NZ stars tipped for lead roles in hit Oz TV series

Danielle Cormack. Photo / Janna Dixon

Two Kiwi actresses are set for career-changing lead roles in the next series of Australia's Underbelly crime sagas.

Danielle Cormack and Chelsie Preston-Crayford are thought to be favourites to star in a diamonds-and-daggers tale of warring brothel owners set in the 1920s.

Underbelly: Razor - the fourth instalment in the hugely successful franchise - tells the story of two famed queens of Sydney's underworld, Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh.

The feud between Devine and Leigh led to bloody street battles as the madams' gangs fought over prostitution, sly-grog and cocaine-dealing enterprises.

Since appearing on Gloss, Cormack has been a familiar face on New Zealand stage and screen. Her credits include Separation City, The Price of Milk and The Cult.

Aucklander Preston-Crayford has received rave reviews for her theatre work. She has acted on the big screen opposite Martin Henderson in the war memoir, Home by Christmas, directed by her mother, Gaylene Preston.

Des Monaghan, executive producer of production company Screentime Australia, the makers of Underbelly, said New Zealand actors were up for lead roles but refused to reveal names, saying it was up to broadcaster, the Nine Network, to announce the casting.

Monaghan worked in TV production in New Zealand, co-founding South Pacific Pictures before moving to Australia.

He said he always auditioned here for new shows.

"New Zealand has got some extremely talented actors," he said.

Previous Underbelly series have featured Kiwi actors Roy Billing and Anna Hutchinson.

Filming on Underbelly: Razor is due to start in Australia in early April.