The Black Donnellys followed the story of four young brothers — Catholic Irish-American siblings in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. The story was told by unreliable narrator and Donnelly childhood friend Joey “Ice Cream” while being incarcerated. The series starred Jonathan Tucker, Thomas Guiry, Olivia Wilde, Billy Lush, Michael Stahl-David, Kirk Acevedo and Keith Nobbs. It was created by Crash’s Paul Haggis and Robert Moresco.
This gritty drama debuted on February 26, 2007 on NBC and replaced the struggling Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The initial episode lost almost 40% of its viewers by the end of the episode and things didn’t get any better for subsequent episodes. It seemed that NBC really wanted to stick with the series but most of the rest of their schedule was performing poorly and the network pulled it after six episodes.
NBC streamed the rest of the episodes online and cable’s HDNet has started airing the complete series. Unfortunately, the show isn’t available to many people who followed the series on NBC — until now.
It’s been announced that The Black Donnellys: The Complete Series is coming to DVD on September 4th. All 13 episodes will be included on the 3-disc set, including the third episode (“God Is a Comedian Playing to an Audience Afraid to Laugh”) that was deemed too violent for network television. At least one deleted scene will also be included on the set.
Though the series won’t be returning for a second season, at least more people will have an opportunity to see how the explosive first season ended. Stay tuned!
Other than including deleted scenes and the episode “God Is A Comedian” I haven’t heard of any other extras. Hopefully there will be more! Not everyone has given up hope for getting a second season since a group is trying to get HBO interested. Please visit http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net and “The Firecrackers” section at http://thefirecrackerlounge.com/firecracker/index.php to find out more information and how you can help this great show have another chance!
The Black Donnellys is a great drama that wasn’t marketed well, placed in a dreadful time slot and at a time many shows went on hiatus. TBD didn’t have a chance from the beginning.
The fans are currently campaigning to bring TBD back on another network; specifically HBO! It would be a great fit! We have a petition with over 36,000 signatures at http://www.petitionspot.com. Visit http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net to see our efforts to bring the Donnelly boys back!
the black donnellys is great t.v., we need more of this kind of excellent writing, directing, acting etc. on t.v. – no more reality shows. looking forward to the dvd’s and hoping we get a 2nd season!
I’m so thrilled this outstanding series is coming out on DVD. It is the best drama to come along in years. It’s too bad NBC couldn’t see the forest for the trees. The loyal fans of TBD saw it immediately. Hopefully, another network will give us Season 2.
Such a wonderful show. NBC blew it. Glad to see the DVD coming.
I have already pre-ordered two copies.. one for my personal collection and one as a gift. September 4th couldn’t come soon enough.
And I agree.. the finale was definitely explosive! I’m sure more people would enjoy the series if they got the chance to watch it in its entirety.
Any word about special features heading to the DVD?
I think they would have run out with the amazing amount of extra content on the NBC website.