"The Black Donnellys" follows the story of four young Donnelly brothers -- Catholic Irish-American siblings in New York's infamous Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. The story is told by an unreliable narrator and Donnelly childhood friend named Joey 'Ice Cream' while being incarcerated. The series stars Jonathan Tucker, Thomas Guiry, Olivia Wilde, Billy Lush, Michael Stahl-David, Kirk Acevedo and Keith Nobbs. It was co-created by Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (best known for the movie "Crash").
The series debuted on NBC on February 26, 2007 and took the place of the troubled "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" on Monday nights. The series' initial half hour did well (10 million) but viewership fell off significantly in the second half hour (6 million). It never got any better.
NBC aired seven episodes but, with most of the rest of the network's schedule performing poorly, they had to drop it. They streamed the rest of the series online.
It's a real shame because "Donnellys" had some solid performances and interesting characters. If NBC had been doing better, they probably would have stuck with it and perhaps even renewed it for a second year. The Black Donnellys Season 1
The Black Donnellys is an amazing show that never should have been cancelled. The acting, writing and plotlines are outstanding. I was captivated by this show right from the pilot, and I'm not a huge fan of the mob genre. It is a shame that it was never allowed to reach the audience it should have. Throughout the season each episode just got better and better. This is a must have for anyone's collection.
The networks continue to pump junk down the throats of mind-numbed dumplings who I suppose want another season of Idol and more reality TV junk. Too bad for an excellent piece of work like TBD which captured a large audience, and treated them to a quality story, not one dumbed down and marketed for the soundbite and latte' crowd. Shame on NBC for not listening to their fans, and shame on any other network for not picking up a show that is sure to do nothing but grow a loyal and true audience. Kudos to the writes and the actors, but shame again on NBC.
When the pilot episode had aired, we were first engaged with a peculiar character named Joey "Ice Cream", who would later become the narrator for the rest of the story. He introduced us all to four Irish brothers, Jimmy, Tommy, Kevin and Sean Donnelly, who lived in the heart of Hell's Kitchen. Irish blood clashed with Italian blood.. and keeping the peace was quitely understood until one day. The Donnellys made a mistake by disrupting the peace and what was unknown to them.
As viewers, we were catapulted into a world of family hardships, corruption and misdoings. More characters were introduced, names that have become synonymous of characters in our own lives in one shape or form including: sweet Jenny and her father Mr. Reilly; Dokey Farrell, the brute and Irish bully; Nicky Cottero, the Italian rat; and the widowed Mrs. Donnelly, who only wanted to see her boys survive in a life of adversity. Throughout the season, we see the emotions erupt, motives unravel and suspicions revisited.
After viewing the second to last episode, we understand with clarity the core of the Donnelly family. Sean, the youngest, is clean of any misdoings and his brothers make sure that is how he stays.. innocent. Kevin acts as comic relief while being able to support his brothers both emotionally and physically. Jimmy is the oldest child, rough along the edges. He holds the family pride but is challenged with humility. Tommy is the strength of the family. He only does what he thinks will undo what is "wrong".. and realizes a world of manipulation and negotiation can only get you "right" for a period of time.
As the season drew to a close.. the second to last episode entitled "The Black Drop", was a rough and intense episode. With each episode we see the story escalate and the emotions heighten. With the final episode.. "Easy is the Way", The Black Donnellys will leave a lasting impression in your minds and your hearts.
The Black Donnellys is in my opinion the most amazing show on television. I say is because it's still on television on HDNet. Please check it out if you have that channel. You won't be disappointed. The cast is full of amazing actors and the crew are some of the best in the business. Buy the DVD collection when it comes out. You'll want it in your collection so you can watch it over and over whenever you want. And I guarantee that you'll want to.
Let me start by saying this. If Thomas Guiry (Jimmy Donnelly) does not get an Emmy nomination for Best Actor, he'll be robbed. The role of Jimmy Donnelly was a difficult, complex role to play and ran the gamut of emotions. Thomas Guiry had the role nailed from the first episode, and just got better and better with each one.
The same goes for Peter Greene (Dokey Farrell) and Kirk Acevedo (Nicky Cottero)in the Best Supporting Actor category. For Best Supporting Actress, Kate Mulgrew (Helen Donnelly) and Betsy Beutler (Jimmy's girlfriend Joanie) both turned in nomination worthy performances. In fact, this is the only show on TV this year that I can say every single cast member was great. There was not a bad performance by anyone, right down to smallest of roles. Other performers worth mentioning are Jonathan Tucker, who portrays the young, conflicted family leader Tommy Donnelly, and Billy Lush, whose subtle portrayal of Kevin Donnelly gets stronger and stronger with each episode as his character develops.
This is a "must have" DVD for those who appreciate a complex story that draws you in and leaves you wanting to knnow the next chapter.
This show has brought a lot of people together and I know that it's fans are truly in shock by NBC's descion. I decided to order this product because of the emails I get everyday asking me why they cancelled such an awesome show. I have really no news to say at the moment, but I know that one of my co-workers recently reunited with some of the crew to discuss season 2. I don't exactly know how that went because she hasn't emailed me back, nor have I heard anything from anyone else, but The Black Donnellys is one hell of show. Therefore, there is absolutly no reason why you shouldn't buy it.'
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