The production team behind Underbelly is returning to Nine with the untold, uncut story of Mark “Chopper” Read.
Award-winning actor Aaron Jeffery, winner of two Logies, will play the Chopper. Australian film and television legend and two-time Logie Award-winner Michael Caton will play Chopper’s father, Keith.
New Zealand-born Jeffery is best known for roles in hit Australian dramas Wentworth, McLeod’s Daughters and Water Rats as well as Kiwi drama Outrageous Fortune. Jeffery is no stranger to the Underbelly series after portraying Frank “Tink” O’Rourke in Underbelly: Badness and Geoff Leyland in Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away.
Caton has starred in some of Australia’s most successful television productions during his 48-year career. He became a household name in the 70s for roles in The Sullivans, Cop Shop and Homicide. Caton’s portrayal of the loveable Darryl Kerrigan in the cult feature film The Castle made him an Australian hero.
“Underbelly redefined Australian drama when it first exploded onto our screens in 2008,” said Nine Network co-heads of drama Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney.
“Now after a four-year break, it’s back with the riveting untold story of Australia’s most notorious and audacious gangster. This is Chopper as you’ve never seen him before, and who better to portray this larger-than-life criminal than multiple Logie and AACTA award-winner Aaron Jeffery, with the outstanding Michael Caton as his father Keith?”
Underbelly Files: Chopper will be produced by the makers of Underbelly, Screentime, for Nine.
Production of the miniseries starts in Melbourne in July.