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Underbelly prequel announced by Channel 9

CHANNEL 9 has officially given the green light to the hugely anticipated Underbelly prequel. An announcement was made in Sydney last night.

CEO David Gyngell made the announcement at a network presentation to media buyers and advertisers and will do the same in Melbourne tonight.

The media-shy boss said that he was "really excited" about the 13-episode series, scheduled to begin production in September.

"The best television drama always warrants a second season and Underbelly is no exception," he said. "It was the best television many of us have seen in a very long time."

Involving most of the stellar cast from the first gangland epic series - with a heavy focus on Vince Colosimo's character, Alphonse Gangitano - the prequel will converge on building the background to the colourful characters.

And it will show their involvement in the Melbourne underworld before the arrest of Carl Williams in 2004.

Already positioned as Nine's linchpin in next year's ratings war, Gyngell is backing the gritty production with full force.

"It was compulsive viewing this year and we aim to make it compelling in 2009. We'll have the production team and cast to do just that," he said.

The series brought fame to Kat Stewart, who played Roberta Williams, and Gyton Grantley who played her drug-running husband Williams.

July 23, 2008
Herald Sun