Naked City: Hitmen – Tonight’s Episode Explores Australia’s Deadliest Contract Killers
Tonight, Channel 9 premieres the gripping new three-part documentary series Naked City: Hitmen, presented by veteran crime journalist John Silvester.
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Join NowAiring at 9:00 PM, the first episode dives deep into the chilling transformation of Melbourne’s underworld, tracing how small-time crooks evolved into ruthless, cold-blooded executioners during one of Australia’s most notorious gangland wars.
The series pulls back the curtain on the contractors who fueled the infamous Melbourne gangland conflict of the early 2000s—a bloody feud driven by drugs, power, and revenge.
It begins with the rise of Carl Williams, once a suburban pill-pusher, whose thirst for vengeance after surviving an attack sparked a lethal chain of events. Williams assembled a circle of deadly allies, turning petty thieves, armed robbers, and stick-up men into professional hitmen capable of calculated assassinations.
Viewers will encounter profiles of some of the most feared figures in Australian criminal history:
- Andrew “Benji” Veniamin: The volatile and explosive triggerman, serving as Carl Williams’ closest ally and a key player in multiple killings.
- Rodney Collins: Known for his methodical approach, a feared killer who operated with precision.
- Stephen Asling: The quiet, understated operator who blended into the background while executing deadly tasks.
- The Phantoms: Shadowy contract killers referred to only as “The Runner” and “The Driver,” whose identities and methods added layers of mystery to the war.
Drawing on never-before-seen evidence, secret police recordings, and insider accounts—including from key investigators like those in the Purana taskforce—the episode reveals the inner workings of hit teams.
It shows bugged conversations, planning sessions, and the moment violence erupts, highlighting how these men went from low-level crime to becoming prolific assassins.
Naked City: Hitmen offers a raw, unflinching look at the evolution of Australia’s guns-for-hire culture, exposing the human cost and investigative breakthroughs that eventually dismantled these networks. Don’t miss tonight’s premiere—it’s a landmark exploration of the dark side of Melbourne’s criminal underworld. Catch it on Channel 9 and stream on 9Now.
