Fat Tony & Co

Fat Tony & Co is a Nine Network's gritty crime drama series, initially aired in 2014, that brings to small screen the intriguing and controversial true story of one of Australia's most notorious criminals, Tony Mokbel. The series was lauded for its authentic portrayal of the notorious crime figure and managed to captivate audiences right from the initial episodes.

The series is a standalone spin-off from the highly acclaimed Underbelly franchise, specifically from Underbelly: The Golden Mile, continuing the narrative of the criminal underworld of Australia. What sets this series apart is its exclusive focus on Tony Mokbel, also known as "Fat Tony", and the vast empire he built which earned him both fame and notoriety.

The title character, Anthony 'Fat Tony' Mokbel, is played by actor Robert Mammone, who previously portrayed the same character in Underbelly: The Golden Mile. Mokbel is depicted as a larger-than-life figure, a man who leveraged his ruthless aggression and keen business sense to dominate and drive the illicit drug trade in Melbourne while managing to evade the claws of justice through an intricate array of legal and illegal tactics.

Centring the plot around Mokbel, Fat Tony & Co also encompasses a collection of real-life figures in Australia's criminal world. From his criminal associates to law enforcement officials trying to bring him down, all the characters in the series are based on real people that were part of Mokbel's life. This makes the series grounded in the reality of the Melbourne underworld, providing audiences with a somewhat disturbing voyeuristic look into an illicit empire that thrived right under the noses of the public and justice system.

The narrative structure of Fat Tony & Co is linear, following Mokbel's rise to power in the 90s, his captivating escape to Greece and his ultimate capture in Athens in 2007. Throughout the series, the writers have done an incredible job in portraying the human side of Tony, who, despite his criminal activities, had a complex personality filled with conflicting traits and emotions. This multi-dimensional portrayal makes Mokbel a compelling character to watch, someone whose actions, albeit despicable, are intriguing and captivating.

Interwoven with high tension events, the series delves deep into Mokbel's personal life as well, exploring his fraught relationships and his complicated love life which was as tumultuous as his criminal career. These sub-plots provide layers to the show, allowing it to avoid the pitfall of becoming just another one-dimensional crime series.

Critically, Fat Tony & Co has been appreciated for its attention to detail and accurate depiction of real-life events. The crimes, locales, and the socio-political climate of the time have been recreated meticulously. This dedication to authenticity drives the narrative and keeps the audience on the edge, despite the infamous fate of Mokbel being widely known.

The performances by Robert Mammone and others in Fat Tony & Co are remarkably convincing. Mammone reprises his role as Mokbel with aplomb, depicting the character's arrogance, charm and desperation with equal intensity. Other cast members, such as Les Hill, Madeleine West and Hollie Andrew, play their parts with equal grace and intensity, bringing to life the darker side of Australia's social scene.

The series has been directed by Peter Andrikidis and Andrew Prowse, who have managed to create a gripping television drama, masterfully combining elements of suspense, action, and emotional depth. With a high-quality production aesthetic, Fat Tony & Co is a visually engaging series characterised by a dark yet realistic colour palette that sets the tone for the stiff narrative.

If you are a fan of crime drama and based on real-life events, Fat Tony & Co is definitely a show worth exploring. Through its unflinching portrayal of one of Australia's most notorious criminals and the labyrinthine world he inhabited, it offers a captivating blend of crime, power, and human frailty. It is an incredibly engaging show that will keep viewers enthralled, every step of Mokbel's wild journey.