Abstract
In 2008, Australian viewing audiences were first introduced to the
factional television series, Underbelly, a show based loosely on the
so-called Melbourne gang-land war of 1995 - 2004. The airing of
Underbelly coincided with the real-time criminal trial of one of the
characters portrayed in the show, raising serious questions about due
process and trial by media. In this paper, we analyse these events
through the lens of some of the ‘true life characters’ represented in
Underbelly. Drawing upon in-depth interview data, we highlight the role
of the media in the construction of criminal ‘others’ and the impact of
this on public perception of crime, criminals and the criminal process.