Underworld: Hegarty

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Name			Role		Billing	Ratings
Hegarty			Sinister Mystic		Star	60
Move	Def	Hits	Str	Agi	Int	Mor
6	4	3	3	4	5	5
Special Effects
Hypnotise (Dominate, Int vs Int, 2”) Luck (4) (re-rolls/game – max 1/turn) Leader (2) Energy Blast (Weapon) Teleportation(Instant move for 2 Actions, no successive teleport)
Weaver of Fates
Weapon		Range	Hit	Str	Notes
Brawl		Melee	3+	3	Stun
Energy Blast		12”	3+	4	High Calibre, 1 Hit or Stuns

Name			Role		Billing	Ratings
Slim Jim			Nasty Piece of Work		Co-Star	47
Move	Def	Hits	Str	Agi	Int	Mor
6	4	2	4	3	2	4
Special Effects
Luck (3) (re-rolls/game – max 1/turn) Fists of Fury (+1 Str for unarmed attacks) Concealment (cannot be targeted > Int*2” if in cover) Heroic Surge (free, extra, activation 1/game) Kung Fu Grip (extra to-hit die for unarmed attacks)
Weapon		Range	Hit	Str	Notes
Brawl		Melee	2+	4 (5)	Stun
Pistol		12”	2+	3	Pistol

Name			Role		Billing	Ratings
Baggie			Mad Scientist		Co-Star	68
Move	Def	Hits	Str	Agi	Int	Mor
6	3	2	3	4	5	4
Special Effects
Boffin (2) Luck (2) (re-rolls/game – max 1/turn) Sidekick (Hegarty) (activation if within 6” of activating ally) Vehicle (souped up Capri – typical car +2 speed)
Weapon		Range	Hit	Str	Notes
Brawl		Melee	6+	3	Stun
Alien Rifle (Hazel Wand)		32”	4+	4	High-Tech, Laser (Magic)

Name			Role		Billing	Ratings
Black Katz (*6)			Security Guards		Extra	7 (73)
Move	Def	Hits	Str	Agi	Int	Mor
6	3	1	3	3	3	2
Special Effects
Blocker (enemies cannot pass through 2” radius) Vehicle (Commer FC – Van)
Commander: Leader (1), Pistol, 5 Ratings
Weapon		Range	Hit	Str	Notes
Brawl		Melee	4+	3	Stuns
Rifle		24”	4+	3
Pistol		12”	4+	3	Pistol

Underworld ran for two series during the mid 70s. For its time it was a rather graphic and gory show and the famous hanged, drowned and burned baby scene was rightly censored. Also, the fact that the show had no real ‘goodies’ makes it unique for the era. The show was strongly criticised by writer Niel Knill who said, ‘What about some good witches?’

The public did not really take to it, and it was replaced by re-runs of the more palatable to 70s audiences US import, ‘Bewizened.’ However, over the years it has grown a cultish following, and now the consensus seems to be it was much underrated and somewhat ahead of its time. It is said to have been a strong influence on Joe Weeding’s Tufty the Werewolf Hunter. The series’ recent re-release on Blu-ray and its strong sales figures has prompted speculation that there may soon be a US re-make.

Pitched to ATV bosses by Gerry Notion as ‘What about a show where everyone is a baddie?’ Underworld revolved around the exploits of various rival witches mysteriously taken out of time from the London of 1645 and dropped into the present. The witches try to achieve power and influence while continuing their feuds with the other witches. The witches have a natural affinity for criminal gangs and organised crime and soon rise in the ranks of the London crime gangs, and so the gang wars of the London underworld are leant a certain magic and mystery.

Episodes especially highly rated among the Underworldies (as fans of the show call themselves) are Piccadilly Circe, The Witches of East Wickham, The Witch from Chigwell, Over the Edgeware Road, and Hansard and Gretl.

Hegarty and her Black Katz

Featuring in several episodes Hegarty is first seen already leading the Black Katz. How she got to be their leader is not covered. The Black Katz are a militant civil rights group prepared to resort to armed insurgency to enforce their rights but mostly they smuggle ‘merchandise’ and fight other crime gangs. Hegarty often uses the language of political activism to inspire and coerce her gang, but it is also never covered where she gets this sort of knowledge. Whereas most of the witches in the series use a largely modern vernacular liberally sprinkled with strange, supposedly 17^th century idoms, Hegarty speaks with an interesting, vaguely West  Indian accent (leading lady Benjie Floella was educated at Roedean and Cambridge).

The star member of the Black Katz is Slim Jim. He is a serious martial artist and always seems to be either just off to the gym or just getting back from there. Although the rest of the gang carry all sorts of weapons especially rifles, Jim relies on his bare hands and fighting prowess (although in one episode he is seen to be hiding a previously unknown pistol upon his person). Although little is seen on-screen, there are hints that Jim is at Hegarty’s beck and call, as if she had cast a spell on him.

Baggie is an old man whose main role in the Black Katz is to tell everyone what it was like back in the day, in Jamaica, and to work on his pride and joy, a Ford Capri, which he claims is the fastest Capri in south-east London. He carries an old brown leather bag around, hence his nickname. But we never get to find out what is in his bag. He also has a magic wand made from hazel, which presumably, was given to him by Hegarty. This fires a powerful magical bolt, usually much to Baggie’s surprise.

In the episode ‘Marks and Angles’ Hegarty casts a spell on a rival crime boss which makes him suddenly extremely public spirited and give away all his wealth. This causes him to lose respect around his manor and the Black Katz capitalise. At the last moment, Wicked Jennie turns up to break the spell and there is a mass gunfight in an abandoned warehouse.