australian television information archive

Underbelly comes to town

KNOWN as Mr Rent-A-Kill, Christopher Dale Flannery is about to re-enter a new era in Australia's popular culture.

Flannery disappeared in 1985 accompanied by much lurid speculation played out in the newspapers and current affairs television programs of the day.

But, last week, the handsome hitman portrayed by actor Dustin Clare was back drinking with fellow colourful and equally departed criminals Alphonso Gangitano (Elan Zavelsky) and Brian Kane (Tim McCunn) at the Alexandria Hotel in Sydney.

It can only mean one thing: the next Underbelly television series is back in full production for screening next year.

Underbelly: A Tale Of Two Cities is widening its focus from Melbourne and will explore the criminal machinations of Sydney.

Alexandria Hotel publican Darren (Harry) McAsey, a former Sydney Swans player, said the history of the hotel gave filming an air of authenticity.

"When I first came here six years ago the pub used to be pretty rough. You could get anything here - except peace," he said.

"However, the area has undergone a massive makeover and the advent of the Australian Technology Park has seen a massive shift in clientele."

Ironically, the untouched internal fitout of the pub is being used to portray a Collingwood hotel of the 1980s, complete with Magpies' supporters paraphernalia.

"Some friends have been giving me some stick about the Collingwood stuff, but that's OK. I would like to have them filming here every day," Mr McAsey said.

"Its a great reminder of my youth in Melbourne. I went to school and played footy and went to school with Mark Moran [one of the criminals portrayed in the first Underbelly series]."

Clare said he was aware that portraying Flannery could revive ill feeling in Sydney and beyond.

Flannery survived an attempt on his life in January 1985 but vanished in May that year after telling his wife Kathleen he was going to visit underworld boss George Freeman.

A $1 million inquest found in June 1997 that Flannery died most likely at the hand of someone he trusted.

Coroner Greg Glass said disgraced detective Roger Rogerson was involved in the death or knew who killed him but there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

Channel Nine is coy about the involvement of Flannery's wife and other criminals and their loved ones in the series, hoping to avoid legal challenges that originally stopped Underbelly from being screened in Victoria.

One thing the station is encouraging is speculation that the gangland drama will feature more nudity and sexual references than the first series.

Asked about any nervousness getting his kit off before the cameras, Clare drolly paused before replying.

"Well, I came straight from the filming of Satisfaction where I was playing a gigolo, so I should be all right."

By Heath Gilmore
December 21, 2008
The Sun-Herald