Fed: Faces to watch on the box in 2010

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2009
Fed: Faces to watch on the box in 2010

By Katherine Field, National Entertainment Writer

SYDNEY, AAP - A new crop of Underbelly stars will step into the limelight in 2010 to
bare their flesh for the third series of the crime drama.

Among them are rising stars Emma Booth and Firass Dirani as well as former Neighbours
actor Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

TV cooks are also set to heat up the screen.

Last year's MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow will get her own TV show, called Poh's
Kitchen, while chefs Pete Evans and Manu Feildel will star in the Seven Network's new
series My Kitchen Rules.

Veteran sports presenter Les Murray will bring the much anticipated soccer World Cup
action to Australians in June and July.

Meanwhile, 2009's Gold Logie winner Rebecca Gibney will expand her role in a telemovie
The Maria Korp Case: The Woman In The Boot Story, while veteran actor Richard Roxburgh
will portray Bob Hawke in an another anticipated TV movie.

Shaun Micallef could become the next Rove McManus for Network Ten, while film star
Russell Crowe will move to television to host a TV series about sport, and former swim
star Hayley Lewis joins The Biggest Loser.

Actor Adam Zwar will be one to watch in a new comedy about a tabloid columnist.

Hosts of the ABC new kids' channel ABC3, Amberley Lobo and Kayne Tremills, are among
the newcomers, as are new MTV VJ Erin McNaught and fresh Channel V talent Billy Russell.

EMMA BOOTH

The rising star will play prostitute turned policewoman Kim Hollingsworth in the third
series of hit gangland crime drama Underbelly.

The raunchy role will feature many sex scenes and nudity, with The Boys Are Back star
expected to become one of the biggest TV names of the year.

NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE

The former Neighbours star will portray Jayne Haken, the wife of crooked cop Trevor Haken.

It's her largest TV acting role since she left Neighbours in 2006.

The pop star will also host a third series of So You Think You Can Dance Australia
on Network Ten.

FIRASS DIRANI

The 25-year-old actor will be the the main star of Underbelly, portraying night club
baron John Ibrahim.

The good looking Lebanese Australian actor is being dubbed the next big thing in the
local industry.

He impressed this year in the film The Combination.

POH LING YEOW

She may have finished runner-up on MasterChef Australia, but South Australian artist
Poh Ling Yeow will be a winner in 2010 with her own cooking show.

Poh's Kitchen will air on the ABC with Poh travelling across the country trying out new recipes.

PETE EVANS and MANU FEILDEL

The super chefs will host Seven's new cooking series My Kitchen Rules.

The duo will give their verdict as two teams transform their homes into restaurants
for one night.

REBECCA GIBNEY

The Packed To The Rafters star will expand her presence on the box next year, in a
more hard edged role, in a telemovie for The Nine Network called The Maria Korp story.

The movie is based on the real-life love triangle and death of Korp in 2005.

Vince Colosimo plays her husband Joe.

Gibney, 2009's Gold Logie winner, will also feature prominently in Packed To The Rafters
as the drama focuses on life with her new baby Ruby Louise.

Gibney will have a good shot at the Gold Logie again in 2010.

LES MURRAY

The veteran sports presenter will host Australia's coverage of the 2010 World Cup,
from South Africa, in June and July.

Murray has covered all of the Socceroos' World Cup campaigns since 1986.

In 2010 he'll celebrate 20 years at SBS.

SHAUN MICALLEF

The funnyman's presence at Network Ten is expected to grow next year.

He'll return to host the high rating pop culture program Talkin' Bout Your Generation.

But it's also rumoured he is being primed for a variety-style program, to fill the
void left by the departure of Rove McManus' chat show Rove.

RICHARD ROXBURGH

The acclaimed actor will take on former prime minister Bob Hawke in an anticipated
telemovie on Network Ten.

Called Hawke, it'll depict Hawke as he goes from heavy drinking union leader to polished
politician.

Asher Keddie will play Blanche D'Apulget while Rachael Blake will star as Hazel Hawke.

ADAM ZWAR

The AFI award-winning actor will star in a new ABC comedy about a tabloid newspaper
columnist, called Lowdown.

Zwar a former celebrity columnist is best known for co-writing and co-starring in the
SBS TV show Wilfred.

Zwar is also a co-writer of Lowdown.

It's expected to be a big hit for the ABC in 2010, and Zwar is set to become the next
big name in Australian comedy.



HAYLEY LEWIS

The former swimming champion will become the new host of Network Ten's reality weight
loss program The Biggest Loser.

She replaces former host Ajay Rochester, who's trying her luck in the US.

RUSSELL CROWE

Crowe will host and produce a reality series about elite sports stars, called Damage Control.

The sports mad film star will give viewers a look at the work done by medical experts
helping stars with injuries.

ERIN MCNAUGHT

The model will enter the television world as the newest VJ on MTV, joining Ruby Rose
and Darren McMullen.

Unknown presenter Billy Russell joins the rival Channel V lineup.

AMBERLEY LOBO and KAYNE TREMILLS

The hip youngsters are set to see their profiles soar thanks to their hosting roles
on the ABC's new kids' channel, ABC3.

AAP kaf/it/mn

KEYWORD: YEARENDER TV FACES

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.