 in public places such as carparks and building sites. The episodes were commercial-free and came with introductory station countdowns, suggesting a major leak from inside the network's production department.cite web|first=Dan|last=Ziffer|title="The Age" Blogs: Entertainment – Illegal "Underbelly" DVDs Firing Up|url=http://blogs.theage.com.au/entertainment/archives/2008/02/illegal_underbe.html|publisher="The Age"|date=2008-02-21|accessdate=2008-06-02]

Two network employees had been questioned by the network over the matter, but both denied distributing any copies of the series.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23256888-10388,00.html|title=Nine probes "Underbelly" leaks|author=Dowsley, Anthony|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-02-22|accessdate=2008-07-02] Pirated DVDs containing the first nine episodes of "Underbelly" were seized in a raid by police on a business in Melbourne's western suburbs on 11 March 2008. As well as facing serious copyright charges, the 41-year-old man arrested with connections with to the piracy set-up will also risk prosecution for breaching the court suppression order banning broadcast of the program in Victoria. Along with the "Underbelly" DVDs, more than 7000 other pirated DVDs were uncovered, as well as eight printers and 70 new DVD burners. The piracy ring contained several members, some of which had been arrested for offences in recent months.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23356682-661,00.html|title="Underbelly" DVDs seized in raids|author=Mark Buttler|publisher="Herald Sun"|date=2008-03-11|accessdate=2008-05-16]

ee also

* List of Australian television series
* Melbourne gangland killings

References

External links

* [http://www.australiantelevision.net/underbelly/index.html "Underbelly"] at the Australian Television Information Archive
* [http://tviv.org/Underbelly "Underbelly"] at The TV IV
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119176/ "underbelly"] on IMDB