Tonight, NBC is showing an encore presentation of the pilot for “The Black Donnellys.” Here’s how the network describes the crime drama:
Meet the Donnelly brothers: Tommy, Jimmy, Kevin and Sean. There is nothing these four Irish brothers wouldn’t do to protect each other, and for them that means lying, cheating, stealing and, occasionally, calling the cops. Narrated by wannabe gangster Joey “Ice Cream,” this gritty series bears witness to the Donnelly brothers’ sudden involvement in organized crime, focusing on how they go from boys to mobsters, and showing how their new life affects their relationships with friends, family and lovers.
Paul Haggis, who wrote “Crash,” “Casino Royale” and “Flags of Our Fathers,” and Bobby Moresco, who produced “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby,” serve as the show’s executive producers. Haggis also directed the first three episodes.
The pilot is strong. With four brothers around the same age, it was a bit tough at the start figuring out who is who. But by the midpoint of the episode, everything falls into place.
The show is about organized crime, so it’s darker than your normal network fare. It might eventually carry the torch once “The Sopranos” is done for good. Like it’s predecessor, “The Black Donnellys” has a sense of humor. And with Haggis and Moresco on board, the show has a chance.
