Kiwi-based Underbelly to give local Mr Asia drug story
The six episodes of the popular Australian TV series will cover the Marty Johnstone story in New Zealand.
A Kiwi version of Australian drug crime series Underbelly will revisit the Mr Asia saga with local angles in a new TV production.
Underbelly NZ, written by John Banas, has been given $3.9 million from NZ On Air’s Platinum Fund for six one-hour episodes for screening on TV3.
NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson says the $15.1 million fund was created last year to stimulate new high-quality local programmes.
“Underbelly has been hugely successful here and internationally with its gripping stories and exceptional production values," she says.
“This instalment will be New Zealand-based and cover the Marty Johnstone story. It was a dramatic part of New Zealand’s history – in some ways the end of innocence for us and our police force.”
Other funding is for a drama about the events of the 1981 Springbok Tour and a biopic of comedian Billy T James.
Tom Scott's Rage will receive $2.8 million for the two-hour film about the rugby protests, while Billy, written by Briar Grace Smith, will receive $2.4 million. Both will screen on TV One.
Nevil Gibson
Tue, 21 Dec 2010
Tue, 21 Dec 2010
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Kiwi-based Underbelly to give local Mr Asia drug story
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