Queensland will be the focus of a fourth Underbelly series, according to a report in today’s Courier Mail.
Fortitude Valley in the 1980s will be the backdrop to the series, although Nine has not confirmed a fourth series as yet.
The Fitzgerald Inquiry in 1987 focussed on the state’s corrupt police, which had itself emerged through reports in the Courier Mail. It eventually played a part in the downfall of the Bjelke-Petersen government (which in turn was referenced via the ABC drama Joh’s Jury). It also exposed Gerry Bellino, was accused of running a multimillion-dollar empire of illegal brothels and gambling dens. He was later jailed for nearly seven years for bribing police.
Former police commissioner Terry Lewis and government MP Don Lane were also jailed following the Inquiry.
A fourth series would follow the first Underbelly set in Victoria, the second in New South Wales / Victoria and the third in New South Wales.
Source: Courier Mail
i reakon it should be based on the bikey trouble is in oz
***Tha Cross Roads***
Did anyone die during this period? If not how can they make a series of just corrupt police?
Any TV production in QLD is good. The Strip was unfortunate but gave work to many QLD Actors who don’t get much of a chance as most are produced down south. Now all we need is to leave the southern Actors where they are and utilise some of the many talented Actors Qld has to offer.
The hype over Underbelly has unfortunately brainwashed us all into thinking its brilliant. I tried watching the first season and I was put off by it.
i think it would be wonderful for the corruption of the joh era to be the focus – the young generation of queenslanders needs to know about this dark period in queensland
Lets just say the fourth installment, could write it’s own book. After all, there were some crazy things that happened in the 80′s in Queensland that circulated around Joh (white shoe brigade, run ins with unions etc.), hopefully it doesn’t focus only on the “Sin Triangle”.
Nooooooo!
Underbelly is a bit like the Chaser – living off past hype and efforts. Eventually after a number of ordinary episodes, viewers will catch on and realise its time is over.
The last Queensland based cop drama nine produced was The Strip. Please for the love of god let Under Belly 4 be better than that load of crap.
Wasn’t the fourth meant to bridge the gap between seasons three and one?
In any case, I think that time period is rife with stories for an Underbelly.
I just hope season three is better than two, which was woeful at best.
Underbelly is not really a Great show Season 1 was good entertainment Season 2 was horrible and way over-hyped and the reviews don’t come close to matching that quality that was onscreen – critics must’ve received a completely different version to that one put up on TV. Its a pretentious show with lots of sex and drugs…not that there’s anything wrong with that.
And isn’t the whole “corrupt” government storyline getting boring?
It’s becoming a bad case of Bali belly…
I think it should end after the 3rd Underbelly the novelty would of worn off if it hasn’t already.
And Nine will hype the hell out of it, and the idiots will get sucked in, and the ratings will go through the roof, and the Logies will go gaga despite the terrible script and acting, and it will win 10 Logies. Meh
I am not sure of the extent of The Courier Mail’s involvement in exposing corruption, but this being a television blog I believe it would be remiss not to acknowledge the seminal work of Chris Masters in the Four Corners report “The Moonlight State” which went to air in May 1987.