Underbelly favourite Aaron Jeffery takes on hardman role of Chopper

GONE is the ghost of Eric Bana as one of Underbelly’s favourite sons takes the role of Chopper Read, in Channel 9’s new telemovie on the colourful Melbourne underworld figure.

THE colourful story of underworld crime figure Chopper Read will resurrect the famed Underbelly TV franchise, with filming set to start on a telemovie of his drama-filled life in Melbourne in July.

Wentworth star Aaron Jeffery has landed the much sought after role of Read.

Jeffery, a most assured and accomplished actor with credits including McLeod’s Daughters, Neighbours and Water Rats, has huge shoes to fill.

Aaron Jeffery with Wentworth co-stars Nicole da Silva and Danielle Cormack.

Read was most famously portrayed on screen in 2000 by Eric Bana in the film, Chopper.

That performance opened the door to Hollywood for the comedian turned actor.

Jeffery is something of a favourite of the Underbelly family having appeared in two previous instalments of the franchise playing two different characters — Underbelly: Badness and Underbelly Files: The Man Who Got Away.

The Castle’s Michael Caton has been cast as Read’s father Keith.

The real Chopper Read photographed in August 2005. Picture: Craig Borrow

Underbelly Files: Chopper will be produced by Screentime for Nine and promises to tell the “untold, uncut story” of Australia’s most notorious gangster from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Read passed away in October 2013.

“Underbelly redefined Australian drama when it first exploded onto screens in 2008. Now after a four year break, Underbelly is back with the riveting untold story of Australia’s most notorious and audacious gangster,” said Nine’s head of drama Andy Ryan.

“This is Chopper as you’ve never seen him before, and who better to portray the larger-than-life crim than multiple Logie and AACTA-award winner Aaron Jeffery, with the outstanding Michael Caton as his father Keith.”

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