STAR turn … Underbelly actors Simon Westaway, left, and Damian Walshe-Howling are in Queensland for the NRA Fashion Design awards and Monday’s Magic Millions raceday. Picture: Adam Smith
Simon Westaway (Mick Gatto) and Damian Walshe-Howling (Andrew ‘Benji’ Veniamin)
IT was the perfect scene — a casino penthouse, showgirls in beaded bras and plumed headdresses and the haunting strains of The Godfather theme being played on a white grand piano.
It was only fitting, then, that two of the Melbourne underworld’s most notorious gangsters, or at least the actors playing them in a top-rating TV drama, make their debut on the Gold Coast.
Underbelly actors Simon Westaway (who plays underworld kingpin Mick Gatto) and Damian Walshe-Howling (underworld hit man Andrew ‘Benji’ Veniamin) were yesterday introduced to the media at Jupiters casino.
The explosive Channel Nine drama, the number one rating program on the Gold Coast, has given birth to a resurgence of interest in Australian-made drama after a long, dry spell.
Oblivious of the attention, Walshe-Howling said playing real people carried with it great responsibility.
“A real person, even one who is dead, has family and friends who are all alive,” he said.
Underbelly actors Simon Westaway, who plays underworld kingpin Mick Gatto, and Damian Walshe-Howling, hitman Andrew `Benji’ Veniamin, on the Coast yesterday
Gotta say. Off and a gent. Was fab!! Thumbs up big time. Sat in the 2nd row saw it all !! Go see!!!
@tvwesty enjoy! Am jealous
@tvwesty nope. I'm in Melbourne at the boxing with @WillTomlinsonAU @SCrawf9 and Mick!
Did a 6am yoga class in manly !! Feeling very good!!
