The ugly truth behind Underbelly Razor

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE. Watch the first scenes that have been released of the incredible new series of Underbelly set in the 1920's. VISION: CHANNEL 9

Art imitates life ... Danielle Cormack who plays Kate Leigh / Pic: Channel 9 Source: The Daily Telegraph

Art imitates life ... Chelsie Crayford portraying Tilly Devine / Pic: Channel 9 Source: The Daily Telegraph

Sydney underbelly ... Anna McGahan plays the role of Nellie Cameron / Pic: David Parker Source: The Daily Telegraph

Razor gang ... filming of the next series of Underbelly at Sydney's Central Station. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph

Confidential?s Marcus Casey chats with the stars of the latest Underbelly series at the season launch in Kings Cross

Chelsie Crayford in her role as Tilly Devine, and inset, the real Tilly Devine. Picture: Channel Nine Source: news.com.au

Real-life ... Tilly Devine, the queen of Sydney's underworld in the 1920s. Source: The Daily Telegraph

She meant business ... Kathleen Leigh, better known as Kate Leigh. Source: The Daily Telegraph

One tough woman ... Nellie Cameron, Sydney underworld figure. Source: The Daily Telegraph

• Tweaked casting to add prettier faces
• Wanted to sell sexier version to advertisers
• See the exclusive Underbelly Razor promo

IT'S the ugly truth behind Nine's new Underbelly Razor war story.

A week before the latest instalment of the series debuts, Nine bosses confessed they tweaked the casting to put a prettier face on the femme fatale series.

While mug shots of Sydney's most notorious criminals from the roaring '20s were used to hire actors resembling the hard men, the female leads went to Kiwi beauties Chelsie Preston Crayford and Danielle Cormack.

Nine boss David Gyngell sold the sexier version to advertisers as part of the network's push to get Underbelly the right attention.

Photos from the time show real-life crime queens Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh were hardly the stuff of cinematic close-ups.

While renowned for their indulgence in the latest clothing and dazzling jewels, they were as harsh looking as they were hard-nosed.

Luxe costuming and period-perfect hair and make-up have helped transport Crayford and Cormack back to the time of silk stockings, kiss curls and powdered "china dolls".

By comparison some of the male casting reflects an uncanny likeness to the real crooks who would become underworld legends.

It follows the Underbelly tradition of art imitating life, with Gyton Grantley making his name as Carl Williams in the first series, while Firass Dirani passed as John Ibrahim in last year's Golden Mile.

The series premieres next Sunday night at 8.30pm on Channel 9.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/the-ugly-truth-behind-underbelly-razor/story-e6frfmyi-1226114318517?from=public_rss

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