DirecTV has announced that it will launch Australian crime Drama trilogy “Underbelly” on DirecTV’s The 101 Network on February 10, 2010 at 10.00 PM. Based on true events, “Underbelly” is a gripping, gritty and shocking portrayal of the violent, drug fueled Australian underworld from 1970’s through the early 2000’s with each installments portraying a specific period in the country’s criminal history.
The trilogy’s first season begins with “Underbelly : A Tale of Two Cities” that tells the story of the Griffith drug trade in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. This season focuses mainly on the Mr. Asia drug syndicate and the two men who changed the face of organized crime in Australia based on events that stemmed from the evolution of the drug trade in Griffin, New South Wales and spanning almost two decades.
The second season “Underbelly : War on the streets” focuses on the story of the infamous Melbourne gangland killings between 1995 and 2004 which is one of the bloodiest crime wars in the western history. Police were forced to rely on unconventional tactics, highly sophisticated surveillance and fearless determination as drug wars escalated and public alarm grew.
The final season in Underbelly is “Underbelly : The Golden Mile” is a sequel to “A Tale of Two Cities” set in 1989. “The Golden Mile” is a story of the excess that resulted in the collapse of an empire, the chaos that followed and the ultimate victory of strong and honest police. Several of the season two are expected to return for the season three.
“Underbelly” is produced by the Australian Film finance corporation, in association with Film Victoria. Producers are Greg Hedrick and Brenda Pam and executive producers are Des Monaghan and Jo Horsburgh. “Underbelly” won six film institute awards including Best Drama series, Best Director, Best Lead Actress and Best lead Actor as well as two Australian Writers Guild Awards and three silver Logie Awards.
Eric Shanks, executive vice president of entertainment of DirecTV said, “In addition to the hit series we have acquired domestically, we have been searching the world for the best programming to bring to our customers. We immediately became fans of Underbelly and are thrilled to add it to The 101 Network’s line-up”.
Source: http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/article.jsp?assetId=P6300238
Dated: Sep 17, 2009.