Dark Horizons is reporting that Aaron Jeffery (Wentworth, McLeod’s Daughters) is set to play the famed Australian criminal and author Mark ‘Chopper’ Read in the new TV miniseries Underbelly Files: Chopper. He will be joined in the cast by Michael Caton (Homicide, The Castle) as Chopper’s father Keith.
“Chopper” Reid was one of Australia’s most notorious gangsters, and cut a swathe through the nation’s criminal underworld in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. He gained international recognition in 2000 with the success of Andrew Dominik’s film Chopper, which starred Eric Bana in the title role.
“Underbelly redefined Australian drama when it first exploded onto our screens in 2008,” said Nine Network co-heads of drama Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney. “Now after a four-year break, it’s back with the riveting untold story of Australia’s most notorious and audacious gangster. This is “Chopper” as you’ve never seen him before, and who better to portray this larger-than-life criminal than multiple Logie and AACTA-award-winner Aaron Jeffery, with the outstanding Michael Caton as his father, Keith.”