First it was Eric Bana, now Aaron Jeffery has made an extraordinary transformation to play Chopper Read in new telemovie
THE legend of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read lives on with former McLeod’s Daughters pin-up Aaron Jeffery making a stunning transformation into the underworld figure.
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- Vince Colosimo returns to ‘Underbelly’ amid real-life drug-driving allegations
- From Wentworth to Chopper: Jeffery to take on Chopper Read role for Nine
MAD, bad and back in front of the cameras: the legend of Mark ‘Chopper’ Read lives on with former McLeod’s Daughters pin-up Aaron Jeffery making a stunning transformation into the heavily tattooed, earless, colourful Melbourne underworld figure.
These exclusive images from the set of Underbelly Files: Chopper show an unrecognisable Jeffery in full flight as Read.
Like Eric Bana before him, Jeffery has transformed himself physically, bulking up considerably to play the tough and feared and fearsome crime figure.
Underbelly Files: Chopper is about three weeks into filming at various locations around Melbourne.
The two-part mini-series, the latest offering from Channel Nine in the Underbelly franchise, will explore the dilemma faced by Read to reconcile his two competing
identities – Chopper, the colourful underworld figure, and Mark Brandon Read, the man who craved a quiet life far from the public arena.
Troubled actor Vince Colosimo is returning to the Underbelly series to reprise his famed turn as gangland figure Alphonse Gangitano, alongside a cast that includes
Michael Caton as Read’s father Keith, Todd Lasance as Syd Collins, Ella Scott Lynch, as Read’s second wife Margaret, Zoe Ventoura as Read’s first wife Mary Ann, Kevin Harrington as Lewis Moran, Debra Byrne as Judy Moran, along with Jane Allsop, Reef Ireland, Alex Tsitsopoulos and Anna Bamford.
Read died in Melbourne in April 2013 following a long battle with liver cancer. After spending a total of 23 years in jail Read had transformed himself into an author and artist.
Bana launched his Hollywood career off his star turn as Read in the film, Chopper, which was released in 2000.
Underbelly Files: Chopper will air on Nine next year.
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