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The Black Donnellys

2007Show1 season13 episodesTV-14

CrimeDrama
62
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Metacritic457.9Rotten Tomatoes38%100%

A brutally violent, tense drama series about crime and everyday modern life, with standout characters.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Shows with

Episodes

1 season · 13 episodes · best: S1E1 "Pilot" 8.6

Episodes

8.1

Story

Family above all.

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.

Feels like

  • Irish American Crime Saga
  • Brotherhood & Loyalty
  • Gritty Urban Drama
  • Organized Crime
  • Moral Decay
  • Family Dynamics
  • Intense & Violent
  • Character-Driven Narrative
  • Coming-of-Age Story

Cast

24 of 64 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Paul Haggis, Daniel Minahan, Bobby Moresco
Written by
Paul Haggis, Kim Clements, Bobby Moresco
Produced by
Rafael Alvarez, James Bigwood
Music by
Mark Isham

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

February 26, 2007 · May 14, 2007 · Ended

First aired
February 26, 2007
Last aired
May 14, 2007
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 13 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Drug Use
Genres
Drama, Crime
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
3 countries

Tropes

Comes Great Responsibility, Mama Bear, Time-Shifted Actor +9

  • Comes Great Responsibility
  • Mama Bear
  • Time-Shifted Actor
  • Retro Universe
  • First Girl Wins
  • Disposing of a Body
  • Violently Protective Girlfriend
  • Blatant Lies
  • Screwed by the Network
  • Four-Temperament Ensemble
  • Laser-Guided Karma
  • Mistaken Confession

12 of 52 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Black Donnellys?"

Questions about The Black Donnellys

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Black Donnellys?

PeacockXumo PlayPeacock Premium+

In the United States, The Black Donnellys streams on Peacock, and it is free with ads on Xumo Play. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 1 other country.

Is The Black Donnellys worth watching?

62
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 62 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 38%, and Metacritic 45). Audiences rate it higher (87 out of 100) than critics (42).

Is The Black Donnellys okay for kids?

TV-14ViolenceStrong languageDrug use

Better for older viewers: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, strong language, and drug use, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.

How long does it take to watch The Black Donnellys?

13 h

About 13 hours: 13 episodes in 1 season of about 60 minutes each, aired from 2007 to 2007.

Will I feel good after watching The Black Donnellys?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 6 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Is The Black Donnellys plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does The Black Donnellys use?

Comes Great ResponsibilityMama BearTime-Shifted ActorRetro UniverseFirst Girl WinsDisposing of a BodyViolently Protective GirlfriendBlatant LiesScrewed by the NetworkFour-Temperament EnsembleLaser-Guided KarmaMistaken Confessionand 40 more

TV Tropes lists 52 tropes for it, including Comes Great Responsibility, Mama Bear, and Time-Shifted Actor.