best episodes of The Black Donnellys poster

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.

1 Seasons
13 Episodes
Ended
Drama Crime
Cast & Characters
episode image Pilot
8.6/10 (450 votes)

#1 Pilot

S1:E1

Jimmy's plan to help his brother Kevin out of gambling debt with a truckload of stolen designer shirts backfires, forcing the two to kidnap local mob boss Sal Minnetta's nephew Louie. When Sal's right-hand-man Nicky Cottero decides to take the matters into his own hands, it's up to Tommy, the brainy one of the Donnelly brothers, to choose between fighting for his family and life as an honest man.

episode image The Black Drop
8.2/10 (124 votes)

#2 The Black Drop

S1:E12

Tommy makes a deal with Nicky for the identity of his father's killer. When Dokey humiliates Jimmy, Tommy and Kevin retaliate. Jenny finds closure concerning her missing husband.

episode image A Stone of the Heart
7.8/10 (207 votes)

#3 A Stone of the Heart

S1:E2

As the Donnellys learn Sean's condition, Jimmy stews in a holding cell. Tommy finds comfort in Jenny Reilly. Nicky Cottero seizes control of the Italian mob.

episode image The World Will Break Your Heart
7.7/10 (178 votes)

#4 The World Will Break Your Heart

S1:E4

Kate stuns Tommy, asking him to host Huey's wake at the Donnelly's bar. With the taps drained, Kevin and Joey Ice Cream go on a mission to find alcohol, while Jimmy raises Dokey's suspicions.

episode image God Is a Comedian Playing to an Audience Afraid to Laugh
0.0/10

#5 God Is a Comedian Playing to an Audience Afraid to Laugh

S1:E3

After losing his health coverage, Sean is transferred to the psych ward. Jimmy convinces Kevin to bail him out. Tommy deals with guilt over taking the lives of Sal and Huey.

episode image Lies
0.0/10

#6 Lies

S1:E5

Hoping to collect the Donnellys' debt, Nicky threatens their mom, Helen. Sean comes home; Jimmy and Joey collect Louie Downtown's payments; Tommy takes a bribe.

episode image Run Like Hell
0.0/10

#7 Run Like Hell

S1:E6

Tommy gets pulled into Jimmy and Kevin's bookmaking action when he realizes the guy about to get busted for not paying is his friend Maxwell.

episode image The Only Thing Sure
0.0/10

#8 The Only Thing Sure

S1:E7

As Jimmy protects Sean, Tommy joins forces with Kevin to collect vig. Jenny struggles to maintain the family's diner and watch over her ailing father.

episode image In Each One a Savior
0.0/10

#9 In Each One a Savior

S1:E8

Emerging as head of the 'hood, Tommy gets scammed while trying to evict drug dealers. Jimmy demands payment from Jenny; Nicky learns the Donnellys are behind Louie Downtown's disappearance.

episode image All of Us Are in the Gutter
0.0/10

#10 All of Us Are in the Gutter

S1:E9

Kate helps Tommy get a job at an art studio. Nicky proposes a partnership with the Donnellys, but he'll only deal with Tommy, which infuriates Jimmy.

episode image When the Door Opens
0.0/10

#11 When the Door Opens

S1:E10

Dokey tests his partnership with the Donnellys by asking them to clear out a building of junkies. Forced to come to Kevin's rescue, Tommy inadvertently commits murder.

episode image Wasn't That Enough?
0.0/10

#12 Wasn't That Enough?

S1:E11

Reilly asks for help after he's ordered to vacate his building, prompting Tommy to uncover hidden family history. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Joanie struggle to situate Whitey's body.

episode image Easy Is the Way
0.0/10

#13 Easy Is the Way

S1:E13

Tommy and Jimmy have two different ideas on how to save the Donnellys. Tommy hatches a plan to get the family, along with Jenny and Joanie, out of town.

Cast & Chracters

character image Tommy Donnelly

Tommy Donnelly

Actor: Jonathan Tucker
character image Jimmy Donnelly

Jimmy Donnelly

Actor: Tom Guiry
character image Jenny Reilly

Jenny Reilly

Actor: Olivia Wilde
character image Kevin Donnelly

Kevin Donnelly

Actor: Billy Lush
character image Sean Donnelly

Sean Donnelly

Actor: Michael Stahl-David
character image Nicky Cottero

Nicky Cottero

Actor: Kirk Acevedo
character image Joey 'Ice Cream'

Joey 'Ice Cream'

Actor: Keith Nobbs
character image Derek 'Dokey' Farrell

Derek 'Dokey' Farrell

Actor: Peter Greene
character image Vinnie Culiari

Vinnie Culiari

Actor: Brian Tarantina
character image Earl

Earl

Actor: Patrick Brennan

The highest rated episode of The Black Donnellys is "Pilot" (S1E1) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 450 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The World Will Break Your Heart" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 178 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Pilot" (S1E1) with a rating of 8.60.

This episode received 450 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "The World Will Break Your Heart" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.70.

This episode received 178 votes.

Name Department Job
Rick Butler Art Production Design
Alexa L. Fogel Production Casting
Bobby Moresco Production Executive Producer
Dana Maksimovich Production Co-Producer
Denise Pleune Production Associate Producer
James Bigwood Production Producer
Jeff King Production Supervising Producer
Kim Clements Production Co-Producer
Mark R. Harris Production Co-Executive Producer
Paul Haggis Production Executive Producer
Rafael Alvarez Production Producer
Sean Whitesell Production Co-Executive Producer
Mark Isham Sound Original Music Composer

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