Ricky Nixon to star as gangster in Squizzy Taylor TV series

Ricky Nixon will portray an amputee gangster in a Melbourne crime series centred on a prison feud involving notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor.

Former footy player agent Ricky Nixon is set to make his big screen debut as an amputee gangster in a Melbourne TV series.

Nixon has been recruited to star as gangster Thomas Moran in a series called Vendetta 19 by best-selling First Nations author Roy Maloy.

“I live a very different and colourful life,’’ Nixon said.

“When I was asked about this I spoke to a few friends and I thought it’s a challenge.”

Moran, known as “Tommy the Nut” and who is believed to have family links to the infamous Moran brothers of the 1990s, was a member of the Crutchy Push, a gang of men with missing limbs who struck fear into the people of Melbourne at the dawn of the 20th century.

The series will follow the Crutchy Push rivalry with notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor inside Pentridge Prison in 1908.

With half of his left leg missing from a young age, Tommy was sentenced to Pentridge a number of times for violent crimes.

Nixon will not only portray the truly depraved and blood thirsty amputee, but will also learn how to fight while standing on one leg, and while swinging a crutch like a martial arts weapon.

Ricky Nixon is training with a crutch for his acting debut as an amputee gangster.

Melbourne gangster Squizzy Taylor. Picture: Public Record Office Victoria.

Filming will commence in June with the pilot to air in Spring this year on social media platforms while discussions take place with streaming platforms.

Maloy has written 15 true crime biographies including the best-selling Squizzy, The Forensics, The Man, The Vendetta and 7246 Minnie.

“The difficulty of these roles is that the people who are seen with a leg missing are not using the usual kind of crutches we use today,’’ Maloy said.

“They are instead using a single beam crutch, rather than two. It’s an incredibly physically difficult role to play. Part of the audition process included asking Ricky to show his physical abilities, to be able to move in the very demanding ways he will need to in a fight scene, and to handle a crutch on one leg.

“I can honestly say that he is in incredible form, and was able to absolutely hold his own in a fight. He has never stopped training, and is in exceptional form for his age.”

Nixon will do all of his own stunts and fight scenes, and is now undergoing an extensive training regimen to prepare for the role.

Casting for the production continues.